Quick Start Guide

Completing the prerequisites

Before installing Linux on your system, ensure that you have the following:

• Ethernet cable
• Serial to RJ-45 cable
• Laptop or PC
• Terminal emulator program such as minicom or kermit (Linux) or Putty (Windows™). Set the communications to use a 19200 baud with data bits of 8, a parity of None, and stop bits of 1.
• Power cords and outlet for your system. Depending on your configuration, your system might require 220 V. For instructions, see the IBM® Docs and search for your Power hardware model: IBM Knowledge Center.
• Distribution media

Prepare to power on

• If your system belongs in a rack, install your system into that rack. For instructions, see the IBM Docs and search for your Power hardware model: IBM Docs.
• Remove the shipping brackets from the power supplies. Ensure that the power supplies are fully seated in the system.
• Connect your laptop or PC to the serial connection port 1 on the server using the serial console.
• Connect an Ethernet cable to the top network port on the back of your system and to your network.
• Connect the power cords to the system and plug them into the outlets.

At this point, your firmware is booting. Wait for the green power LED on the control panel to start flashing, indicating that it is ready to use, and for the prompt 01 N V=N to appear on the display.

For information about accessing and using the control panel, see the Control panel topic at https://ibm.biz/BdYjwz.

Boot the installer kernel

1. Insert distribution media into the disk drive.
2. From the Select Language window, enter 2 to Continue to Booting.
3. Enter 1 to accept the license agreement.
4. At the Boot selection window, enter 1 to select the SMS Menu. Enter 1 before the firmware boot screen is completely shown on the display, because it will disappear when complete. If you miss the screen, reboot the system.
5. Enter 2 to Continue to password entry on the Language selection menu. Enter the password that you specified earlier.
6. Enter 5 to select the Select Boot Options option.
7. Enter 7 to view all of the available boot devices.
8. Enter the number corresponding to the device you want to use.
9. Enter 2 to perform a Normal Mode Boot.
10. Enter 1 to leave the SMS menu and to start the boot process.
11. At the boot prompt from installer, add the inst.vnc option to the end of the command line. If you want to restrict VNC access to the system that is being installed, add the inst.vncpassword=PASSWORD boot option to the end of the command line. Replace PASSWORD with the password that you want to use for the installation. The VNC password must be six to eight characters long.
    Note: If you want to connect to VNC without a password, do not add this option.
    For SLES Installation add the vnc=1 and vnc.password=PASSWORD option to the end of the command line if the session needs to be restricted.

Start VNC session and install Linux

1. On the Network device window, select eth0 as your network device. Select OK and enter.
2. Select to test your installation media or to skip.
3. After the system has started the VNC server, you will see a message to connect your VNC client followed by an IP address. Take note of this IP address.
4. Start your VNC client on your laptop or PC.
5. Enter the IP address from the system as your VNC Server. Add :1 to the end of the IP address and click connect.
6. Complete the installation by following the installer screens to install Linux.

Troubleshooting

Check the control panel for any codes that might be displayed. For example, the code 11002613 indicates that there is a problem with the power. Ensure that the power supplies are seated correctly and that you are using the correct power cords.

You can look up any codes that are displayed in IBM Knowledge Center.