Installing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 - IBM System x3950 (Type 8878) and System x3950 E (Type 8879)

Steps

Installation Instructions for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 for IBM System x3950 (Type 8878 and 8879)

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 Preparing the hardware
• 4.2 Updating the system firmware
  • 4.2.1 Updating the BIOS code
  • 4.2.2 Updating the diagnostic code
  • 4.2.3 Updating the baseboard management controller firmware
  • 4.2.4 Updating the Remote Supervisor Adapter II or Remote Supervisor Adapter II Slimline firmware
• 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Adaptec SAS controller
• 4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID adapter
• 4.5 Installing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10
• 4.6 Installing security and package updates
  • 4.6.1 Local media update
  • 4.6.2 Network Update

5.0 Notices

Revision Level: 1.00

Updated: 30 Nov 2006

(C) Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 2006. 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 in 5.0 Notices in this document.Supported Server: IBM^(R) System x3950 Types 8878 and 8879Follow the instructions 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, Alt + a letter combination, or the mouse to make a selection.References to optional hardware in this document do not imply support of that hardware. For information about supported options, see the ServerProven^(R) information for your server at http://www-03.ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/.

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

• A registered copy of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10.
• 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 the server.
• One blank diskette to create a BIOS code update 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.

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

• SUSE Linux Web site: http://www.novell.com/linux/
• IBM U.S. Support Web site: http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/
• IBM device driver download site: http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/en/finders?pg=ddfinder.
• For countries outside the U.S., start at http://www.ibm.com/

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

To install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, complete the following steps:

1. Turn on the server.
2. When the message prompt, Press F1 for Configuration/Setup is displayed, press F1.
3. Select Devices and I/O Ports; then, select High Precision Event Timer (HPET).
4. Press the Right Arrow or Left Arrow key until Enabled is selected.
5. Press Esc once.
6. Select Advanced Setup; then, select CPU Options.
7. Highlight Clustering Technology, and then use the Right Arrow key or Left Arrow key to select one of the following options:
   • Physical Mode for 64-bit x86_64 version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 (single standalone chassis or any number of chassis scaled together)
   • Physical Mode for 32-bit x86 version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 (more than two chassis scaled together)
   • Logical Mode for 32-bit x86 version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 (single standalone chassis or exactly two chassis scaled together)
8. If the system contains dual-core microprocessors, you are installing the 32-bit x86 version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, and you are scaling together more than two chassis, select Hyperthreading and press the Right Arrow key or Left Arrow key until Disabled is displayed.
9. Press Esc twice to return to the main menu; then, select Save Settings.
10. Insert the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 CD 1 or DVD into the CD or DVD drive and boot the system.
11. In the boot screen, press F3. Scroll to and select 1024 x 768 and then press Enter.
12. Select Installation, and then press Enter to load the kernel.
13. Follow the YaST prompts to continue with the installation. Use the following installation information:
    • If any "Confirm driver activation" prompts are displayed, select OK in response to each prompt.
    • During package installation, if prompted, insert additional CDs.
    • If you are prompted to reboot, make sure that there is no bootable installation media accessible to the server, and then select OK.
    • 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 YaST will be used from this point.)

• If you are using an IBM ServeRAID controller, you need to update the ServeRAID device driver for the server to the latest available level. You can do this after the installation by following the instructions in the documentation that comes with the ServeRAID controller.
• Before installing any device drivers on the server, read Retain Tip H18618 at MIGR-53357
• For advanced installation topics, such as how to configure a network installation server, or how to configure an unattended installation, or how to configure a system for a XEN environment, see the documentation that comes with the operating system or see the SUSE Linux online documentation.

To install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, complete the steps in the following sections.

To prepare the hardware, complete the following steps:

1. Disconnect the server from the power source and remove the server cover.
2. If problems occur when you attempt to install with 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 starts without errors, install the adapters and devices you removed earlier 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.
4. If you are using internal hard disk drives, install them into the server drive bays.
5. Install the server cover.
6. Connect the server to the power source and then continue to 4.2 Updating the system firmware.

To update the system firmware, complete the following steps:

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. Continue with one of the following options:
   • If you need to update the BIOS code, continue to 4.2.1 Updating the BIOS code.
   • If you do not need to update the BIOS code, select Load Default Settings, and then select Save and exit.
4. If the server contains a Remote Supervisor Adapter II, continue to 4.2.4 Updating the Remote Supervisor Adapter II or Remote Supervisor Adapter II Slimline firmware. Otherwise, continue with one of the following options:
   • If you are using the Adaptec SAS controller, go to 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Adaptec SAS controller.
   • If you are using an IBM ServeRAID adapter as the boot device, go to 4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID adapter.

To update the BIOS code, complete the following steps:

1. Download the applicable image from the IBM Support Web site. The image is a self-extracting, executable file that creates the flash diskettes.
2. To create the diskettes, run the executable file and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. To update the BIOS code, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.
4. After you have updated the BIOS code, restart the server. When the IBM logo is displayed, press F1 to start the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
5. Select Load Default Settings. Then select Save and exit.
6. Continue to 4.2.2 Updating the diagnostic code.

