Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.2 - IBM eServer xSeries 255

Steps

Revision Level: 1.12
Updated: 25 August 2004

Supported systems

8685 - IBM eServer xSeries 255

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, the Tab key, or Alt + a letter combination to make a selection from a menu. The term click is used to denote the use of a mouse to make a selection.

Sections within this document

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 Setting up the server
4.2.1 Updating the BIOS code
4.2.2 Updating the diagnostic code
4.2.3 Updating the service processor firmware
4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Adaptec SCSI controller
4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID adapter
4.5 Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.2
4.6 Optional: Loading security or package updates
5.0 Notices

1.0 What you will need

You must have the following hardware and software for the installation:

• A registered copy of SUSE LINUX version 8.2.
• 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 7.0 or later.

2.0 Where to download device drivers and files

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

• IBM U.S. Support Web site: http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/
• IBM device driver download site: Software and device drivers
• For countries outside the U.S., start at http://www.ibm.com/
• SUSE LINUX FTP site: ftp://ftp.suse.com/
• SUSE LINUX Web site: http://suse.com

You can download product specifications from the following sites:

• For IBM xSeries(R) product specifications, go to http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/education/cust/xseries/xref.html

3.0 Quick installation instructions for experienced users

Complete the following steps to install SUSE LINUX version 8.2 on your server:

1. When prompted at the boot screen, use the arrow keys to scroll to Installation, then press Enter to start the installation process. If you installed the graphical environment components on a server with a Remote Supervisor Adapter II, or if you plan to use a remote control environment to access the server, press F2, scroll to Text Mode and press Enter two times.

   Note: This will result in a text-based installation. To select items, use the Tab and arrow keys to highlight each item, then press Enter. You can also select items that contain a highlighted letter in their text by pressing Alt + that letter.

2. Follow the YaST2 prompts to continue with the installation. Use the following installation information:
   • At the Installation Setting screen, select Booting and make sure that the Replace Code in MBR option is set. If this option is not set, complete the following steps:
     1. Select Replace Code in MBR, then select Edit.
     2. Select Set.
     3. Select OK.
     4. Select Accept.

     If the server has more than one microprocessor or has Intel Hyper-Threading Technology enabled, complete the following steps:

     1. Select Edit Configuration Files.
     2. Type the parameter acpi=oldboot at the end of the first line that starts with kernel under File Contents.
     3. Select OK.
     4. Select Accept.
   • The installer might require a restart.
     1. Make sure that there is no bootable installation media accessible to the server and select OK.
     2. If the basic input/output system (BIOS) message the boot sector has changed is displayed, select Continue, Change is expected.
     3. In the SUSE startup screen, press Enter or wait for the server to initialize the base components.
   • If you installed the graphical environment components on a server with a Remote Supervisor Adapter II, or if you plan to use a remote control environment to access the server, the mouse might not function after the server is restarted. Complete the following steps:
     1. Press Ctrl+Alt+F2 and then press Enter.
     2. At the command prompt, type:
        
        /sbin/modprobe mousedev
        echo "/sbin/modprobe mousedev" >> /etc/init.d/boot.local
        
     3. Press Alt+F7 to return to the installer.
   • If you did not install the graphical environment components, a message is displayed stating that a graphical installation is not possible. Select OK. (The text-based YaST2 will be used from this point.)
   • You might be prompted to insert additional CDs (or DVDs, if applicable) to complete the package installation.
   • If you installed the graphical environment components on a server with a Remote Supervisor Adapter II, or if you plan to use a remote control environment to access the server, you will need to use a VESA mode driver for the graphical environment. The preferred mode is the VESA driver at 1024x768@75Hz. For details about using the VESA driver for the graphical environment, see the documentation that comes with the Remote Supervisor Adapter II and see the SUSE documentation.

     Note: To force SaX2 to use the VESA driver, type:

     sax2 -m 0=vesa

   • For advanced installation topics, such as information about how to configure a network installation server or how to configure an unattended installation, see the documentation that comes with the operating system or reference the SUSE online documentation.

4.0 Detailed installation instructions

Complete the steps in the following sections to install SUSE LINUX version 8.2.

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.

4.1 Setting up the hardware

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 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.

4.2 Setting up the server

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 update the BIOS code, continue with 4.2.1 Updating the BIOS code. If not, go to 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Adaptec SCSI controller. If you need to update the BIOS code, you must also update the diagnostics code and the service processor firmware.

