Solaris 10 Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations

x86: Performing a Custom JumpStart Installation

During a custom JumpStart installation, the JumpStart program attempts to match the system that is being installed to the rules in the rules.ok file. The JumpStart program reads the rules from the first rule through the last rule. A match occurs when the system that is being installed matches all of the system attributes that are defined in the rule. As soon as a system matches a rule, the JumpStart program stops reading the rules.ok file and begins to install the system, based on the matched rule's profile.

You can install a Solaris Flash archive with custom JumpStart. For instructions, see To Prepare to Install a Solaris Flash Archive With a Custom JumpStart Installation.

Choose one of the following procedures depending on your release:

Procedurex86: To Perform an Installation or Upgrade With the Custom JumpStart Program and With GRUB

Starting with the Solaris 10 1/06 release, use this procedure to install the Solaris OS.

Steps
  1. If the system is part of a network, ensure that an Ethernet connector or similar network adapter is attached to your system.

  2. If you want to install a system that is connected through a tip(1) line, ensure that your window display is at least 80 columns wide and 24 rows long.

    To determine the current dimensions of your tip window, use the stty(1) command.

  3. Decide if you want to use a profile diskette.

    Starting with the Solaris 10 1/06 release, the profile diskette is no longer used to boot the system. A diskette can be prepared but include only the JumpStart directory. The diskette can then be used situations such as performing a JumpStart installation and booting off the CD-ROM.

    • If you are using a profile diskette, insert the profile diskette into the system's diskette drive.

    • If you are not using a profile diskette, continue with step Step 4.

  4. Decide how to boot the system.

    • If you boot from the Solaris Operating System DVD or the Solaris Software - 1 CD, insert the disc. Your system's BIOS must support booting from a DVD or CD.

    • If you boot from the network, use Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) network boot. The system must support PXE. Enable the system to use PXE by using the system's BIOS setup tool or the network adapter's configuration setup tool.

  5. (Optional) If you are booting from a DVD or CD, change the boot setting in your system's BIOS and set to boot from DVD or CD media. See your hardware documentation for instructions.

  6. If the system is off, turn the system on. If the system is on, reboot the system.

    The GRUB menu is displayed. This menu provides a list of boot entries. The entry that is provided is the Solaris instance to be installed.


    GNU GRUB version 0.95 (631K lower / 2095488K upper memory)
    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |Solaris 10 image_directory                                             |
    |                                                                   |
    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+
    Use the ^ and v keys to select which entry is highlighted. Press
    enter to boot the selected OS, 'e' to edit the commands before
    booting, or 'c' for a command-line.

    The image_directory is the name of the directory where the installation image is located. The path to the JumpStart files was defined with the add_install_client command and the -c option.


    Note –

    Instead of booting from the GRUB entry now, you can edit the boot entry. After editing the GRUB entry, you then perform the JumpStart installation. For instructions about how to edit the GRUB entry and a list of installation options, see x86: Performing a Custom JumpStart Installation by Editing the GRUB boot Command.


  7. On the Boot Solaris screen, select the device from which to boot the system. Select DVD, CD, Net, or Disk.

  8. At the prompt, perform one of the following instructions:


    Select the type of installation you want to perform:
     
             1 Solaris Interactive
             2 Custom JumpStart
             3 Solaris Interactive Text (Desktop session)
             4 Solaris Interactive Text (Console session)
             5. Apply driver updates
             6. Single User Shell
    Enter the number of your choice.
    Please make a selection (1-6).

    To select the custom JumpStart method, type 2 and press Enter.

    The JumpStart installation begins.


    Note –
    • If you do not make a selection within 30 seconds, the Solaris interactive installation program begins. You can stop the timer by typing any key at the command line.

    • If you select items 1, 3, or 4, you install with an interactive installation. For information about interactive installations, see Solaris 10 Installation Guide: Basic Installations.

    • For information about these installations, see the Solaris 10 Installation Guide: Basic Installations.

      • If you select item 5, you install driver updates.

      • If you select item 6, you can perform maintenance tasks.


  9. If you did not preconfigure system information in the sysidcfg file, when prompted, answer the questions about system configuration.

