How to Create a sysidcfg Configuration File

The Solaris OS installation programs require you to provide configuration information about a system, such as peripheral devices, host name, IP address, and name service (if applicable). Before the installation tools prompt you for this configuration information, the tools check for this information in the sysidcfg file and then in the name services databases (if applicable). When the Solaris installation program or the custom JumpStart installation program detects preconfigured system information in the sysidcfg file, you are not prompted to enter this information manually, which saves on time and resources. For example, if you have several systems, and you do not want a time zone prompt displayed every time you install the Solaris OS, you can specify the time zone in the sysidcfg file.

For more information about the sysidcfg file, see the sysidcfg(4) man page.

1. Using a text editor, create a file named sysidcfg.

2. Type the keywords that you want to include in the sysidcfg configuration file. See Preconfiguring With the sysidcfg File for guidelines and syntax to use.

3. Save the sysidcfg file.

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   Note –

   If you create more than one sysidcfg file, you must save each file in a separate directory or on a separate diskette.

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4. Make the sysidcfg file available to clients through either of the following:

   • A shared NFS file system. Use the add_install_client command with the -p option to set up the system to install from the network.

   • The root (/) directory on a UFS diskette or PCFS diskette.

Example 1–6 sysidcfg File

The following example shows a sysidcfg file for a group of systems that use the same type of keyboard, graphics cards, and pointing devices information. If the sysidcfg file in this example were used, you would be prompted to select a language (system_locale) before the installation could proceed.

The device information (keyboard, display, and pointer) was obtained by running the kdmconfig command with the -d option. See the kdmconfig(1M) man page for more information.

keyboard=ATKBD {layout=US-English}
display=ati {size=15-inch}
pointer=MS-S
timezone=US/Central
timeserver=timehost1
terminal=ibm-pc
name_service=NIS {domain_name=marquee.central.example.com
                  name_server=nmsvr2(172.25.112.3)}
root_password=URFUni9

Continuing the Installation

If you plan to use the sysidcfg file in an installation over the network, you need to set up an installation server and add the system as an installation client. For more information, see Preparing to Install the Solaris Operating System on IBM BladeCenter Servers (Task Map) and Preconfiguring With the sysidcfg File.

If you plan to use the sysidcfg file in a custom JumpStart installation, you need to create a profile and a rules.ok file. See How To Create a rules File.