Install SLES9 or SLES10 via PXE Network Environment

This topic describes how to install SLES9-SP3 (or later) over an established PXE-based network environment using an AutoYaST control file.

Novell AutoYaST is a method for installing one or more SUSE Linux systems automatically and with minimal user intervention. You must perform AutoYaST installations using a control file containing both installation and configuration data. For more information about creating the AutoYaST control file and applying it to a YaST installation, consult Novell's documentation (http://www.novell.com).

The following procedure documents the initial steps you must perform to install SUSE Linux over the network using an AutoYaST control file. Specifically, this procedure explains the steps for selecting the PXE network interface card that has been configured to communicate over the same network as your AutoYaST install server.

Note

If you are using Sun-provided SLES9 CDs, you must upgrade the SLES9 operating system with Service Pack 3 (or later) immediately after completing the installation.

Before You Begin

The following procedure to install SLES9-SP3 (or later) using a AutoYaST file requires you to have:

  • AutoYaST Network Installation Environment. Information concerning how to properly set up and deploy a AutoYaST network installation environment is outside the scope of this installation guide.

  • Network Prerequisites. Some of the prerequisites for performing the network installation using a AutoYaST image include:

    • A boot server on the same Ethernet segment

    • An AutoYaST installation server properly configured

    • AutoYaST file must specify screen resolution settings for 1024x768. You can use kernel argument "vga=791" to set the required resolution.

    • AutoYaST file must be preconfigured with the ACPI driver enabled to support hot plug operations. For more information, see Post Linux Installation Requirement for Hot Plug.

  • Novell Documentation. Refer to the instructions in the Novell AutoYast installation documentation for setting up and configuring a AutoYaST network installation.

What to Do

Follow these steps to install SLES9-SP3 via AutoYaST:

  1. Reset the Sun Blade Server Module, for example:

    • From the ILOM web interface, select Reset on the Remote Power Control tab.

      or

    • Press the Power button (momentary, 1 second) on the front panel of the blade to turn off the blade, then press the Power button (momentary, 1 second) to turn on the blade.

    The BIOS screen appears.

    Note

    The next events occur very quickly; therefore, focused attention is needed for these steps. Please watch carefully for the messages as they appear on the screen for a brief time. You may want to enlarge the size of your screen to eliminate scroll bars.

  2. Press F8 to specify the temporary boot device.

    The Please Select Boot Device menu appears listing the available boot device.

  3. In the Please Select Boot Device menu, select the appropriate PXE install boot device. The PXE install boot device is the physical network port configured to communicate with your network install server.

    Tip

    You can determine the PXE interface boot device by (1) matching the PXE:Slot# (listed on the Please Select Boot Device menu) with the physical labeled NEM or EM slot number on the chassis, and (2) matching the F# (listed on the Please Select Boot Device menu) with the physical labeled NIC port number on the NEM (0.0 to 9.1) or EM (1 or 0). For more information about chassis slot locations and connections, see About External I/O Ports and Power Inlets

    Note

    The configuration shown on the following Please Select Boot Device menu is an example. The configuration shown on this menu may not match the configuration listed on your menu.

    The network bootloader loads and a boot prompt appears. Wait for the five second time-out and the installation kernel will begin to load.

    After a few seconds the installation program will load.

    The SUSE Linux Novell License Agreement screen appears.

  4. In the SUSE Linux Novell License Agreement screen, click Accept.

    The SuSE YaST installation program initializes. The YaST graphical installation screen appears.

    Depending on the AutoYaST file configuration, the YaST Language Selection screen may appear.

  5. If the YaST Language Selection screen appears, specify which language to use.

    Depending on the AutoYaST file configuration, the YaST Installation Mode screen may appear.

  6. If the YaST Installation Mode screen appears, select New Installation, then click OK to continue.

    The system's hardware is detected. The YaST Installation Settings screen appears.

  7. In the YaST Installation Settings screen, do the following:

    1. Click the Partitioning option.

    2. Select Create Custom Partition and click OK.

    3. Partition as appropriate.

      Refer to the YaST Partitioning instructions for more information.

      Note

      If the Solaris OS is preinstalled on the disk, you can choose to partition the disk to remove Solaris; or, you can choose to keep Solaris and partition the disk to support dual-boot operating systems.

  8. Continue the basic installation setup until all the SLES OS files are installed and the system reboots.

  9. After the completing the basic installation setup, refer to the YaST documentation and perform the following post-installation tasks:

    1. Provide a password for your account.

    2. Configure and test the Internet access and network settings.

    3. Register the OS, then download the Service Pack 3 or later files.

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