Installing Caldera OpenLinux eServer v2.3 - Netfinity 3500 M20

Steps

Revision Level: 1.0
Updated: 04/30/2000

Supported systems
8657 21Y, 22Y, 31Y, and 32Y
 
Follow the network operating system (NOS) installation instructions provided in this document in sequential order unless you are instructed differently. The windows and messages might differ from those in this document. Throughout this document the term Select is used to denote the use of arrow keys to highlight a menu selection.
 
Sections within this document
1.0 What you will need
2.0 Where to download drivers and files
3.0 Quick installation instructions for experienced users
4.0 Detailed installation instructions
4.1 Setting up the hardware for Caldera eServer version 2.3 installation
4.2 Setting up the basic input/output system (BIOS)
4.3 Configuring the hard disk drive(s) using the Integrated SCSI Controller
4.4 Configuring arrays using the IBM ServeRAID 3-L, 3-H, or 3-HB adapter
4.5 Installing Caldera eServer version 2.3
5.0 Appendix A: Installing the VESA/Frame Buffer Server
 
 
1.0 What You Will Need

• A copy of the Caldera eServer version 2.3
• Supported hard disk drives (Click here to view a list of supported options and part numbers for your server.)
• A supported adapter (Click here to view a list of supported options and part numbers for your server.)
• One blank diskette to create the system BIOS flash diskette if it is necessary (Refer to section 4.2.)
• If you use an IBM ServeRAID 3-L, 3-H, or 3-HB adapter, you will an IBM ServeRAID Support CD version 3.60 (part number 00N9126) or higher

   

2.0 Where to download drivers and files

• IBM U.S. Web site: http://www.ibm.com/systems/support
• For countries outside the US, begin at: http://www..ibm.com

NOTE: If you have prior experience with SCSI, hardware and the installation process, continue to reference 3.0 Quick installation instructions for experienced users. If you do not, continue to reference 4.0 Detailed installation instructions.

 
3.0 Quick Installation Instructions for Experienced Users

1. Click here to obtain the updated installation CD-ROM ISO images. If you are a registered Caldera systems customer with a valid registration number, you may request that a CD-ROM be sent to you through ground shipping. Contact the Caldera Systems support department at the main support number which is found in the customer manual.
2. Insert the "Caldera OpenLinux version 2.3 CD-ROM" and start the server.
3. At the "Start up" prompt, press Enter to start the installation program.
4. Follow the instructions that will guide you through the installation process and note the following information:
   • Installation in text mode is not supported. Symmetric Multi-Processors (SMP) support comes with OpenLinux version 2.3.
   • If you have more than one processor in your system, all processors are auto-detected and cat /proc/cpuinfo shows you all processor entries.

 
4.0 Detailed installation instructions
NOTE: The network adapter devices can be installed and configured during or after the installation process.  

 
4.1 Setting up the hardware for Caldera eServer version 2.3 installation

1. Unplug the server and remove the cover.
2. For the initial installation, install all microprocessors that you plan to use and remove all adapters and devices that are not required to get the base operating system installed. For example, if you plan to install multiple network adapters, only install one at this time. If you plan to use a tape drive or external SCSI device(s), disconnect them temporarily. After the operating system has started without any errors, reinstall the removed adapters and devices one at a time. This procedure streamlines the installation process.

NOTE: If you plan to use an external DASD enclosure, the following instructions will not apply. Refer to the documentation provided with the external enclosure for proper set up and continue with 4.2 Setting up the BIOS.

3. Install the hard disk drive(s) into the drive bay(s).
4. Reinstall the cover.
5. Plug in the server.

 
4.2 Setting up the BIOS

1. Turn on the server, and when the IBM logo appears, press F1 to enter the Configuration/Setup Utility.
2. Click here to verify that you are at the latest level of BIOS.
   • To determine the version of BIOS that is running on your server, select System Information, and then select Product Data. The BIOS Build Level field contains the BIOS version. The numbers in position 5, 6, and 7 of the level are the current BIOS level. For example, MWE109AUS is BIOS level 09A, US English.
   • Press Esc twice to return to the Configuration/Setup Utility menu.
   • If you determine that your BIOS does not need to be updated, continue with step 5.
3. If your BIOS does need to be updated, download the appropriate image. The image is a self-extracting, executable file (under DOS or OS/2) that will create a startable system BIOS flash diskette. Build the diskette image by running the .EXE file (under DOS or OS/2), and answering Y on the last page of the Licensing Agreement.
4. Restart the server with the BIOS diskette in the diskette driver and answer the questions appropriately. After the BIOS update is complete, you might receive a "162 Configuration has changed" error on startup; ignore this message. Setup will start and you can continue with step 5.

NOTE: If you do not see the "162 Configuration has changed" message at startup, you will need to press F1 when the IBM logo appears to enter Setup.

5. From the Configuration/Setup Utility menu, select Load Default Settings and press Enter.
6. Select Exit Setup and press Enter.
7. Select Yes, save and exit the Setup Utility and press Enter.

 
4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Integrated SCSI Controller

1. Start the server and press Ctrl+A when you are prompted.
2. Select Configure/View Host Adapter Settings.
3. Select Boot Device Options.
4. Verify that the Boot SCSI ID matches the SCSI that you plan to use for the Caldera eServer boot partition.
5. Press Esc twice to confirm the changes you made.  
6. Select SCSI Disk Utilities.
7. Format each hard disk drive individually by pressing Enter, while it is highlighted, selecting Format Disk, and responding Yes twice. The formatting process might take up to 30 minutes depending on the hard disk drive size.
8. When all formatting is complete, exit the SCSISelect utility.
9. Continue with 4.4 Installing Caldera eServer Linux v2.3 to complete the eServer installation process.

