Installing Red Hat Linux version 9 - IBM eServer xSeries 305

Steps

Contents

Installation Instructions for Red Hat Linux Version 9 for IBM eServer xSeries 305 (Type 8673)

1.0 What you will need

2.0 Where to download device drivers and files

3.0 Quick installation instructions for experienced users

4.0 Detailed installation instructions

• 4.1 Setting up the hardware
• 4.2 Updating the BIOS Code
• 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Adaptec SCSI controller
• 4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID Adapter
• 4.5 Installing Red Hat Linux Version 9

5.0 Notices

Revision Level: 1.03

Updated: 11 May 2004

(C) Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 2004. All rights reserved. US Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication, or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.

NOTE: Before using this information and the product it supports, read the general information under 5.0 Notices in this document.

Supported Systems: IBM eServer xSeries 305 (Type 8673)

Follow the network operating system (NOS) installation instructions provided in this document in sequential order unless these instructions advise you otherwise. 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 make a selection from a menu. The term "click" is used to denote the use of a mouse to make a selection.

• A registered copy of Red Hat Linux Version 9.
• Supported hard disk drives. Go to http://www-03.ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/ for the ServerProven list of supported options and part numbers for your server.
• Supported adapters. Go to http://www-03.ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/ for the ServerProven list of supported options and part numbers for your server.
• One blank diskette to create a BIOS code flash diskette. You might need additional blank diskettes for firmware updates.
• If you are using an IBM ServeRAID adapter, you need the IBM ServeRAID Support CD version 6.10 or later.

You can download device drivers and files from the following sites:

• IBM US support Web site: http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/
• IBM device driver download site: Software and device drivers
• For countries outside the US, start at http://www.ibm.com/

You can download product specifications from the following sites:

• Red Hat FTP site: ftp://ftp.redhat.com/
• Red Hat Web site: http://www.redhat.com
• For IBM xSeries product specifications, go to http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/education/cust/xseries/xref.html

Complete the following steps to install Red Hat Linux Version 9:

1. In the "boot" screen, press Enter.
2. In the CD Found window, select OK to test CD media.
3. In the Welcome window, press Enter.
4. Follow the instructions that guide you through the installation.

   NOTE:

   For a hardware summary of IBM xSeries servers, go to http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/literature.html and click the data sheet for your server.

5. If a virus warning message is displayed, click Change is expected.
6. Complete the following steps to install the device driver:
   1. To remove the tg3 module, type rmmod tg3.
   2. Download and install the latest Broadcom device driver from http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/
   3. Edit the /etc/modules.conf file and replace tg3 with bcm5700.

Complete the steps in the following sections to install Red Hat Linux Version 9.

NOTE: Network adapters can be installed and configured during or after the installation. For integrated drive electronics (IDE) interface models, make sure that your hard disk drive is the primary master device.

Complete the following steps to prepare the hardware:

1. Disconnect the server from the power source and remove the server cover.
2. If problems occur when you attempt to install multiple adapters or devices, for the initial installation, remove all adapters and devices that are not required for the base operating system to be installed. Disconnect any tape drives or external SCSI devices temporarily. After the operating system is starting without errors, reinstall the removed adapters and devices one at a time. This procedure simplifies the installation process.
3. If you plan to use an external storage enclosure, set up the enclosure, using the instructions that come with the enclosure; then, continue with section 4.2 Updating the BIOS Code. Otherwise, continue with step 4.
4. Install the hard disk drives in the drive bays.
5. Install the server cover.
6. Connect the server to the power source.

Complete the following steps to set up the server:

1. Turn on the server.
2. When the IBM logo is displayed, press F1 to start the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
3. Make sure that the BIOS code is at the latest revision level that is available from the IBM Web site or FTP site.
4. If you need to download the BIOS code, download the applicable image from the IBM Web site or FTP site. The image is a self-extracting, executable file (under DOS or IBM OS/2) that creates the flash diskettes.
   1. In the Download section, select Downloads & drivers.
   2. On the Download and drivers page, in the Brand field, select Servers.
   3. In the Family field, select xSeries 305.
   4. Select Continue.
   5. On the xSeries 305 Support page, in the Filter list by category menu, select BIOS.
   6. To create the diskettes, run the executable (.exe) file under DOS or OS/2 and follow the instructions on the screen.
   7. In the last License Agreement window, press the Y key.
   8. Label the diskettes, using the part numbers of the image.
   9. To update the BIOS code, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.
5. If you are using IDE, and using an IBM ServeRAID adapter, go to section 4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID Adapter. If you are using IDE, and not using an IBM ServeRAID adapter go to section 4.5 Installing Red Hat Linux Version 9. Otherwise, continue with section 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Adaptec SCSI controller.

Complete the following steps to configure the hard disk drives using the Adaptec SCSI controller:

1. Turn on the server and press Ctrl+A when prompted.
2. If the server has only one channel, go to step 4. Otherwise, continue with step 3.
3. Select the bus, device, and channel you want to configure.

   NOTE: If you are using both channels of the integrated Adaptec controller, be sure to follow steps 3 through 7 for each channel.

