Installing Red Hat Linux v7.1 - IBM eServer xSeries 200 (Type 8479)

Steps

Revision Level: 1.02
Updated: 07/16/2001

Supported systems
8479 All models - IBM eserver xSeries 200

Follow the IBM eServer xSeries 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 and select a menu item.

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 for Red Hat Linux version 7.1 installation
4.2 Setting up the basic input/output system (BIOS)
4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the integrated SCSI controller
4.4 Configuring arrays using the IBM ServeRAID adapter
4.5 Installing Red Hat Linux version 7.1

1.0 What you will need

• A licensed copy of Red Hat Linux version 7.1
• Supported hard disk drives identified (Click here to view a list of the supported options and part numbers for your server.)
• A supported adapter (Click here to view a list of the supported options and part numbers for your server.)
• One blank diskette to create a boot disk (Label it "Boot Disk.")
• An IBM ServeRAID adapter (if you need an IBM ServeRAID Support CD version 4.70 or later)

2.0 Where to download device drivers and files
A ServerGuide CD may be used to partially automate system and ServeRAID BIOS updates, device driver installation, Linux installation and configuration, and post installation RPM updates. However, it is always prudent to check the following resources to ensure the most current levels have been installed:

• IBM U.S. Web site: http://www.ibm.com/systems/support
• Red Hat FTP site: ftp://ftp.redhat.com
• Red Hat Web site: http://www.redhat.com

If you have prior experience with small computer system interface (SCSI), hardware, and the installation process, continue with 3.0 Quick installation instructions for experienced users. If not, continue with 4.0 Detailed installation instructions.

3.0 Quick installation instructions for experienced users

1. Insert the "Red Hat Linux version 7.1 CD" and startup the server.
2. Follow the instructions that guide you through the installation process.
3. After the installation process, login as root and install the kernel errata. Click here for details.

Click here for other Red Hat Linux version 7.1 general Errata.

4.0 Detailed installation instructions
NOTE: When you install adapter devices in an IBM xSeries 200, the following restrictions apply:

• Slot 1 may only accommodate a single LAN adapter
• Slot 2 and slot 4 must be the same type of adapter (both LAN or both disk controllers)
• Slot 3 and slot 5 must be the same type of adapter (both LAN or both disk controllers)
• Slots are counted where the slot next to the AGP video adapter is slot 1 and the one farthest from the processors is slot 5

NOTE: For IDE models, ensure that your hard drive is the primary master.

4.1 Setting up the hardware for Red Hat Linux version 7.1 installation

1. Unplug the server and remove the cover.
2. If problems occur when you attempt to install multiple adapters and/or devices, for the initial installation, install all microprocessors 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 install multiple network adapters, install only one now. If you use a tape drive or external SCSI devices, disconnect them 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.

NOTE: If you plan to use an external direct access storage device (DASD) enclosure, the following instructions do not apply. Refer to the documentation provided with the external enclosure for the correct setup, and then; continue with 4.2 Setting Up the System Service Package.

3. Install the hard disk drives that you require into the drive bays.
4. Reinstall the cover.
5. Plug in the server.

4.2 Setting up the System Service Package
The System Service Package contains the latest BIOS, Diagnostics, System Management Processor Firmware files, and System Management Device Driver.

Download the appropriate image from the IBM Web or FTP. The image is a self-extracting, executable file (under DOS or OS/2) that creates these flash diskettes. Build the diskette images by running the .EXE file (under DOS or OS/2); select Y on the last page of the licensing agreement. Properly label the diskettes by using the part numbers to associate the correct names for the flash diskettes.

1. Start the server.
2. When the IBM logo appears, press F1 to enter the "Configuration/Setup Utility".
3. Verify that your BIOS Revision Level is at the latest level of BIOS on the IBM Web or FTP.

NOTE: If you need to update the BIOS, it is recommended to update the Diagnostics, System Management Processor Firmware, and System Management Device Driver as well.

