Installing SUSE LINUX v8.0 - IBM eServer xSeries 225

Steps

Supported systems

IBM eServer xSeries 225, type 8647, all models

Revision level: 0.46
Updated: 7 March 2003

Follow the eServer xSeries 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.

This document contains the following information:

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 SUSE LINUX version 8.0 installation
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 (if applicable)
4.2.4. Installing the system management device driver (if applicable)
4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the integrated LSI small computer system interface (SCSI) controller
4.4 Configuring arrays using the IBM ServeRAID adapter
4.5 Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.0
4.6 Optional: Installing security or package updates  

1.0 What you will need

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

• A registered copy of SUSE LINUX version 8.0.
• Supported hard disk drives. Visit the IBM ServerProven Compatibility Web site for a list of supported options and part numbers for your server.
• Supported adapters. Visit the IBM ServerProven Compatibility Web site for a 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.
• The IBM ServeRAID Support CD version 5.11 or later, if you are using an IBM ServeRAID adapter.

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
• For countries outside the US, begin at the IBM Web site.
• SUSE FTP site: ftp://ftp.suse.com/
• SUSE Web site: http://suse.com/us/support/download/index.html

You can download product specifications from the following sites:

• For a technical spec sheet for your IBM xSeries server, visit xSeries and BladeCenter Literature and click the icon next to your server's name under Data Sheets.

If you have experience with small computer system interface (SCSI), hardware, and the installation process, continue with section 3.0 Quick installation instructions for experienced users. Otherwise, continue with section 4.0 Detailed installation instructions.  

3.0 Quick installation instructions for experienced users

Complete the following steps to install SUSE LINUX version 8.0:

1. Start the server and insert the SUSE LINUX Version 8.0 CD 1 into the CD-ROM drive. If the CD does not start from CD 1, use CD 2 to start the server.
2. At the "boot:" prompt, press Enter to start the installation process.
3. You might be prompted to remove your installation media so that the server can restart. If the server restarts during the installation, you might see the message "The boot sector has changed."  Select Continue, Change is expected.
4. You might be prompted to insert additional CDs to complete the installation.

4.0 Detailed installation instructions

Complete the following steps to install SUSE LINUX version 8.0.

NOTES:

1. Network adapters can be installed and configured during or after the installation.
2. For integrated drive electronics (IDE) interface models, ensure 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 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.
   NOTE 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 Setting up the server. Otherwise, continue with step 4.
4. Install the hard disk drives in the drive bays.
5. Install the 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. Start the server.
2. When the IBM logo is displayed, press F1 to start the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
3. Verify 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, complete the following steps:
   1. 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.
   2. In the left pane, click Downloadable files.
   3. From the Select Your Product menu, select the product family.
   4. If you need to update the BIOS code, continue with section 4.2.1 Updating the BIOS code. If not, proceed to section 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the integrated LSI SCSI controller.
      NOTE: If you need to update the BIOS code, you must also update the diagnostics code, service processor firmware, and system management device driver.

Complete the following steps to update the BIOS code:  

1. 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.
2. In the Downloadable Files by Category menu, select BIOS (System).
3. To create the diskettes, run the executable (.exe) file under DOS or OS/2 and follow the instructions on the screen.
4. In the last window of the License Agreement, press the Y key.
5. Label the diskettes, using the part number of the image.
6. To update the BIOS code, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.

Complete the following steps to update the diagnostic code:  

1. 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.
2. In the Downloadable Files by Category menu, select Diagnostic.
3. To create the diskettes, run the executable (.exe) file under DOS or OS/2 and follow the instructions on the screen.
4. In the last window of the License Agreement, press the Y key.
5. Label the diskettes, using the part number of the image.
6. To update the diagnostics code, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.

Complete the following steps to update the service processor firmware:  

1. 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.
2. In the Downloadable Files by Category menu, select Advanced Systems Management.
3. To create the diskettes, run the executable (.exe) file under DOS or OS/2 and follow the instructions on the screen.
4. In the last window of the License Agreement, press the Y key.
5. Label the diskettes, using the part number of the image.
6. To update the service processor firmware, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.

4.2.4 Installing the system-management device driver (if applicable)

To install the system-management device driver, follow the specific installation instructions included in the readme file for your NOS.

If you are using an IDE interface, proceed to section 4.5 Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.0. If you are using the IBM ServeRAID adapter, proceed to section 4.4 Configuring arrays using the IBM ServeRAID adapter. Otherwise, continue with section 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the integrated LSI SCSI controller.

4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the integrated LSI SCSI controller

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

1. Start the server and press Ctrl+C when prompted.
2. If your server has one channel, proceed to step 2. Otherwise, continue with step 3.
3. Select the bus, device, and channel that you want to configure.
   NOTE: If you are using both channels of the integrated LSI SCSI controller, be sure to repeat steps 2 through 5 for both channels.
   
4. Select Device Properties.
5. Verify the boot SCSI ID:
   • If the server has one channel, verify 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, verify 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.
6. Complete the following steps to format each hard disk individually. Formatting might take up to 30 minutes, depending on the drive size.
   1. Scroll down to the row with the hard disk drive.
   2. Tab over to the Format column.
   3. Press Enter twice.
   4. When the formatting is complete, press any key to continue.
   5. Press Esc three times and select Exit the Configuration Utility.
7. Continue with section 4.5 Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.0.