Complete the following steps to update the BIOS code:

1. Download the applicable image from the IBM Support Web site or FTP site. The image is a self-extracting, executable file (under DOS or IBM OS/2) that creates the flash diskettes.
2. To create the diskettes, run the executable (.exe) file under DOS or OS/2 and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. In the last window of the License Agreement, press the Y key.
4. Label the diskettes, using the part number of the image.
5. To update the BIOS code, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.
6. Continue to 4.2.2 Updating the diagnostic code

4.2.2 Updating the diagnostic code

Complete the following steps to update the diagnostic code:

1. Download the applicable image from the IBM Support Web site or FTP site. The image is a self-extracting, executable file (under DOS or IBM OS/2) that creates the flash diskettes.
2. To create the diskettes, run the executable (.exe) file under DOS or OS/2 and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. In the last window of the License Agreement, press the Y key.
4. Label the diskettes, using the part number of the image.
5. To update the diagnostics code, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.
6. Continue to 4.2.3 Updating the service processor firmware.

4.2.3 Updating the service processor firmware

Complete the following steps to update the service processor firmware:

1. Download the applicable image from the IBM Support Web site or FTP site. The image is a self-extracting, executable file under DOS or IBM OS/2 that creates the flash diskettes.
2. To create the diskettes, run the executable (.exe) file under DOS or OS/2 and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. In the last window of the License Agreement, press the Y key.
4. Label the diskettes, using the part number of the image.
5. To update the service processor firmware, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.
6. Continue to 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Adaptec SCSI controller.

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, and not using Adaptec HostRAID, go to 4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID adapter. Otherwise, go to 4.5 Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.2.

4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID adapter

When the server starts, an error message concerning drive configuration similar to the following 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 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 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 4.5 Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.2.

4.5 Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.2

Notes:

If you install SUSE LINUX on a remote server using a remote-control environment, you might have problems with the mouse synchronization. If you do, you must double-click items that you would otherwise single click. In a screen where using the mouse is difficult, you can use keyboard controls such as Alt+underlined letter to select a menu item and the Tab key to navigate within the screen. For more information about how to synchronize the mouse after installation, go to
MIGR-45201.html.

If you are using a ServeRAID controller, it might be necessary to install SUSE LINUX 8.2 with a device driver diskette. If the firmware version (shown when the server starts) is later than 6.00.xx, complete the following steps to create the update device driver diskette:

1. Obtain the SUSE update image file for the latest ServeRAID code.
   • If your server is running a UNIX operating system, complete the following steps:
     1. Insert a blank diskette into the diskette drive.
     2. From the directory where the update image file is saved, type
        
        dd if=suse.img of=/dev/fd0
        
        (where suse.img is the name of the update image file)
        
   • If your server is running a Microsoft Windows operating system, use the Rewrite or EMT utility.
2. Press the Alt key at the boot screen.
3. At the message Please get your driver update floppy ready, insert the update diskette into the diskette drive and press Enter.

Complete the following steps to install SUSE LINUX version 8.2 on your server:

1. When prompted at the boot screen, use the arrow keys to scroll to Installation, then press Enter to start the installation process. If you installed the graphical environment components on a server with a Remote Supervisor Adapter II, or if you plan to use a remote control environment to access the server, press F2, scroll to Text Mode and press Enter two times.
2. Select English (US), then select Accept.
3. If you are prompted, select New installation, then select OK.
4. Review the following settings in the Installation Settings screen and use the following guidelines to make any necessary changes. Make sure that you follow the instructions under the Booting section. When you are finished, select Accept.

   Mode - Do not change this.

   Keyboard layout - If the language is set correctly, in most cases the correct keyboard setting is automatically selected. Select Keyboard to modify the keyboard mapping. Select the keyboard layout from the list. You can check that it works correctly by typing in the "Keyboard test" box. When you are finished, select Accept.

   Mouse - Select Mouse if you need to change the type of mouse you are using. Changing the mouse type is not necessary in most cases. Select the correct mouse from the list and select Test to make sure that it is working with your mouse. When you are finished, select Accept.

   Partitioning - Select Partitioning if you need to change the partitioning scheme for your hard disk drive. The YaST2 proposed partitioning scheme is displayed. Select one of the following:

   • To accept the proposed scheme, select Next.
   • To modify the proposed scheme, select Base partition setup on this proposal, then select Next. In the Expert Partitioner screen you can view and change existing partitions on the hard disk drive by selecting the following options:
     • Create - To add new partitions.
     • Delete - To delete partitions, select Partition, then select Delete.
     • Edit - To change existing partitions.
     • Resize - To change existing partition sizes.

