Planning the Creation of a Web Start Flash Archive

After you install the master system, the next task in the Web Start Flash installation process is to create a Web Start Flash archive. All of the files on the master system are copied to a Web Start Flash archive along with various pieces of identification information. You can create a Web Start Flash archive while the master system is running in multiuser mode or single-user mode. You can also create a Web Start Flash archive after you boot from one of the following:

• Solaris 9 DVD

• Solaris 9 Software 1 of 2 CD

• An image of the Solaris 9 Software and the Solaris 9 Languages CDs

Create the archive when the system is in as static a state as possible.

Archive Identification Information

A Web Start Flash archive contains archive identification information in addition to the actual files from the master system that will be installed on the clone systems. You are required to specify a name for the Web Start Flash archive. Other information that you can specify about the archive includes:

• The author of the archive

• The date the archive was created

• The name of the master system that you used to create the archive

For a complete list of the archive identification information that you can specify, refer to "Identification Section Keywords".

Use the flar command to retrieve information about the archive. For detailed instructions, refer to "flar".

Where to Store the Web Start Flash Archive

After you create the Web Start Flash archive, you can save the archive on the hard disk of the master system or on a tape. After you save the archive, you can copy it to any file system or media that you choose.

• Network File System (NFS)

• HTTP server

• FTP server

• Tape

• CD, DVD

• Diskette

• Local drive of clone system that you want to install

Compressing the Archive

When you create the Web Start Flash archive, you can specify that the archive be saved as a compressed file by using the compress(1)utility. An archive that is compressed requires smaller disk storage space and creates less congestion when you install the archive over a network.