  10. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the software.

    When the JumpStart program finishes installing the Solaris software, the system reboots automatically. Also, the GRUB menu.lst file is automatically updated. Then the instance of Solaris that you have installed appears in the next use of the GRUB menu.

    After the installation is finished, installation logs are saved in a file. You can find the installation logs in the following directories:

    • /var/sadm/system/logs

    • /var/sadm/install/logs

x86: Performing a Custom JumpStart Installation by Editing the GRUB boot Command

Starting with the Solaris 10 1/06 release, you can edit the GRUB menu. In some circumstances such as for debugging purposes, you might want to modify the GRUB boot command. The following procedure describes the steps to edit the GRUB boot command before performing the custom JumpStart installation.

Procedurex86: To Modify the GRUB boot Command

Steps
  1. To begin the installation, proceed with Step 1 through Step 5 in the preceding procedure, x86: To Perform an Installation or Upgrade With the Custom JumpStart Program and With GRUB.

  2. If the system is off, turn the system on. If the system is on, reboot the system.

    The GRUB menu is displayed. This menu provides a list of boot entries. The entry that is provided is the Solaris instance to be installed.


    GNU GRUB version 0.95 (631K lower / 2095488K upper memory)
    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |Solaris 10 image_directory                                             |
    |                                                                   |
    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+
    Use the ^ and v keys to select which entry is highlighted. Press
    enter to boot the selected OS, 'e' to edit the commands before
    booting, or 'c' for a command-line.

    The image_directory is the name of the directory where the installation image is located.


    Note –
    • If you used the NFS to set the path to the JumpStart directory with the add_install_client command and the -c option, then you do not need to include the path in the boot entry.

    • If you are not using NFS, then you must note the path to the compressed configuration file that contains the JumpStart directory.


  3. To stop the booting process and use the menu entry editor, type e.

    The GRUB edit menu is displayed.


    kernel /I86PC.Solaris_11-8/multiboot kernel/unix -B console=ttyb,\
    install_media=131.141.2.32:/export/mary/v11 \
    module /I86PC.Solaris_11-8/x86.new
  4. Use the arrow keys to select the boot entry.

  5. To edit the selected command, type e.

    A command that is similar to the following example displays.


    grub edit>kernel /I86PC.Solaris_11-8/multiboot kernel/unix -B \
    console=ttyb,install_media=131.141.2.32:/export/mary/_\
    module /I86PC.Solaris_11-8/x86.new
  6. Edit the command by typing the options that you need.

    The syntax for a JumpStart installation is the following.


    grub edit>kernel /I86PC.Solaris_11-image_directory/multiboot kernel/unix/ \
    install [url|ask] options -B install_media=media_type
    

    For a description of JumpStart options, see x86: Command Reference for the b Command or boot Command.

    In the following example, the OS is installed over the network with a custom JumpStart profile.


    kernel /I86PC.Solaris_11-8/multiboot kernel/unix/ install \
    -B install_media=131.141.2.32:/export/mary/v11 \
    module /I86PC.Solaris_11-8/x86.new
  7. To accept the edits, press Enter.

    Your changes are saved and the GRUB main menu is displayed.


    Note –

    Pressing the Escape key returns you to the GRUB main menu without saving your changes.


  8. To begin the installation, type b.

Procedurex86: To Perform an Installation or Upgrade With the Custom JumpStart Program

For the Solaris 10 3/05 release, use this procedure to install the Solaris OS.

Steps
  1. If the system is part of a network, ensure that an Ethernet connector or similar network adapter is attached to your system.

  2. If you want to install a system that is connected through a tip(1) line, ensure that your window display is at least 80 columns wide and 24 rows long.

    To determine the current dimensions of your tip window, use the stty(1) command.

  3. If you are using a profile diskette, insert the profile diskette into the system's diskette drive.


    Note –

    The profile diskette contains a copy of the Solaris 10 3/05 Device Configuration Assistant in addition to profile information. If you are using PXE network boot to boot the system over the network, you must configure your system so that the system boots from the network and not from the diskette.


  4. Decide how to boot the system.

    • If you boot from the Solaris Operating System DVD or the Solaris Software - 1 CD, insert the disc. Your system's BIOS must support booting from a DVD or CD.