     When you are finished, select Next.

   • To discard the proposed scheme, select Create custom partition setup, then Next. In the Preparing Hard Disk - Step 1 screen, use one of the following procedures:
     • Select the hard disk drive where you want to install SUSE LINUX 8.2, then select Next. If there are pre-existing partitions that take up all of the space on the drive, choose one of the following options:
       • Select Use entire hard disk, then select Next.
       • Select the partitions that can be deleted, then select Next.

       If the drive has been low-level formatted or is new, select Next. If there are pre-existing partitions on the drive that do not take up all of the space, the message There is free space on the disk. Should YaST2 use this for SuSE Linux? is displayed. If you select No, use the procedure for custom partitioning.

     • Select Custom partitioning - for experts and Next. Then select from the following options:
       • Create - To add new partitions.
       • Delete - To delete partitions, select Partition, then select Delete.
       • Edit - To change existing partitions.
       • Resize - To change existing partition sizes.

       At a minimum, create the following partitions:

       • A swap partition up to two times the size of the physical random access memory (RAM)., with file system type SWAP.
       • A root partition of at least 350MB with the file system type EXT2 (for the most stable performance) or Reiser (for the best uptime). A minimum of 2GB for a default installation.

   Notes:

   • If you want to use the Crypt file system, or any of the other options (such as LVM or RAID) for partitioning that are not described in this document, see the SuSE Linux 8.2 User Guide or the SuSE Linux 8.2 Administration Guide.
   • Only four partitions can be primary. If you want to create more than four partitions, you will need to create a logical partition for them.

   Software - Use this option to change the default software configuration, which installs most of the basic networking, administrative, and development tools that are needed. In the Software Selection screen, select the software configuration that you want.

   For a specialized selection, select Detailed selection. You can then select specific software packages using the package tool. When you are finished, select Accept.

   Booting - Select Booting and make sure that the Replace Code in MBR option is set. If this option is not set, complete the following steps:

   1. Select Replace Code in MBR, then Edit.
   2. Select Set.
   3. Select OK.
   4. Select Accept.

   If the server has more than one microprocessor or has Intel Hyper-Threading Technology enabled, complete the following steps:

   1. Select Edit Configuration Files.
   2. Type the parameter acpi=oldboot at the end of the first line that starts with kernel under File Contents.
   3. Select OK.
   4. Select Accept.

   Time zone - Use this option to set the time zone for the installation. First, select the correct time zone from the list. Then, under the Hardware clock set to section, set either local time or UTC, depending on how you have set the clock for your server BIOS code. When you are finished, select Accept.

   Language - Use this option to specify the language for the installation. To specify a language, select Language, make your selection, and select Accept.

5. After selecting Accept, select Yes, install at the Warning screen.
6. If the server has more than one microprocessor, or has Intel Hyper-Threading Technology enabled, make sure that there is no bootable installation media accessible to the server and select OK.

   If you installed the graphical environment components on a server with a Remote Supervisor Adapter II, or if you plan to use a remote control environment to access the server, the mouse might not function after the server is restarted. Complete the following steps:

   1. Press Ctrl+Alt+F2 and then press Enter.
   2. At the command prompt, type:
      
      /sbin/modprobe mousedev
      echo "/sbin/modprobe mousedev" >> /etc/init.d/boot.local
      
   3. Press Alt+F7.
7. You might be prompted to insert additional CDs (or DVDs, if applicable) to finish installing the packages.
8. At the "Password for 'root', the system administrator" screen, type the administrative password that you want twice, then select Next.
9. If the Network Configuration screen is displayed, choose one of the following options:
   • Select Skip Configuration, then select Next to configure the network later.
   • Select Use Following Configuration (this is the default selection), then select Next to accept the preconfigured settings. This usually configures the first network device to connect using DHCP.
   • You can use the Change menu to change the settings for various devices. Refer to the SuSE Linux 8.2 User Guide or the SuSE Linux 8.2 Administration Guide for more information. When you are finished changing the configuration, select Next to continue the installation process.
10. If the Test Internet Connection screen is displayed, choose one of the following:
    • Select Yes, Test Connection to the Internet (default) if the server is connected to the external network (Internet) and was configured for access in the previous step. Select Next and complete the following steps:
      1. At this point the server downloads the latest release notes and checks for updates. Select Next.
      2. Select OK at the Online Updates Available prompt to run the online update.
      3. Select Next to accept the default settings at the Welcome to YaST Online Update screen.
      4. Select OK when the list of possible package updates is displayed. This installs all of the recommended updates for your server.
      5. If you receive unresolved dependency errors, it is best to either ignore them or perform the recommended action to solve the dependency issue, depending on the situation.
      6. Select Finish after all necessary patches are installed.
    • Select No, Skip this test if the server is not connected to the external network, or if it was not configured for Internet access in the previous step.
11. If the User Authentication Method screen appears, verify that Stand-Alone Machine is selected, then select Next.

