Creating a Boot Server on a Subnet With a CD Image

You must create an install server to install the Solaris software on a system from the network. You do not always need to set up a boot server. A boot server contains enough of the boot software to boot systems from the network, and then the install server completes the installation of the Solaris software.

• If you are using DHCP to set installation parameters or your install server and client are on the same subnet, you do not need a boot server. Proceed to Adding Systems to Be Installed From the Network With a CD Image.

• If your install server and your client are not on the same subnet and you are not using DHCP, you must create separate boot servers for each subnet. You could create an install server for each subnet; however, install servers require more disk space.

To Create a Boot Server on a Subnet With a CD Image

1. On the system you intend to make the boot server for the subnet, log in and become superuser.

   The system must include a local CD-ROM drive or have access to the remote Solaris 9 disc images, which are normally on the install server. If you use a name service, the system should be in the name service. If you do not use a name service, you must distribute information about this system by following your site's policies.

2. Mount the Solaris Software 1 of 2 CD image from the install server.

   # mount -F nfs -o ro server_name:path /mnt

   server_name:path

   Is the install server name and absolute path to the disc image

3. Create a directory for the boot image.

   # mkdir -p boot_dir_path

   boot_dir_path

   Specifies the directory where the boot software is to be copied

4. Change to the Tools directory on the Solaris Software 1 of 2 CD image.

   # cd /mnt/Solaris_9/Tools

5. Copy the boot software to the boot server.

   # ./setup_install_server -b boot_dir_path

   -b

   Specifies to set up the system as a boot server

   boot_dir_path

   Specifies the directory where the boot software is to be copied

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   Note –

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

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6. Change directories to root (/).

   # cd /

7. Unmount the installation image.

   # umount /mnt

You are now ready to set up systems to be installed from the network. See Adding Systems to Be Installed From the Network With a CD Image.

Example 15–5 Creating a Boot Server on a Subnet With CD Media

The following example illustrates how to create a boot server on a subnet. These commands copy the boot software from the Solaris Software 1 of 2 SPARC Platform Edition CD image to /export/install/boot on the system's local disk.

# mount -F nfs -o ro crystal:/export/install/boot /mnt 
# mkdir -p /export/install/boot 
# cd /mnt/Solaris_9/Tools
# ./setup_install_server -b /export/install/boot
# cd /
# umount /mnt

In this example, the disc is inserted and automatically mounted before the command. After the command, the disc is removed.