Preparing the Boot Environment

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Before you install the operating system, you should ensure that Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings are configured to support the type of installation you plan to perform.

The server is equipped with Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), which supports both Legacy BIOS and UEFI boot modes. UEFI is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware. UEFI firmware is meant to replace the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) firmware interface. The server can be configured to boot in either Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (default) or UEFI Boot Mode.

In the BIOS Setup Utility, you can set optimal defaults, as well as view and edit UEFI settings as needed. By setting optimal defaults, you ensure that the server is operating efficiently with a known-good configuration. You can review the optimal defaults in the Oracle Server X5-8 Service Manual. Setting optimal defaults resets the BIOS to the default Legacy BIOS Boot Mode if the server was in UEFI Boot Mode. Selecting optimal defaults resets the UEFI firmware to the factory default of Legacy BIOS Boot Mode.

Note - The set optimal defaults procedure is optional. If the server is newly installed and this is the first time an operating system is being installed, then UEFI is probably configured to its optimal default settings and you do not have to perform this procedure.

Any changes you make in the BIOS Setup Utility (using the F2 key ) are permanent until the next time you change them.

In addition to using the F2 key to view or edit the system's UEFI/BIOS settings, you can use F8 during the UEFI/BIOS start-up to specify a temporary boot device. If you use F8 to set a temporary boot device, this change is only in effect for the current system boot. The permanent boot device specified in the UEFI/BIOS using F2 will be in effect after booting from the temporary boot device.

The following topic provides specific instructions on how to configure UEFI to support the installation:

Set the Boot Mode

For more information about UEFI firmware settings, setting UEFI optimal defaults, and changing boot properties, refer to Reset the BIOS Firmware to Default Settings (BIOS) in Oracle X5 Series Servers Administration Guide.

UEFI is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware. UEFI replaces the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) firmware interface.