x86: To Create a Profile Diskette

This procedure assumes that the system is running Volume Manager. If you are not using Volume Manager to manage diskettes, CDs, and DVDs, refer to System Administration Guide: Devices and File Systems for detailed information about managing removable media without Volume Manager.

1. Log in as superuser on an x86 system to which a diskette drive is attached.

2. Insert the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant x86 Platform Edition diskette into the diskette drive (usually drive A). You use this diskette as the profile diskette.

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   x86 only –

   You can copy the Device Configuration Assistant software to a diskette from the Solaris x86 Platform Edition DVD or Solaris Software 2 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD by using the procedure in Appendix I, x86: Preparing to Boot From the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant or the Network (Tasks).

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3. Mount the diskette.

   # volcheck

4. Copy the image of the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant to the system's hard disk.

   # dd if=/vol/dev/aliases/floppy0 of=boot_image

   In the command, boot_image is the name of the file into which you want to copy the image of the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant. You can specify an absolute path name.

   For example, the following command copies the boot diskette to a file that is named boot_save:

   dd if=/vol/dev/aliases/floppy0 of=boot_save

5. Eject the diskette by clicking Eject Disk in the File Manager window or by typing eject floppy on the command line.

6. In the Removable Media Manager dialog box, click OK.

7. Manually eject the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant x86 Platform Edition diskette.

8. Insert a blank diskette or a diskette that can be overwritten into the diskette drive.

9. Mount the diskette.

   # volcheck

10. Format the diskette.

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    Caution –

    Formatting erases all data on the diskette.

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    # fdformat -d -U

11. Copy the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant image from the system's hard disk to the formatted diskette.

    # dd if=boot_image of=/vol/dev/aliases/floppy0

    In the command, boot_image is the name of the file where you want to copy the image of the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant. You can specify an absolute path name.

12. Determine if you want to copy examples of custom JumpStart files to your JumpStart directory.

    • If no, go to Step 15.

    • If yes, use the following decision table to determine what to do next.

    Example Locations	Instructions
    The Solaris x86 Platform Edition DVD or the Solaris Software 1 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD	Insert the Solaris x86 Platform Edition DVD or the Solaris Software 1 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD into the server's CD-ROM drive. Volume Manager automatically mounts the CD.
    An image of the Solaris x86 Platform Edition DVD or the Solaris Software 1 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD on a local disk	Change directory to the location of the Solaris x86 Platform Edition DVD or the Solaris Software 1 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD image. For example, type the following: cd /export/install

13. Copy the example custom JumpStart files into the JumpStart directory on the profile diskette.

    # cp -r media_path/Solaris_9/Misc/jumpstart_sample/* jumpstart_dir_path

    media_path

    The path to the CD, DVD, or image on the local disk

    jumpstart_dir_path

    The path to the profile diskette where you want to place the example custom JumpStart files

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    Note –

    You must place all custom JumpStart installation files in the root (/) directory on the profile diskette.

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    For example, the following command copies the contents of jumpstart_sample on the Solaris Software 1 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD to the root (/) directory on a profile diskette that is named scrap:

    cp -r /cdrom/sol_9_x86/s2/Solaris_9/Misc/jumpstart_sample/* /floppy/scrap

14. Update the example JumpStart files on the profile diskette so that the files work in your environment.

15. Ensure that root owns the JumpStart directory and that permissions are set to 755.

16. Eject the diskette by clicking Eject Disk in the File Manager window or by typing eject floppy on the command line.

17. In the Removable Media Manager dialog box, click OK.

18. Manually eject the diskette.

You have completed the creation of a profile diskette. Now you can update the rules file and create profiles on the profile diskette to perform custom JumpStart installations. To continue, go to Creating the rules File.