 
4.4 Configuring arrays using the IBM ServeRAID 3-L, 3-H, or 3-HB adapter

1. Upon initial start up, an error message that concerns the drive configuration and that is similar to the following message might be encountered:
   "Following drives not responding (oldstate:newstate:ch:bay) (ONL:DDD:2:1)(ONL:DDD:2:2) Identifiers for the following drives do not match configuration...".
2. Press F10 Exit without change.
3. Insert the IBM ServeRAID Configuration Management CD-ROM and restart the server.  
4. At the ServeRAID Manager window, highlight Controller 1.
5. From the menu bar, select Actions and then select Restore to factory default settings.
6. At the confirmation window, select Yes.
7. Under Actions, select Create arrays.
8. Select Custom configuration for controller 1 and click Next.
9. Double click each ID that you wish to add to the array and then click Next.
10. Specify the RAID level and click Next.
11. Select Apply.
12. At the confirmation window, select Yes.
13. At the ready drives confirmation window, select Yes.
14. In the menu bar, select File and select Exit.
15. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del at the exit screen.

NOTE: The procedure outlined in steps 14 through 20 disables the integrated Adaptec controller startup capability. You can still access devices attached to it with the proper device drivers loaded.

16. After the system has restarted, press Ctrl+A when you are prompted.
17. Select the channel you want to configure.
18. Select Configure/View Host Adapter Settings.
19. Select Advanced Configuration Options.  
20. Set the Host Adapter BIOS to Disabled:scan bus if non-boot devices are attached to the internal Adaptec controller, such as a CD-ROM or tape drive. If no devices are attached, set the Host Adapter BIOS to Disabled:NOT scan.  
21. Press Esc twice to confirm the changes you made.  
22. Press Esc a third time to return to the Bus:Device:Channel Selection window.  
23. If you are using both channels of the integrated Adaptec controller, be sure to repeat steps 15 through 20 for both channels. To exit the SCSISelect utility, press Esc and select Yes.  
24. Continue with 4.5 Installing Caldera eServer Linux v2.3 to complete the installation process.

 
4.5 Installing Caldera eServer Linux v2.3

1. Click here to obtain the updated installation CD-ROM ISO images. If you are a registered Caldera systems customer with a valid registration number, you may request that a CD-ROM be sent to you through ground shipping. Contact the Caldera Systems support department at the main support number which is found in the customer manual.
2. Insert the Caldera eServer version 2.3 Linux CD-ROM and startup the server.
3. At the Caldera Systems OpenLinux screen, press Enter.
4. At the Set Up Mouse screen, choose PS/2 mouse and Emulate 3rd buttons, and click Next.
5. At the Select keyboard type screen, select Generic 101-key PC for the model, select US English for the Layout and click Next.
6. At the Select Video Card screen, choose Generic frame buffer compatible video card and click Next.
7. At the Select Video Mode screen, choose the appropriate video mode and click Next.
8. At the Installation Target screen, choose Custom and click Next.
9. At the Partition Hard Disk(s) screen, choose the target hard disk drive partition for eServer version 2.3 and click Edit.
10. At the partition screen, specify the Boundary, the System Type and the Mount Point on which to define the partition. Repeat the process to create more than one partition.
11. You must create at least the following partitions:
    • A Linux native partition with at least 170MB hard disk drive space for a minimal install (a complete install requires 1.4GB)
    • A mount point /
    • A Linux swaps partition twice the size of the physical RAM on your system
12. Once the drive is configured correctly, click Write, and click Next when it becomes active.
13. At the Partition information screen, select Format chosen partitions; this step formats each partition. When the formatting process is complete, the Next button will become active. click Next.
14. At the Select Installation screen, select Web Server and click Next.
15. At the Set Root Password screen, type and confirm your password. Click Next.
16. At the Set Login Name(s) screen, type the information for your user account and click Add user. Additional user accounts can be set up after the installation process is finished.
17. At the Set Up Network screen, choose Ethernet configured using DHCP, type the correct hostname, and click Next. If you want to specify an IP address, choose Ethernet configured statically, type in all the information, enter the correct hostname, and click Next.
18. At the Linux Loader screen, select the operating system (Linux) to load, select Master boot record to install LILO, and click Next.
19. At the Choose Time Zone screen, choose the correct time zone. Leave the hardware clock at default (GMT) and click Next.
20. At the Entertainment screen, click Finish when it becomes active.
21. Remove the CD-ROM as the system restarts itself.

 
Appendix A: Installing the VESA/Frame Buffer Server

1. With the system started, login as root.  
2. At root command prompt, type setvesafb and press Enter.  
3. Select a supported 16bit number A from the table, and at the root command prompt, type setvesafb 791, and press Enter.
4. Verify in the /etc/lilo.conf file that the vga line is set to the selected 16 bit number. For example, vga= 791. If it is necessary, modify the line. At root command prompt, run the command lilo-v.

NOTE: You have to reboot (at root command prompt, type init 6) for the vesa frame buffer to take effect. If the number you chose does not work, restart, and at lilo: prompt, type labelname vga=normal to start into VGA mode. Select a different number and repeat the process until you find a number that works.