4. Select Configure/View Host Adapter Settings.
5. Select Boot Device Options.
6. Make sure that the boot SCSI ID is correct:
   • If the server has only one channel, make sure that the boot SCSI ID matches the drive identification (ID) that you plan to use for the boot partition.
   • If the server has two channels, make sure that the boot channel and boot SCSI ID match the SCSI channel and drive identification (ID) that you plan to use for the boot partition.
7. Press Esc twice to confirm your changes.
8. Select SCSI Disk Utilities.
9. Complete the following steps to format each hard disk individually. Formatting might take up to 30 minutes, depending on the drive size.
   1. Select the hard disk drive.
   2. Press Enter.
   3. Select Format Disk.
   4. Press the Y key twice.
10. When formatting is completed, exit the SCSI Disk Utilities.
11. If you are using an IBM ServeRAID adapter, continue with section 4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID Adapter. Otherwise, go to section 4.5 Installing Red Hat Linux Version 9.

When the server starts, an error message concerning drive configuration similar to the following message is displayed.

-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
-Drive(s) not responding or found at new location(s)
-Standby device(s) not responding or found at new location(s)

This error message indicates that you need to configure the arrays. If you see this error message, complete the following steps to configure arrays:

1. Insert the IBM ServeRAID Support CD into the CD-ROM drive and press F10 to continue without changing the configuration.
2. If prompted, update the ServeRAID BIOS code and ServeRAID firmware. Restart the server and repeat step 1, if necessary.
3. In the ServeRAID Manager screen, select LocalHost (Local system) and select Controller 1.
4. In the menu bar, select Actions; then, select Restore to factory-default settings.
5. In the Confirmation screen, select Yes.
6. In the Actions menu, select Configure RAID.
7. Select Custom configuration for controller 1; then, select Next.
8. Select each ID you want to add to the array and select Next.
9. Specify the RAID level and select Next.
10. Select Apply.
11. In the Confirmation screen, select Yes.
12. Select Reboot or Restart at the ServeRAID Manager screen and continue with section 4.5 Installing Red Hat Linux Version 9.

Complete the steps in the following sections to install Red Hat Linux Version 9:

1. In the boot screen, press Enter.
2. In the CD Found window, select OK to test CD media.
3. In the Welcome window, press Enter.
4. In the Language Selection window, select English, then Next.
5. In the Keyboard Configuration window, select US English, then Next.
6. In the Mouse Configuration window, select 2 Button Mouse (PS/2) or 3 Button Mouse (PS/2) , then Next.
7. In the Installation Type window, select Custom and select Next.
8. In the Disk Partitioning window, select Manually partition with Disk Druid, then Next.

   NOTE: If a message that the partition table is corrupt or unreadable is displayed, select Initialize.

9. In the Disk Setup window, create at least the following partitions:
   • A root partition with mount point /, file-system type ext3, and 2.3 to 5.0GB in size
   • A /boot partition with mount point /boot, file-system type ext3, and 100MB in size
   • A swap partition at least 32MB or twice the size of system memory, but less than 2GB. Leave the mount point information for the swap partition blank and select file-system type swap.
10. In the Boot Loader Configuration window, verify that the GRUB boot loader and the default boot loader options are selected. Select the Use a boot loader password check box to create a GRUB password if you want to, and select Next.
11. In the Network Configuration window, configure any network adapters and select Next. See the online help for details.
12. In the Firewall Configuration window, configure the security settings and select Next. See the online help for details.
13. In the Additional Language Support window, make sure that the Default Language for the operating system is correct, then select the languages in which you want to install the operating system and Next.
14. In the Time Zone Selection window, select the correct time zone, then select Next.
15. In the Set Root Password window, type and confirm your root password, then select Next.
16. In the Authentication Configuration window, select Next. For more information about types of passwords, see the Red Hat Linux Installation Guide.
17. In the Package Group Selection window, scroll down to the Development section, select Kernel Development and any other packages that you want to install, then select Next.
18. In the About to Install window, select Next.
19. In the boot disk window, follow the instructions on the screen to create the startup diskette. Remove the diskette when finished.
20. In the Graphical Interface(x) Configuration window, make sure that the probed video adapter and the amount of video adapter RAM are correct, then select Next.

    NOTE:

    For a summary of IBM xSeries server hardware, go to http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/literature.html and view the xSeries and BladeCenter data sheets.

21. In the Monitor Configuration window, select the applicable monitor, then Next.
22. In the Customize Graphics Configuration window, select the applicable items and select Next.
23. In the Congratulations window, select Exit.
24. When the server restarts, if a virus warning message is displayed, select Change is expected.
25. At the Welcome screen, select Forward.
26. At the User Account Screen, add users and select Forward.
27. At the Date and Time Screen, make the applicable changes and select Forward.
28. At the Red Hat Network Screen (Registration), select either Yes or No, then Forward.
29. At the Additional CDs Screen, install other CDs or packages, and select Forward.
30. At the Finish Setup Screen, select Forward.
31. Log in as root user and install the latest kernel errata, using RPM. In the /etc/grub.conf file, if default=0, the updated kernel starts automatically. For details and other general information, go to https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/rh9-errata.html.

    If you are using an IBM ServeRAID adapter, after updating the kernel and before restarting the server, update the ServeRAID device driver as described in RETAIN tip tip H175979 at Red Hat Linux kernels: Compiling the ServeRAID driver - Servers.

32. Complete the following steps to install the device driver:
    1. To remove the tg3 module, type rmmod tg3.
    2. Download and install the latest Broadcom device driver from www.ibm.com/systems/support/.
    3. Edit the /etc/modules.conf file and replace tg3 with bcm5700.

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