    • If you boot from the network, use Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) network boot. The system must support PXE. Enable the system to use PXE by using the system's BIOS setup tool or the network adapter's configuration setup tool.

    • If you boot from a Diskette – Use the profile diskette that you inserted into the drive in Step 3 or insert the Solaris 10 3/05 Device Configuration Assistant diskette into the system's diskette drive.


      x86 only –

      You can copy the Device Configuration Assistant software to a diskette from the Solaris Operating System for x86 Platforms DVD or Solaris Software for x86 Platforms - 2 CD by using the procedure in Solaris 10 3/05 for x86: Copying the Boot Software to a Diskette in Solaris 10 Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations.


  5. If the system is off, turn the system on. If the system is on, reboot the system.

    The Device Configuration Assistant identifies the system's devices.

  6. On the Boot Solaris screen, select the device from which to boot the system. Select DVD, CD, Net, or Disk.

  7. At the prompt, perform one of the following:


    Select the type of installation you want to perform:
     
             1 Solaris Interactive
             2 Custom JumpStart         
             3 Solaris Interactive Text (Desktop session)
             4 Solaris Interactive Text (Console session) 
    
    Enter the number of your choice followed by the <ENTER> key.
    Alternatively, enter custom boot arguments directly.
    
    If you wait for 30 seconds without typing anything,
    an interactive installation will be started.

    To select the custom JumpStart method, perform one of the following actions:


    Note –
    • If you do not type 2 or type a boot command within 30 seconds, the Solaris interactive installation program begins. You can stop the timer by typing any key on the command line.

    • If you select items 1, 3, or 4, you install with an interactive installation. For information on interactive installations, see Solaris 10 Installation Guide: Basic Installations.


    • Type 2 and press Enter.

    • Type the appropriate options for the b command. The syntax of the command is the following.


      b install url:ask options
      

      For example, if you type the following command, the OS is installed over the network by using a JumpStart profile.


      ok b install http://131.141.2.32/jumpstart/config.tar
      

      For a description of the b command options, see the table below.

  8. If you did not preconfigure system information in the sysidcfg file, when prompted, answer the questions about system configuration.

  9. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the software.

    When the JumpStart program finishes installing the Solaris software, the system reboots automatically.

    After the installation is finished, installation logs are saved in a file. You can find the installation logs in the following directories:

    • /var/sadm/system/logs

    • /var/sadm/install/logs

x86: Command Reference for the b Command or boot Command

For descriptions of the command-line options of the boot command, use one of the following sections depending on your release:

x86: GRUB boot Menu Command Reference

Starting with the Solaris 10 1/06 release, the syntax of the boot command is the following.


kernel /I86PC.Solaris_11-image_directory/multiboot kernel/unix/ install \
[url|ask] options -B install_media=media_type

The following table describes the command-line options for the GRUB boot menu command that are appropriate for a JumpStart installation.

Option 

Description 

install

Performs a custom JumpStart installation. 

In the following example, the system boots from DVD media and the following options were used: 

  • install performs a custom JumpStart

  • file://jumpstart/config.tar finds the JumpStart profile on the local disk


kernel /I86pc.Solaris_11.8/multiboot install file://jumpstart/config.tar \
 -B install_media=dvdrom module /I86Solaris_11.8/x86.new

[url| ask]

Specifies the location of the custom JumpStart files or prompts you for the location.  

  • url – Specifies the path to the files. You can specify a URL for files that are located in the following places:

    • Local hard disk


      file://jumpstart_dir_path/compressed_config_file
      

      For example:


      kernel /I86pc.Solaris_11.8/multiboot install \
      file://jumpstart/config.tar \
       -B install_media=dvdrom module /I86Solaris_11.8/x86.new
    • NFS server


      nfs://server_name:IP_address/jumpstart_dir_path/compressed_config_file
      

      For example:


      kernel /I86pc.Solaris_11.8/multiboot install\
      myserver:192.168.2.1/jumpstart/config.tar \
       -B install_media=192.168.2.1/export/Solaris_11.8/boot \
      module /I86PC.Solaris_11.8/x86.new
    • HTTP server


      http://server_name:IP_address/jumpstart_dir_path/
      compressed_config_file&proxy_info
      