To update the diagnostic code, complete the following steps:

1. Download the applicable image from the IBM Support Web site. The image is a self-extracting, executable file that creates the flash diskettes.
2. To create the diskettes, run the executable file and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. To update the diagnostics code, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.
4. Continue to 4.2.3 Updating the baseboard management controller firmware

To update the baseboard management controller firmware, complete the following steps:

1. Download the applicable image from the IBM Support Web site. The image is a self-extracting, executable file that creates the flash diskettes.
2. To create the diskettes, run the executable file and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. To update the baseboard management controller firmware, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.
4. If the server contains a Remote Supervisor Adapter II, continue to 4.2.4 Updating the Remote Supervisor Adapter II or Remote Supervisor Adapter II Slimline firmware. Otherwise, continue with one of the following options:
   • If you are using the Adaptec SAS controller, go to 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Adaptec SAS controller.
   • If you are using an IBM ServeRAID adapter as the boot device, go to 4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID adapter.

To update the Remote Supervisor Adapter II or Remote Supervisor Adapter II Slimline firmware, complete the following steps:

1. Download the applicable zip file from the IBM Support Web site.
2. Use an appropriate utility to unzip the file.
3. To update the Remote Supervisor Adapter II or Remote Supervisor Adapter II Slimline firmware, complete the steps in the corresponding readme file.
4. Continue with one of the following options:
   • If you are using the Adaptec SAS controller, go to 4.3 Configuring hard disk drives using the Adaptec SAS controller.
   • If you are using an IBM ServeRAID adapter as the boot device, go to 4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID adapter.

To configure the hard disk drives using the Adaptec SAS controller, complete the following steps:

1. Turn on the server and when prompted, press Ctrl+C.
2. Select Disk Utilities.
3. To format each hard disk drive individually, complete the following steps. Formatting might take up to 30 minutes, depending on the drive size.
   1. Select the hard disk drive.
   2. Select Format Disk.
   3. Select Yes twice.
4. When formatting is completed, make sure that at least one hard disk drive is bootable by completing the following steps:
   1. Select a hard disk drive.
   2. Select Set Bootable.
   3. Select Yes.
5. Exit the Disk Utilities screen.
6. Exit the Adaptec SAS Configuration Utility.
7. If you are using an IBM ServeRAID adapter, go to 4.4 Configuring arrays using an IBM ServeRAID adapter. Otherwise, go to 4.5 Installing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10.

To configure arrays, complete the following steps:

1. Insert the IBM ServeRAID Support CD into the CD or DVD drive, restart the server, and then press F10 to continue without changing the configuration.
2. If prompted, update the ServeRAID BIOS code and ServeRAID firmware and restart the server; then, repeat step 1, if necessary.
3. If the Configuration Wizard screen is displayed, select Cancel, and then select Yes.
4. In the ServeRAID Manager window, select LocalHost (Local system), and then select Controller 1.
5. If you are using a ServeRAID 7t or 8i controller, complete the following steps. For all other ServeRAID controllers, skip to step 6.
   1. From the Actions menu, select Delete all logical drives.
   2. In the Confirmation window, select Yes.
   3. In the "Physical devices" window, select each hard disk drive; then, from the Actions menu select Initialize.
   4. Select Yes to verify each drive initialization.
   5. Go to step 8.
6. From the Actions menu, select Restore to factory-default settings.
7. In the Confirmation window, select Yes.
8. From the Actions menu, select Create Logical Drive.
9. Select Custom configuration for controller 1, and then select Next. Note: If you are using a ServeRAID 7t or 8i controller, reverse the next two steps.
10. Select each hard disk drive to add to the array; then, select Next.
11. Specify the RAID level and select Next.
12. Select Apply.
13. In the Confirmation window, select Yes.
14. In the ServeRAID Manager window, select Reboot or Restart, remove the IBM ServeRAID Support CD, and then continue to 4.5 Installing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10.

To install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, complete the following steps:

