Linux OS Installation and Network Configuration Worksheet

Use the following worksheet to gather the information that you need to configure the Linux operating system. You only need to collect the information that applies to your application of the system.

Information for Installation

Description or Example

Your Answers: Defaults are noted with an asterisk. (*)

Language

Choose from the list of available languages for the Linux software.

English*

Locale

Choose your geographic region from the list of available locales.

English (C - 7-bit ASCII)*

Terminal

Choose the type of terminal that you are using from the list of available terminal types.

Network Connection

Is the system connected to a network?

  • Networked

  • Non-networked*

MAC addresses assigned to ports on Network Express Modules (NEM)s and PCI-e ExpressModules (EMs)

For additional information about how NEM and EM Data Port MAC Addresses are assigned , see About the NEM and EM External Data Port MAC Addresses.

If the system is networked, you will need to know the MAC address for each NEM port and EM port connected to a network. You can determine the MAC address for the:

  • NEM Ports. Locate the starting MAC address for all 20 NEM ports on the NEM board. The starting MAC address is printed on yellow label near the connector. If the NEM is installed in the chassis, you will need to remove the NEM from the chassis to view the MAC address. For details about gathering NEM MAC address, see Add Network Express Module (NEM).

  • EM Ports. Locate the two EM port MAC addresses printed on the EM board. You will need to remove the EM from the chassis and remove the cover on the EM to view these addresses. For more about removing the EM cover, see Add PCIe ExpressModule (EM).

    For information about removing EMs and NEMs when the system is powered on, see the service hotplug procedures.

Note

During the Linux system configuration, you will be asked to configure network interfaces from a list of Linux-named network interfaces. If you are unsure of how a Linux-named network interface corresponds to a physical port, you can match the Linux-named interface to the physical port by using the MAC address. Further instructions are provided in the RHEL4 or SLES9 installation procedures.

  • Identify the primary networked port and any other networked ports

DHCP

Can the system use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to configure its network interfaces?

  • Yes

  • No*

If you are not using DHCP, note the network address:

IP address

If you are not using DHCP, supply the IP address for the system.

Example: 129.200.9.1

Subnet

If you are not using DHCP, is the system part of a subnet?

If yes, what is the netmask of the subnet?

Example: 255.255.255.0

IPv6

Do you want to enable IPv6 on this machine?

  • Yes

  • No*

Host name

A host name that you choose for the system.

Kerberos

Do you want to configure Kerberos security on this machine?

Name service: if the system uses a name service, provide the following information

Name service

Which name service should this system use?

  • NIS+

  • NIS

  • DNS

  • LDAP

  • None*

Domain name

Provide the name of the domain in which the system resides.

NIS+ and NIS

Do you want to specify a name server or let the installation program find one?

  • Specify One

  • Find One*

DNS

Provide IP addresses for the DNS server. You must enter at least one IP address, but you can enter up to three addresses.

You can also enter a list of domains to search when a DNS query is made.

Search Domain:

Search Domain:

Search Domain:

LDAP

Provide the following information about your LDAP profile:

Profile name:

Profile server:

Provide the following information about your LDAP profile:

Proxy-Bind Distinguished Name:

Proxy-Bind Password:

Default route

Do you want to specify a default route IP address or let the Linux installation program find one?

The default route provides a bridge that forwards traffic between two physical networks. An IP address is a unique number that identifies each host on a network.

You have the following choices:

  • You can specify the IP address. An /etc/defaultrouter file is created with the specified IP address. When the system is rebooted, the specified IP address becomes the default route.

  • You can let the Linux installation program detect an IP address. However, the system must be on a subnet that has a router that advertises itself by using the ICMP router discovery protocol. If you are using the command-line interface, the software detects an IP address when the system is booted.

  • You can choose None if you do not have a router or do not want the software to detect an IP address at this time. The software automatically tries to detect an IP address on reboot.

  • Specify One

  • Detect One

  • None*

Time zone

How do you want to specify your default time zone?

  • Geographic region*

  • Offset from GM

  • Time zone file

Root password

Choose a root password for the system.