4. To update the BIOS, complete the following steps:
   • Restart the server with the BIOS diskette in the diskette drive and set the file name to Program to flashfil.fls.
   • Answer the question "Do You Want to Save BIOS?" appropriately.
   • Select Y in response to "Are you sure you want to program?". (The server will restart when you are finished.)
5. To update the Diagnostics, complete the following steps:
   • Restart the server with Diagnostics disk #1 in the diskette drive.
   • Select Update Diagnostics.
   • Choose your desired language.
   • When you are prompted, insert "Diagnostic disk #2" and press Enter.
   • When completed, remove the disk from the drive and press Enter to restart the server.
6. To update the System Management Processor Firmware (if applicable), complete the following steps:
   • Restart the server with the "System Management Processor Firmware diskette" in the drive.
   • Select Update System Management Firmware.
   • At the "warning" screen, press Enter.
   • You may encounter a same version warning. If so, press Enter.
   • You may also encounter a newer version on hardware than diskette warning. If so, press Enter.
   • When completed, press Enter to return to the main menu.
   • Select Exit Utility and Yes, exit utility.
   • Remove the diskette, and press Enter to restart the server.
7. To install the "System Management Device Driver" (if applicable), instructions for installing this driver are NOS specific. Therefore, follow the install instructions included in the README.txt file for your particular NOS.

NOTE: Once all the updates are complete, as the system restarts, press F1 to enter the "Configuration/Setup Utility" when the IBM logo appears. You may receive an "162 Configuration has changed" error on startup; ignore this message.

8. From the "Configuration/Setup Utility" menu, select Load optimized defaults. From the "Load optimized defaults (Y/N)?" window, press Y and press Enter.
9. Scroll to "Start Options" and press Enter.
10. From the "Start Options" menu, select Startup Sequence and press Enter.
11. From the "Startup Sequence" menu, select CD ROM for the First Boot Device. Select Diskette Drive 0 for the Second Boot Device. Select Hard Disk 0 for the Third Boot Device. Select Disabled for the Fourth Boot Device.
12. Press Esc to return to the "Configuration/Setup Utility" menu, select Save and Exit Setup, and press Enter. At the "Save to CMOS and exit" window, select Y and press Enter.
13. If you use IDE, continue with section 4.5 Installing Red Hat Linux version 7.1. If you use the IBM ServeRAID adapter, continue with section 4.4 Configuring arrays using the IBM ServeRAID adapter. Otherwise, proceed to section 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the integrated SCSI controller.

4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the integrated SCSI controller

1. Start the server and press and hold Ctrl+A when you are prompted.
2. If your system has one channel, skip to step 4. Otherwise continue with step 3.
3. Select the Bus:Device:Channel you want to configure.

NOTE: If you use both channels of the integrated Adaptec disk controller, be sure to repeat steps 2 through 8 for both channels.

4. Select Configure/View Host Adapter Settings.
5. Press F6 to reset to host adapter defaults.
6. Select Boot Device Options (Configurations).
7. If you have one channel, verify that boot SCSI ID (via SCSI Disk Utilities) matches the drive identification (ID) that you plan to use for the boot partition.
8. If you have two channels, verify that the boot channel and boot SCSI ID (via SCSI Disk Utilities) matches the SCSI channel and drive identification (ID) that you plan to use for the boot partition.
9. Press Esc twice to confirm your changes.
10. To format the hard drive, select SCSI Disk Utilities.
11. Perform the following steps to format each hard disk drive individually:
    • Highlight the hard disk drive.
    • Press Enter.
    • Select Format Disk.
    • Select Yes twice. (The formatting process may take up to 30 minutes depending on the drive size.)
12. When the formatting process completes, exit the "SCSISelect Utility" by pressing Esc.
13. Proceed to section 4.5 Installing Red Hat Linux version 7.1.

4.4 Configuring arrays using the IBM ServeRAID adapter

1. Insert the "IBM ServeRAID Support CD".
2. Upon initial startup, an error message that relates to 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..." Press F10 (Exit without change).
3. If you are prompted, update the "ServeRAID BIOS and Firmware". Restart the server and repeat step 1 if it is necessary.
4. At the "ServeRAID Manager" window, highlight "Controller 1".
5. In the menu bar, select Actions. Select Restore to factory default settings.
6. At the "Confirmation" window, select Yes. (The confirmation window does not appear if you use the IBM ServeRAID Support CD version 4.7 or higher.)
7. Under "Actions", select Create arrays.
8. Select Custom configuration for controller 1. Select Next.
9. Double-click each ID you want to add to the array. Select Next.
10. Specify the RAID level, and select Next.
11. Select Apply.
12. At the "Confirmation" window, select Yes.
13. If you use the IBM ServeRAID Support CD version 4.7 or higher, select Reboot at the "ServeRAID Manager" window and proceed to step 16. When the system restarts, remove the CD from the CD-ROM drive. If you use a lower version, continue to step number 14.
14. At the "Ready Drives" confirmation window, select No.
15. Press and hold Ctrl+Alt+Delete at the exit window and remove the CD from the CD-ROM drive when the system restarts.

