Loading Linux from removable media or from an FTP server

6.10 LPAR mode

Instead of a boot loader, you can use SE functions to copy the Linux® kernel image to your LPAR memory.

After the Linux kernel is loaded, Linux is started using restart PSW.

Before you begin

You need installation data that includes a special file with installation information (with extension ins). This file can be in different locations:
  • On a disk that is inserted in the CD-ROM or DVD drive of the system where the HMC runs
  • In the file system of an FTP server that you can access through FTP from your HMC system
The .ins file contains a mapping of the location of installation data on the disk or FTP server and the memory locations where the data is to be copied.

Procedure

Perform these steps:

  1. In the navigation pane of the HMC, expand Systems Management and select the hardware system that you want to work with. A table of LPARs is displayed on the Partitions tab in the content area.
  2. Select the LPAR where you want to boot Linux.
  3. In the Tasks area, expand Recovery and click Load from Removable Media or Server (see Figure 1).
    Figure 1. Load from Removable Media or Server task on the HMC
    Screen capture of the Hardware Management Console. In the Tasks area, expand the Recovery list and click Load from Removable Media or Server.
  4. Specify the source of the code to be loaded.
    • For loading from a CD-ROM or DVD drive
      1. Select Hardware Management Console removable media (see Figure 2).
        Figure 2. Load from Removable Media or Server panel
        Screen capture of the Load from Removable Media or Server panel. Select Hardware Management Console removable media on this panel.
      2. Enter the path for the directory where the ins-file is in the File location field. You can leave this field blank if the ins-file is in the root directory of the file system on the CD-ROM or DVD.
    • For an initial installation from removable media at the HMC
      1. Select Hardware Management Console removable media and assign for operating system use (see Figure 2).
      2. Enter the path for the directory where the ins-file is in the File location field. You can leave this field blank if the ins-file is in the root directory of the file system on the removable media.

      The installation CD or DVD must hold a distribution that supports an installation from the HMC.

    • For loading from an FTP server
      1. Select FTP Server.
      2. Enter the IP address or host name of the FTP server with the installation code in the Host name entry field.
      3. Enter your user ID for the FTP server in the User name entry field.
      4. Enter your password for the FTP server in the Password entry field.
      5. If required by your FTP server, type your account information in the Account entry field.
      6. Enter the path for the directory where the ins-file resides in the file location entry field. You can leave this field blank if the file is in the FTP server's root directory.
  5. Click Continue to display the Select Software to Install panel (Figure 3).
    Figure 3. Select Software to Install panel
    Screen capture of the Select Software to Install panel.
  6. Select the ins-file to be used.
  7. Click OK to start loading Linux.

Results

Distribution-specific configuration scripts take over, if present.