Installing Clone Systems With an Initial Installation

You can install a master system with a flash archive for an initial installation by using any installation method: Oracle Solaris installation program, JumpStart, Live Upgrade, or WAN boot. All files are overwritten. The Flash Archive installation is a five-part process.

1. Install the master system.

   You select a system and use any of the Oracle Solaris installation methods to install the Oracle Solaris OS and any other software.

2. (Optional) Prepare customization scripts to reconfigure or customize the clone system before or after installation.

3. Create the flash archive.

   The flash archive contains a copy of all of the files on the master system, unless you excluded some nonessential files.

4. Install the flash archive on clone systems.

   The master system and the clone system must have the same kernel architecture. For further information, see How to Install a Sun4U Flash Archive on a Sun 4V Machine.

   When you install the flash archive on a system, all of the files in the archive are copied to that system. The newly installed system now has the same installation configuration as the original master system, which is why it is called a clone system. Some customization is possible:

   • Scripts can be used for customization.

   • You can install extra packages with a flash archive by using the JumpStart installation method. The packages must be from outside the software group being installed or a third-party package.

5. (Optional) Save a copy of the master image.

   If you plan to create a differential archive, the master image must be available and identical to the image installed on the clone systems.

For step-by-step instructions, see Installing the Master System.

The following figure shows an installation of clone systems with an initial installation. All files are overwritten.

Figure 1-1 Solaris Flash Initial Installation