4.4 Configuring arrays using the IBM ServeRAID Adapter

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

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, double-click LocalHost (Local system) and select Controller 1.
4. In the menu bar, click Actions; then, click Restore to factory-default settings.
5. In the Confirmation screen, click Yes.
6. In the Actions menu, select Configure RAID.
7. Select Custom configuration for controller 1; then, click Next.
8. Double-click each ID you want to add to the array and click Next.
9. Specify the RAID level and click Next.
10. Click Apply.
11. In the Confirmation screen, click Yes.
12. Click Reboot or Restart at the ServeRAID Manager screen and continue with section 4.5 Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.0

4.5 Installing SUSE LINUX version 8.0

NOTE: If you are using a ServeRAID controller, you might have to install SUSE LINUX 8.0 with a device-driver diskette. If the firmware version that is displayed when you start the server is higher than 4.90.18, complete the following steps to create the device-driver update diskette:

1. Insert the ServeRAID Support CD into the CD-ROM drive. Browse to the diskette directory and copy the suse.img file to a diskette:
   • For a server running a UNIX-like operating system, complete the following steps:
     1. Insert a blank diskette into the diskette drive.
     2. From the directory where the disk image is saved, type
        dd if=suse.img of=/dev/fd0
   • For a server running a Microsoft Windows operating system, use the Rawrite or EMT utility. Start the server.
2. Continue with the installation as in step 1 of the following procedure and press the Alt key at the startup menu. You are prompted to insert the update diskette. Make sure the diskette is in the diskette drive. Press Enter to continue.

1. Start the server and insert the SUSE LINUX Version 8.0 CD 1 into the CD-ROM drive. At the "boot options" prompt, press Enter. If the BIOS code does not support the larger boot image used on the first CD, complete the following steps to start the server:
   1. Insert the SUSE LINUX Version 8.0 CD 2 into the drive and start the server.
   2. At the "boot options" prompt, press Enter.
   3. Remove the SUSE LINUX Version 8.0 CD 2 from the drive and insert CD 1 into the drive.
   4. When you are prompted, select OK. YaST2 starts. The initialization phasemight take a few minutes.
2. At the "boot options" prompt, press Enter.
3. Click English (US) and click Accept.
4. If you are prompted, select New installation. In the Installation Settings window, settings are preselected for your server.
5. Review the following settings in the Installation Settings window and use the following guidelines to make any necessary changes. In many cases, it is not necessary to change settings other than the time zone.

Mode - Do not change this setting.

Keyboard layout - If the language is set correctly, in most cases, the correct keyboard setting is automatically selected. If you need to change the keyboard setting, click Keyboard. Make your selection, and then verify that your selection works properly by typing in the Keyboard test box.  Click Accept when finished.

Mouse - Changing the mouse type is not necessary in most cases. If you need to change the mouse type setting, click Mouse and make your selection; then, click Test to ensure that your mouse is working correctly. Click Accept when finished.

Partitioning - When you click Partitioning, the YaST2 proposed partitioning scheme is displayed. You can accept the proposed scheme, modify it, or discard it and create a custom partitioning scheme.

• To accept the proposed scheme, click Next.
• To modify the proposed scheme, click Modify. In the Expert Partitioner window, you can view and change existing partitions on the hard disk drives, using the following options:
  • Create Click Create to add new partitions.
  • Delete Select partitions that you want to delete, and click Delete.
  • Edit Click Edit to change existing partitions.
  • Resize FAT Click Resize FAT to resize DOS or Windows FAT partitions.
    NOTE: The LVM, RAID, and Expert options are not described in these instructions. For more information about partitioning, see the SUSE LINUX 8.0 Reference.
  • When you are finished, click Next.
• To discard the proposed scheme and create a custom partitioning scheme, click Discard, and click Next. In the Preparing Hard Disk - Step 1 window, select the hard disk where you want to install SUSE LINUX 8.0, and click Next. Perform one of the following procedures:
  • If existing partitions occupy all the space on the disk, click Use entire hard disk, or select partitions to be deleted, and click Next.
  • If the hard disk drive is new or has been low-level formatted, the following message is displayed:
    " There are no partitions on this disk yet. The entire disk will be used for SUSE LINUX."
    Click Next.
  • If existing partitions do not occupy all the space on the disk, the following message is displayed:
    " There is free space on the disk. Should YaST2 use this for SUSE LINUX? "
    If you click No, use the procedure for custom partitioning.
• Click Custom partitioning - for experts, and click Next. The following options are available:
  • Create - Click Create to add new partitions.
  • Delete - Select partitions that you want to delete, and click Delete.
  • Edit - Click Edit to change existing partitions.
    NOTE: for additional information about partitioning, see the SUSE LINUX 8.0 Reference.
• Create at least the following partitions:
  • A boot partition between 8MB and 30MB, with file system type EXT2 and mount point /boot.
  • A swap partition at least as large as the boot partition and as much as double the size of the physical random access memory (RAM), with file system type SWAP.
  • A root partition at least 200MB, with file system type EXT2 (for the most stable performance) or Reiser (for the best uptime). A minimum of 900MB is required for a default installation.
    NOTES:
    1. If you want to use the Crypt file system, see SUSE LINUX 8.0 Reference for more information.
    2. Only four partitions can be primary. If you want to create more than one additional partition, you will need to create a large logical partition.
• When you are finished, click Next.