    Note: If you want to configure the server for network authentication, refer to the SUSE LINUX documentation for more information.

12. At the Add a New Local User screen, type the information for one system user. You can also add additional users and groups or change the password settings by selecting the respective buttons. When you are finished, select Next.
13. At the Release Notes screen, read the release notes and, when you are finished, select Next.
14. The Hardware Configuration screen enables you to configure other hardware on your server. This can also be done later using the YaST2 configuration tools.

    If you installed the graphical environment components on a server with a Remote Supervisor Adapter II, or if you plan to use a remote control environment to access the server, you will need to use a VESA mode driver for the graphical environment. The preferred mode is the VESA driver at 1024x768@75Hz. For details about using the VESA driver for the graphical environment, see the documentation that comes with the Remote Supervisor Adapter II and see the SuSE documentation.

    Note: To force SaX2 to use the VESA driver, type:
    
    sax2 -m 0=vesa
    

    Use the following information to configure other hardware:

    • If the monitor is not detected correctly, complete the following steps:
      1. Select Change, then scroll to Graphics Cards and press Enter.
      2. Select Yes at the Unknown Monitor prompt.

         ATTENTION: It is possible to damage your hardware by selecting the wrong monitor. Do not make changes if you do not know the correct settings for your monitor.

      3. At the Monitor-Model tab, select Properties, then set the correct monitor. If your exact monitor is not listed, use a similar model or select an appropriate VESA mode. When you are finished, select OK.
      4. At the Currently configured monitors screen, select Finish.
      5. Select Finalize.
      6. At the SaX2 final steps screen, select Save to save your new configuration.
      7. At the Configuration saved screen, select OK.
    • If you want to change the resolution or color depth for the server graphical user interface (GUI), complete the following steps:
      1. Select Change, then scroll to Graphics Cards and press Enter.
      2. Select Color and Resolution.
      3. Select Properties and chose the desired color depth at the Colors tab.

         ATTENTION: It is possible to damage your hardware by making these settings too high. Do not make changes if you do not know the correct settings.

      4. Select the next tab, and chose the maximum desired resolution for the GUI.
      5. When you are finished, select OK.
      6. At the Currently configured desktops screen, select Finish.
      7. Select Finalize.
      8. At the "SaX2 final steps" screen, select Save to save your new configuration.
      9. At the "Configuration saved" screen, select OK.

    When you are finished with the Hardware Configuration screen, select Next.

15. At the Installation Completed screen, select Finish to complete the installation.

Notes:

• For advanced installation topics, such as information about how to configure a network installation server or how to configure an unattended installation, see the documentation that comes with the operating system or reference the SUSE online documentation.
• Read the following information before building any device drivers on your server: MIGR-53357

4.6 Optional: Loading security or package updates

After the installation and network are set up, complete the following steps to install any security or package updates from SUSE. Run this update regularly to make sure that all software has the latest available security updates.

1. Open a graphical terminal program (such as xterm or konsole), or log in at the console command prompt.
2. If you are using a graphical terminal program, type xhost +.
3. Type su. The program asks for the root password.
4. Type the root password. You can now run the program YaST2 as the root user.
5. Start YaST2 by typing yast2.
6. Select Software, then select Online Update.
7. Choose one of the following for the installation source:
   • Leave the default value of ftp.suse.com.
   • Change to a different mirror for a better download time if necessary. A list of mirrors is available at http://www.suse.com/us/support/download/ftp/int_mirrors.html.
8. Select Next. The "Connection and Data transfer" screen opens and the security and software patch descriptions are downloaded.
9. Select Accept to install all recommended updates.
10. Select Finish.
11. Select Close to exit YaST2.

5.0 Notices

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some jurisdictions do not allow disclaimer of express or implied warranties in certain transactions, therefore, this statement may not apply to you.

This information could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this publication at any time without notice.

IBM, eServer, xSeries, e-business logo, ServerProven, ServeRAID, PS/2, and OS/2 are trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.

Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.

Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both.

Adaptec and HostRAID are trademarks of Adaptec, Inc., in the United States, other countries, or both.

Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.