NOTE: On some machines it might be necessary to disable the integrated Adaptec controller startup (boot) capability. (You may still access devices attached to it if the proper device drivers loaded.) Follow these steps if problems are encountered with the ServeRaid configuration.

• After the system restarts and then prompts you, press and hold Ctrl+A.
• If you have a two-channel system, select the channel you want to configure.
• Select Configure/View Host Adapter Settings.
• Select Advanced Configuration Options.
• If a non-boot device is attached to the internal Adaptec controller, such as a CD-ROM or tape drive, set the "Host Adapter BIOS" to Disabled:scan bus. If no devices are attached, set the "Host Adapter BIOS" to Disabled:NOT scan.
• Press Esc twice and select Yes to save changes.
• Press Esc a third time to return to the "Bus:Device:Channel" selection window.
• If you use both channels of the integrated Adaptec controller, be sure to repeat steps 15b through 15g for both channels. To exit the "SCSISelect Utility", press Esc and select Yes.
• Continue with 4.5 Installing Red Hat Linux version 7.1.

4.5 Installing Red Hat Linux version 7.1

1. Insert the "Red Hat Linux version 7.1 CD" and start the server.
2. At the "Welcome to Red Hat Linux version 7.1" window, press Enter.
3. At the "Language Selection" window, select English and select Next.
4. At the "Keyboard Configuration" window, select Generic 105-Key(Intl), U.S.English and select Next.
5. At the "Mouse Configuration" window, select 2 Button Mouse (PS/2) or 3 Button Mouse (PS/2) and select Next.
6. At the "Welcome Screen", select Next.
7. At the "Installation Type" window, select Install Custom System and select Next.

NOTE: If you encounter the notification that the partition table is corrupt, select Initialize.

8. At the "Disk Partitioning" window, select Manually partition with Disk Druid. When you are finished, select Next.

You must create at least the following partitions:

• Mount Point "/" that is 1.2 – 2.4 GB in size and of type Linux native must be selected
• Mount Point "/boot", which has a maximum size of 32MB and is of type Linux native
• A Swap partition that is at least 32 MB or twice the size of system memory, but no more than 128MB (The mount point information for the swap partition is left blank and Linux swap type must be selected.)

9. At the "Choose Partitions to Format" window, verify appropriate partitions are selected and select Next.
10. At the "LILO Configuration" screen, verify that the Create boot disk, Install LILO, Master Boot Record (MBR), Use linear mode, and Default boot image items are selected and select Next.
11. At the "Network Configuration" window, configure any network adapters and select Next.
12. At "Firewall Configuration" window, configure the security settings and select Next.
13. At "Language Selection" window, choose appropriate languages to install and select Next.
14. At the "Time Zone Selection" window, highlight the correct time zone and select Next.
15. At the "Account Configuration" window, type and confirm your root password and add any additional accounts. When you are finished, select Next.
16. At the "Authentication Configuration" window, select Next. For more information about types of passwords, refer to the Red Hat "Linux Installation Guide".
17. At the "Package Group Selection" window, choose desired packages and select Next.
18. At the "X Configuration" window, select the ATI Mach64 video adapter, the appropriate amount of video card RAM, and select Next.
19. At the "Monitor Configuration" window, select the appropriate monitor and select Next.
20. At the "Custom Configuration" window, select the appropriate items. You might want to test your configuration by selecting "Test Setting". When you are finished, select Next.
21. At the "About to Install" window, select Next.
22. At the "Boot Disk" window, follow the instructions on the screen to create the boot disk and remove the diskette when you are finished.
23. At the "Congratulations" window, select Exit. Remove any CD-ROMs or diskettes from their drive.

NOTE: Upon reboot, the IBM BIOS may return a "Virus Warning" message. Select Change is expected.

24. After the installation process, login as root and install the kernel errata. Click here for details.
    

Click here for other Red Hat Linux version 7.1 General Errata.