x86: Creating an x86 Install Server

The install server contains the installation image that is needed to install systems from the network. You must create an install server to install the Solaris software on a system from the network.

If you want use the Solaris DVD media to set up an install server on a system that is running the Solaris 2.6 or 7 operating environment, you must first apply one of the following patches.

• Solaris 2.6 Intel Platform Edition operating environment - Patch ID 107619-03

• Solaris 7 Intel Platform Edition operating environment - Patch ID 107260-03

To Create an x86 Install Server

This procedure makes the following assumptions.

• You are creating an install server on an x86–based system. For instructions on how to use a SPARC system to serve Solaris (x86 Platform Edition) installation images, see To Create a SPARC Install Server With SPARC or x86 DVD Media.

• The system has a CD-ROM drive.

• The system is running the Volume Manager. If you are not using the Volume Manager to manage media, refer to System Administration Guide: Basic Administration for detailed information about managing removable media without the Volume Manager.

1. On the system that is to become the install server, become superuser.

   The system must include a CD-ROM drive and be part of the site's network and name service. If you use a name service, the system must already be in a name service, such as NIS, NIS+, DNS, or LDAP. If you do not use a name service, you must distribute information about this system by following your site's policies.

2. Insert the Solaris Software 1 of 2 CD in the system's drive.

3. Create a directory for the CD image.

   # mkdir -p install_dir_path

   install_dir_path

   Specifies the directory where the CD image is to be copied

4. Change to the Tools directory on the mounted disc.

   # cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s2/Solaris_9/Tools

   In the previous example, cdrom0 is the path to the drive that contains the Solaris operating environment CD media.

5. Copy the image in the drive to the install server's hard disk.

   # ./setup_install_server install_dir_path

   install_dir_path

   Specifies the directory where the CD image is to be copied

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   Note –

   The setup_install_server command indicates whether you have enough disk space available for the Solaris Software disc images. To determine available disk space, use the df -kl command.

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6. Change directories to root (/).

   # cd /

7. Eject the Solaris Software 1 of 2 CD.

8. Insert the Solaris Software 2 of 2 CD in the system's CD-ROM drive.

9. Change to the Tools directory on the mounted CD:

   # cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Solaris_9/Tools

10. Copy the CD in the CD-ROM drive to the install server's hard disk.

    # ./add_to_install_server install_dir_path

    install_dir_path

    Specifies the directory where the CD image is to be copied

11. Change directories to root (/).

    # cd /

12. Eject the Solaris Software 2 of 2 CD.

13. Insert the Solaris Languages CD in the system's CD-ROM drive.

14. Change to the Tools directory on the mounted CD:

    # cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Tools

15. Copy the CD in the CD-ROM drive to the install server's hard disk.

    # ./add_to_install_server install_dir_path

    install_dir_path

    Specifies the directory where the CD image is to be copied

16. Change directories to root (/).

    # cd /

17. If you want to patch the files that are located in the miniroot (/install_dir_path/Solaris_9/Tools/Boot) on the net install image, use the patchadd -C command to patch these files. You might need to patch a file if a boot image has problems.

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    Caution –

    Don't use the patchadd -C command unless you have read the Patch README instructions or have contacted your local Sun support office.

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Example I–1 x86: Creating an x86 Install Server With x86 CD Media

The following example illustrates how to create an install server by copying the following CDs to the install server's /export/home/cdx86 directory.

• Solaris Software 1 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD

• Solaris Software 2 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD

• Solaris x86 Platform Edition Languages CD

# mkdir -p /export/home/cdx86
# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s2/Solaris_9/Tools
# ./setup_install_server /export/home/cdx86
# cd /
# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Solaris_9/Tools
# ./add_to_install_server /export/home/cdx86
# cd /
# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Tools
# ./add_to_install_server /export/home/cdx86
# cd /
# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s2
# ./modify_install_server -p /export/home/cdx86 /cdrom/cdrom0/s2

In this example, each CD is inserted and automatically mounted before each of the commands. After each command, the CD is removed.