How to Create an Install Server

1. On the system that is going to be the install server, log in and become root.

   This system must have a CD-ROM drive and be part of the site's network and name service. The system must also be in the NIS or NIS+ name service. (If your site doesn't use the NIS or NIS+ name service, you must distribute information about this system by following your site's policies.)

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   Note -

   This procedure assumes that the system is running Volume Management. For detailed information about managing CDs without Volume Management, see the System Administration Guide.

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2. Insert the Solaris CD into the CD-ROM drive.

   This is the Solaris CD that you want to provide to the systems over the network.

3. Mount the Solaris CD (if needed).

   Volume management automatically mounts the Solaris CD on /cdrom/cdrom0/s0 or /cdrom/cdrom0/s2.

4. Determine your next step based on whether or not you want to copy the Solaris CD to the install server's hard disk.

   If You ...	Then ...
   Want to copy the Solaris CD	Go to Step 5.
   Do not want to copy the Solaris CD	Go to Step 7.

5. Change directory to the Tools directory on the mounted Solaris CD.

   # cd Solaris_2.6/Tools

6. Copy the Solaris CD to the install server's hard disk by using the setup_install_server command.

   # ./setup_install_server install_dir_path

   install_dir_path

   Specifies the directory where the Solaris CD will be copied. The directory must be empty.

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   Note -

   The setup_install_server command will indicate if you do not have enough disk space for the Solaris CD. Use the df -kl command to determine available disk space.

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   Note -

   After copying the Solaris CD, you can use the patchadd -c command to patch the Solaris CD image on the install server's hard disk. So, instead of patching every client after it installs, clients can install Solaris software that is already patched.

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7. Determine your next step based on whether or not the install server is on the same subnet as the system to be installed.

   If Install Server Is ...	Then ...
   On same subnet as the system to be installed	You don't need to create a boot server. Go to "Setting Up Systems to Be Installed Over the Network".
   Not on the same subnet as the system to be installed	Follow the steps in "How to Create a Boot Server on a Subnet ". You must complete this procedure when the install server is not on the same subnet as the system to be installed.

Example-Creating an Install Server

The following example creates an install server by copying the Solaris CD to the install server's /export/install directory.

# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s0/Solaris_2.6/Tools
# ./setup_install_server /export/install

Where to Go Next

The install server (and boot server, if needed) is now created. To set up systems to be installed from the install server, go to "Setting Up Systems to Be Installed Over the Network".