Software - Use this option to change the default software configuration, which installs most basic networking, administrative, and development tools that are needed. In the Software Selection window, select the software configuration you want.
For a specialized selection, click Detailed selection. The following options are available:

• Commercial - Use this option to select software that is included under various commercial licenses.
• Select single packages - If you are an experienced user, you can use this option to add or remove single packages from the group pane in the Software Selections window.

Your software selection might result in software dependencies.
Complete the following steps to verify that there are no dependencies:

1. From the Software Selection window, click Select Single Packages. The Notify window is displayed.
2. To show software dependencies, click Show Dependency and make any adjustments. If there are no dependencies, click Continue, then click Next.

Booting - By default, Write LILO to the boot disk ("MBR") is selected. If you would like to select a device other than the first hard disk drive master boot record, click Booting, select Write LILO to a different partition, select a device, and click Accept.

Time zone Use this option to set the time zone for the installation. Under Hardware clock set to, set the hardware clock to local time or Greenwich mean time (GMT); then, click Accept.

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

6. After you click Accept, in the Warning window, click Yes, install. After the packages are installed, the following message is displayed: "The LILO boot sector has been written to disk."
7. Select OK.
8. If the server has more than one microprocessor or has Intel Hyper-Threading Technology enabled, remove the SUSE LINUX Version 8.0 CD 1 from the drive and select OK at the next prompt. The server might restart.
9. If you receive the message the boot sector has changed, click Change is expected.
10. At the SUSE boot display, press Enter or wait for the base components to be initialized.
11. Insert additional CDs, if you are prompted to do so.
12. At the Password for root field, in the System Administrator window, type the new administrator password twice, and click Next.
13. In the Add a New User window, type the information for one system user. You can also add other users and groups. When finished, click Next.
14. At the "Probing video hardware" prompt, click OK, or wait.
15. If the Configure Monitor window opens, select the applicable vendor and model for your monitor and click Next. At the "Probing video hardware" prompt, click OK, or wait.
16. In the Desktop Settings window, select one of the following options:
    • Text mode only - no graphical desktop - This option will not configure the graphical environment. If you select this option, click Next and proceed to step 24.
    • Graphical desktop environment This option is the default selection. If you select this option, auto-detected settings for the graphic environment are displayed.
17. Click Next to accept the settings and proceed to step 25. To change the settings, continue with step 18.
18. Click Change to change the graphic environment settings.
19. In the Desktop Settings - Details window, click Change Monitor and select the applicable vendor and model. Click Next to return to the Desktop Settings Details window.
20. If necessary, click Change Monitor and type the resolution, color depth, and refresh rate for your monitor.

    Attention: You can damage your hardware if you select values that are too high. Do not change these settings if you do not know the correct values to use.

21. Click Next to continue.
22. Click Next again.
23. In the informational window, click Continue.
24. Verify or adjust the configuration. When the configuration settings are correct, click Save Configuration.
    NOTE: If the window that displays the configuration settings does not open, press Ctrl+Alt+Backspace to return to the Desktop Settings window, and adjust the settings.
25. In the Installation Settings window, configure the hardware components. If you prefer, you can configure the hardware later using YaST2. When the settings are correct, click Next to finish the installation.
    NOTE: For a technical spec sheet for your IBM xSeries server, visit xSeries and BladeCenter Literature and click the icon next to your server's name under Data Sheets.

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 ensure that all software has the latest available security updates.

1. At the command prompt, type su. The program prompts you for the root password.
2. Type the root password. You can now run the program YaST2 as the root user.
3. Start YaST2 by typing yast2 at either a graphical terminal program (like xterm or konsole) or at the console command prompt.
4. Select Software, then select Online Update and, if you are in nongraphical mode, select Launch module.
5. In the Choice of installation source section, set the update mode to Automatic Update.
6. Accept the default source ftp://ftp.suse.com, or select a different mirror to achieve a faster download. A list of mirrors is available at http://www.suse.com/us/support/download/ftp/int_mirrors.html.
7. Select Next. The Connection and Data transfer window opens, and security and software updates are downloaded and installed.
   NOTE: If any updates are required for YaST2, a message is displayed that tells you to install those updates. Complete the following steps to install any updates:
   1. Select OK.
   2. After the YaST2 updates are installed, select OK.
   3. In the Installation Log file window, select No.
   4. In the Online Update Confirmation window, select Finish.
   5. Click Close to close the YaST2 Control Center, and return to step 1.
8. Select No in the Installation Log File window.
9. In the Online Update Confirmation window, select Finish.
10. Select Close to exit YaST 2.

NOTE: Run this update regularly to make sure all software has the latest security patches installed.