Assisted OS Installation With Sun Installation Assistant (SIA)

SIA makes operating system installation easy. With SIA, all you need to begin is a licensed copy of Linux or Windows OS distribution media supported for your server. All software and required server-specific drivers are supplied by SIA. With a graphical wizard interface and flexible installation options, SIA brings simplicity, speed, and reliability to your server deployments.

To use SIA, simply boot the SIA program from the server's CD drive, a USB flash drive, or from a network image. Check for the latest SIA updates available. Select your OS distribution from the menu and follow the on-screen instructions. SIA scans your system to ensure that it has the drivers it needs to configure your server components[1]. It also provides you the option of having SIA check for the latest drivers available. SIA will prompt you for the appropriate media as needed and any other required information during the OS installation process (such as license keys).

Topics discussed in this chapter include:

• SIA Task Overview

• How to Obtain SIA

• SIA Documentation Resources

SIA Task Overview

You can perform the following tasks using SIA:

• Perform an assisted installation of a Linux or Windows operating system on your server. SIA provides the appropriate drivers and platform-specific software, eliminating the need to create a separate driver disk.

• Optionally create RAID-1 volumes on internal storage devices.

• Optionally upgrade your system Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manger (ILOM) service processor (SP), BIOS, and storage device firmware (regardless of the OS on your server).

• Optionally update your SIA session with the latest firmware and drivers.

• Optionally recover from a corrupt or inaccessible ILOM service processor.

How to Obtain SIA

SIA is provided with most server platforms on the SIA DVD. It is also available as a web download. Regular updates are made available to ensure that the latest OS versions are supported. To download the latest version of SIA for your server platform, refer to the SIA information page at:

http://www.sun.com/systemmanagement/sia.jsp

SIA Documentation Resources

If you have determined that you want to install a Windows or Linux operating system on your x86 server using SIA, refer to the following resources for detailed installation instructions and forum discussions.

• Sun Installation Assistant 2.3 Through 2.4 User’s Guide for x64 Systems, 821-0694

  http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/prod/install.x64svr

• Sun BigAdmin Feature Article: How to Use the Sun Installation Assistant

  http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/features/articles/install_assistant.jsp