Quick Start Guide

Edit online

This guide helps you install Ubuntu on a Linux on Power Systems server.

Overview

Use this information to install Ubuntu on a non-virtualized or bare metal IBM Power System LC server by using the network boot servers that are provided by Canonical. This procedure follows these general steps:

  • Connect to the BMC firmware to set up network connection
  • Connect to the BMC firmware with IPMI
  • Configure Petitboot for a network installation
  • Install Ubuntu from the network connection

Completing the prerequisites and booting your firmware

Before you power on the system, ensure that you have the following items:

  • Ethernet cable
  • VGA monitor. The VGA resolution must be set to 1024x768-60Hz.
  • USB Keyboard
  • Power cords and outlet for your system.

If you are using the Ubuntu netboot server, the URLs are currently at the following locations:

Look for the vmlinux and initrd.gz files. If they are not available at the URLs given, then go to http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/netboot/ and select your release > ppc64el > ubuntu-installer > ppc6el. Locate the vmlinux and initrd.gz files. If this URL is different from the paths that are given previously, record them for future use.

For a list of supported distributions, see Supported Linux distributions and virtualization options for POWER8 and POWER9 Linux on Power systems.

Complete these steps:

  • If your system belongs in a rack, install your system into that rack. For instructions, see IBM® Power Systems™ information at https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/.
  • Connect an Ethernet cable to the embedded Ethernet port next to the serial port on the back of your system. Connect the other end to your network.
  • Connect your VGA monitor to the VGA port on back of system.
  • Connect your USB keyboard to an available USB port
  • Connect the power cords to the system and plug them into the outlets.

At this point, your firmware is booting. Wait for the green LED on the power button to start flashing, indicating that it is ready to use. If your system does not have a green LED indicator light, then wait 1 to 2 minutes.

Configuring Petitboot

After the system powers on, the Petitboot bootloader scans local boot devices and network interfaces to find boot options that are available to the system.

Provide the network boot detail to Petitboot by following these steps:

  1. On the Petitboot main screen, select n to create new options.
  2. Choose your boot device or select to Specify paths/URLs manually and then enter your boot options:
    1. In the Kernel field, enter the path to the kernel. This field is mandatory. Enter a URL similar to this one for a network:

      http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports/dists/trusty-updates/main/installer-ppc64el/current/ images/vivid-netboot/ubuntu-installer/ppc64el/vmlinux

    2. In the Initrd field, enter the path to the init ramdisk. Enter a URL similar to this one for a network:

      http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports/dists/trusty-updates/main/installer-ppc64el/current/ images/vivid-netboot/ubuntu-installer/ppc64el/initrd.gz

      You can accept the defaults for the rest of the fields.

  3. After you set your netboot options, select OK and press Enter.
  4. On the Petitboot main window, select User Item 1 as your boot option and press Enter.

More information

For more information, see the following resources:

Notices

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2015, 2019. US Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.

IBM, the IBM logo, and ibm.com® are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Other product and service names might be trademarks of IBM or other companies. A current list of IBM trademarks is available on the web at Copyright and trademark information (www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml).