Chapter 6 Performing a Custom JumpStart Installation (Tasks)

This chapter describes how to perform a custom JumpStart installation on a SPARC based or an x86 based system. You need to follow these procedures on the system on which you intend to install the Solaris software.

If you are installing a Solaris ZFS root pool, see Chapter 9, Installing a ZFS Root Pool With JumpStart for limitations and profile examples.

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

• x86: To Perform an Installation or Upgrade With the Custom JumpStart Program and With GRUB

Limitations for a JumpStart Installation

A number of issues might cause problems during a JumpStart installation. Review the table below for specific information.

SPARC: Task Map: Setting Up a System for a Custom JumpStart Installation

SPARC: 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. A match occurs when the system that is being installed matches all the system attributes that are defined in the rule. When 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.

To Prepare to Install a Solaris Flash Archive With a Custom JumpStart Installation

You can install a full archive for an initial installation or if you have already installed an archive, a differential archive for an update. You can use the custom JumpStart installation method or use Solaris Live Upgrade to install an archive on an inactive boot environment. This procedure provides the instructions to install an archive with custom JumpStart.

• For an overview of a full or differential archive, see Chapter 1, Solaris Flash (Overview), in Solaris 10 5/09 Installation Guide: Solaris Flash Archives (Creation and Installation).

• For procedures about installing an archive on an inactive boot environment by using Solaris Live Upgrade, see To Install a Solaris Flash Archive With a Profile in Solaris 10 5/09 Installation Guide: Solaris Live Upgrade and Upgrade Planning.

1. Review the following limitations.

   Description	Example
   Caution: When using the archive_location keyword to install a Solaris Flash archive, the archive and the installation media must contain identical operating system versions.	For example, if the archive is a Solaris 10 5/09 operating system and you are using DVD media, then you must use Solaris 10 5/09 DVD media to install the archive. If the operating systems versions do not match, the installation on the clone system fails.
   Caution – A Solaris Flash archive cannot be properly created when a non-global zone is installed. The Solaris Flash feature is not compatible with the Solaris Zones partitioning technology. If you create a Solaris Flash archive, the resulting archive is not installed properly when the archive is deployed under these conditions: The archive is created in a non-global zone The archive is created in a global zone that has non-global zones installed

2. On the install server, create the custom JumpStart rules file.

   For detailed instructions about creating custom JumpStart files, refer to Chapter 3, Preparing Custom JumpStart Installations (Tasks).

3. On the install server, create the custom JumpStart profile file.

   For examples of Solaris Flash archive profiles, see Profile Examples.

   From the existing list of custom JumpStart keywords in Table 8–2, the only keywords valid when you install a Solaris Flash archive are the following:

   Keyword	Initial Installation	Differential Archive
   (required)archive_location	X	X
   fdisk (x86 only)	X	X
   filesys Note – You cannot set the filesys keyword to the value auto.	X
   forced_deployment		X
   (required) install_type	X	X
   local_customization	X	X
   no_content_check		X
   no_master_check		X
   package	X
   root_device	X	X

   1. Set the value of the keyword install_type to one of the following types.

      • For a full archive installation, set the value to flash_install.

      • For a differential archive installation, set the value to flash_update.

   2. Add the path to the Solaris Flash archive by using the archive_location keyword.

      For details about the archive_location keyword, refer to archive_location Keyword.

   3. Specify the file system configuration.

      The Solaris Flash archive extraction process does not support auto-layout of partitions.

   4. (Optional) If you want to install additional packages at the same time you install an archive, use the package keyword. For more information, see package Profile Keyword (UFS and ZFS).

   5. (Optional) If you want to install an additional Solaris Flash archive on the clone system, add one archive_location line for each archive that you want to install.

4. On the install server, add the clients that you are installing with the Solaris Flash archive.

   For detailed instructions, refer to the following:

   • Adding Systems to Be Installed From the Network With a DVD Image in Solaris 10 5/09 Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations

   • Adding Systems to Be Installed From the Network With a CD Image in Solaris 10 5/09 Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations

5. Perform the custom JumpStart installation on the clone systems.

   For detailed instructions, refer to SPARC: To Perform an Installation or Upgrade With the Custom JumpStart Program.

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

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 are installing 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 the system's DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive to install the Solaris software, insert the Solaris Operating System for SPARC Platforms DVD or the Solaris Software for SPARC Platforms - 1 CD in the drive.

4. If you are using a profile diskette, insert the profile diskette in the system's diskette drive.

5. Boot the system.

   • If the system is new, out–of–the–box, turn on the system.

   • If you want to install or upgrade an existing system, shut down the system. At the ok prompt, type the appropriate options for the boot command. The syntax of the boot command is the following.

     ok boot [cd–dvd|net] - 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 boot net - install http://131.141.2.32/jumpstart/config.tar

     For a description of the boot command options, see the following table.

   ---

   SPARC only –

   The system checks hardware and system components and your SPARC based system boots. Booting lasts several minutes.

   ---

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

7. 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

SPARC: Command Reference for the boot Command

The syntax of the boot command is the following.

ok boot [cd–dvd|net] - install [url|ask] options

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

x86: Task Map: Setting Up a System for a Custom JumpStart Installation

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:

• For a standard custom JumpStart procedure, see x86: To Perform an Installation or Upgrade With the Custom JumpStart Program and With GRUB.

• To perform a custom JumpStart by editing the GRUB command, see x86: Performing a Custom JumpStart Installation by Editing the GRUB Boot Command.

x86: To Perform an Installation or Upgrade With the Custom JumpStart Program and With GRUB

Use this procedure to install the Solaris OS for an x86 based system with the GRUB menu.

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.

   A profile diskette is no longer used to boot the system but, a diskette can be prepared that includes 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.

   GNU GRUB version 0.95 (631K lower / 2095488K upper memory) +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Solaris 10 5/09 image_directory | |Solaris Serial Console ttya | |Solaris Serial Console ttyb (for lx50, v60x and v65x | +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ 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. 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 5/09 Installation Guide: Basic Installations.

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

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

   ---

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. 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

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.

x86: To Modify the GRUB Boot Command

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 5/09 image_directory | |Solaris Serial Console ttya | |Solaris Serial Console ttyb (lx50, v60x and v68) | +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ 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 Booting the System.

   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.

x86: Command Reference for Booting the System

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

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

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