      • If you placed a sysidcfg file in the compressed configuration file, you must specify the IP address of the server that contains the file, as in the following example:


        kernel /I86pc.Solaris_11.8/multiboot install \
        http://192.168.2.1/jumpstart/config.tar \
         -B install_media=192.168.2.1/export/Solaris_11.8/boot \
        module /I86PC.Solaris_11.8/x86.new
      • If you saved the compressed configuration file on an HTTP server that is behind a firewall, you must use a proxy specifier during boot. You do not need to specify an IP address for the server that contains the file. You must specify an IP address for the proxy server, as in the following example:


        kernel /I86pc.Solaris_11.8/multiboot install \
        http://www.shadow.com/jumpstart/config.tar&proxy=131.141.6.151 \
         -B install_media=192.168.2.1/export/Solaris_11.8/boot \
        module /I86PC.Solaris_11.8/x86.new
 
  • ask – Specifies that the installation program prompt you to type the location of the compressed configuration file. You are prompted after the system boots and connects to the network. If you use this option, you are not able to do a completely hands off JumpStart installation.

    If you bypass the prompt by pressing Return, the Solaris installation program interactively configures the network parameters. The installation program then prompts you for the location of the compressed configuration file.

    The following example performs a custom JumpStart and boots from DVD media. You are prompted to type the location of the configuration file after the system connects to the network.


    kernal /boot/multiboot kernel/unix install ask -B \
    install_media=192.168.2.1:export/sol_11_x86/boot module \
    /I86PC.Solaris_11.8_

options

  • dhcp – Specifies to use a DHCP server to obtain network installation information that is needed to boot the system. This option is not needed for a JumpStart installation. If you do not specify to use a DHCP server by typing dhcp, the system uses the /etc/bootparams file or the name service bootparams database. For example, you would not specify dhcp if you wanted keep a static IP address. For example:


    kernel /I86pc.Solaris_11.8/multiboot install \
    dhcp -B install_media=192.168.2.1:/export/Solaris_11.8/ \
    boot module /I86PC.Solaris_11.8/x86.new
  • The options nowin and text do not apply to a JumpStart installation. These options are useful with an interactive installation. For more information, see To Install or Upgrade With the Solaris Installation Program in Solaris 10 Installation Guide: Basic Installations.

x86: The b (boot) Command Reference

For the Solaris 10 3/05 release, the syntax of the b command is the following.


ok b  install url:ask options

The following table describes the command-line options for the boot command that are appropriate for a JumpStart installation.

Option 

Description 

url: ask

Specifies the location of the custom JumpStart files or prompts you for the location. 

  • url - Specifies the path to the files. You can specify a URL for files that are located on an HTTP or HTTPS server

    HTTP server


    http://server_name:IP_address/jumpstart_dir_path/
    compressed_config_file&proxy_info
    
    • If you placed a sysidcfg file in the compressed configuration file, you must specify the IP address of the server that contains the file, as in the following example:


      http://131.141.2.32/jumpstart/config.tar
    • If you saved the compressed configuration file on an HTTP server that is behind a firewall, you must use a proxy specifier during boot. You do not need to specify an IP address for the server that contains the file. You must specify an IP address for the proxy server, as in the following example:


      http://www.shadow.com/jumpstart/
      config.tar&proxy=131.141.6.151
  • ask - Specifies that the installation program prompt you to type the location of the compressed configuration file after the system boots and connects to the network. If you use this option, you are not able to do a completely hands off JumpStart installation.

    If you bypass the prompt by pressing Return, the Solaris installation program interactively configures the network parameters. The installation program then prompts you for the location of the compressed configuration file.

options

dhcp - Specifies to use a DHCP server to obtain network installation information that is needed to boot the system. This option is not needed for a JumpStart installation.

If you do not specify to use a DHCP server by typing dhcp, the system uses the /etc/bootparams file or the name service bootparams database. For example, you would not specify dhcp if you wanted keep a static IP address.

The other options nowin and text do not apply to a JumpStart installation.