1. Turn on the server.
2. When the message prompt, Press F1 for Configuration/Setup is displayed, press F1.
3. Select Devices and I/O Ports; then, select High Precision Event Timer (HPET).
4. Press the Right Arrow or Left Arrow key until Enabled is selected.
5. Press Esc once.
6. Select Advanced Setup; then, select CPU Options.
7. Highlight Clustering Technology, and then use the Right Arrow key or Left Arrow key to select one of the following options:
   • Physical Mode for 64-bit x86_64 version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 (single standalone chassis or any number of chassis scaled together)
   • Physical Mode for 32-bit x86 version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 (more than two chassis scaled together)
   • Logical Mode for 32-bit x86 version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 (single standalone chassis or exactly two chassis scaled together)
8. If the system contains dual-core microprocessors, you are installing the 32-bit x86 version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, and you are scaling together more than two chassis, select Hyperthreading and press the Right Arrow key or Left Arrow key until Disabled is displayed.
9. Press Esc twice to return to the main menu and select Save Settings.
10. Insert the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 CD 1 or DVD into the CD or DVD drive and boot the system.
11. In the boot screen, press F3. Scroll to and select 1024 x 768 and then press Enter.
12. Select Installation, and then press Enter to load the kernel.
13. In the Language screen, select English (US), and then select Next.
14. If the Media Check screen prompts, select Start Check. After a successful media check, select Next.
15. Read the License Agreement and select Yes, I Agree to the License Agreement, and then select Next.
16. If you are prompted, select New Installation, and then select Next.
17. In the "Clock and Time Zone" screen, select the applicable region and time zone. If necessary, change the time and date and select Change. When you are finished, select Next.
18. In the Installation Settings screen, settings are preselected for the server. Review the settings and use the following guidelines to make the necessary changes. When you are finished, select Accept. Keyboard Layout - If the language is set correctly, in most cases the correct keyboard setting is automatically selected. To modify the keyboard mapping, select Keyboard Layout. Select the keyboard layout from the list, and then type in the keyboard test box. If the characters that you typed are displayed correctly, select Accept.Partitioning - To change the partitioning scheme for the hard disk drive, select Partitioning. When the YaST proposed partitioning scheme is displayed, choose one of the following options:
    • To accept the proposed scheme, select Next.
    • To modify the proposed scheme:
      1. Select Base partition setup on this proposal, and then select Next.
      2. In the Expert Partitioner screen, you can view and change existing partitions on the hard disk drive. For detailed information about the available partitioning methods, see the documentation that comes with the operating system.
      3. When you are finished, select Finish.
    • To discard the proposed scheme:
      1. Select Create custom partition setup, and then select Next.
      2. In the Preparing Hard Disk - Step 1 screen, use one of the following procedures:
         • Select the hard disk drive where you want to install the operating system, and then select Next.
           • If there are pre-existing partitions that take up all of the space on the hard disk drive, choose one of the following options:
             • Select Use entire hard disk, and then select Next.
             • Select the partitions that can be deleted, and then select Next.
           • If the hard disk drive has been low-level formatted, or is new, select Next.
           • If there are pre-existing partitions on the hard disk drive that do not take up all of the space, the message There is free space on the disk. Should YaST use this for SuSE Linux? is displayed. If you select No, use one of the following procedures:
             • Select Use entire hard disk, and then select Next.
             • Select the partitions that can be deleted, and then select Next.
         • Select Custom partitioning -- for experts, and then select Next. In the Expert Partitioner screen, you can view and change existing partitions on the hard disk drive. For detailed information about the available partitioning methods, see the documentation that comes with the operating system. 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 at least 350 MB, with file system type ext2 (for the most stable performance) or Reiser (for the best uptime). A minimum of 2 GB is required for a default installation.
         When you are finished, select Finish.
    Notes:
    • Only four partitions can be primary. If you want to create more than four partitions, you need to create a logical partition for them.
    • There is a known problem with creating an independent boot partition '/boot' with the Reiser file system. The system will not start correctly.
    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 and Systems Task" screen, select the software configuration you want.For a specialized selection, select Details. If installing additional or all packages, ensure all dependencies are satisfied and only the appropriate kernel for your system is selected for installation. After you use the software package tool to select specific software packages, select Accept.Language - Use this option to specify secondary languages for the installation. To specify a language, select Language, make a selection, and then select Accept.
19. After selecting Accept, select Install in the Confirm Installation window.
20. During package installation, if prompted, insert additional CDs.
21. If you are prompted to reboot, make sure that there is no bootable installation media accessible to the server, and then select OK.
22. If you are installing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 remotely then when system reboots, in the boot screen, press F3, scroll to and select 1024x768, and press Enter.
23. In the "Hostname and Domain Name" screen, type a unique hostname and the applicable domain name, and then select Next.
24. In the "Password for the System Administrator 'root'" screen, type a new administrative password twice, and then select Next.
25. If any Confirm Hardware Detection prompts are displayed, select Continue. If you do not want to configure the detected hardware during installation, select Skip. If you do select Continue for a hardware type, see the documentation that comes with the operating system or see the SUSE Linux online documentation for details about specific hardware configuration steps.
26. Select Skip at any graphics configuration screens that are displayed throughout the rest of the installation.
27. You can use the Network Configuration screen to configure or change the networking hardware. (The hardware configuration can also be done later with the program YaST.) Select Next.
28. In the Test Internet Connection screen, select Yes, Test Connection to the Internet if the server is connected to the Internet. Select No, Skip This Test if the server is not connected to the Internet. If you do run this test:
    1. Select Next in the Running Internet Connection Test screen.
    2. If the Online Updates Available prompt is displayed, select Yes, Run Online Update Now and then select OK and complete the following steps:
       1. In the "Welcome to YaST Online Update" screen, select Next to choose the default settings.
       2. At the Authorization prompt, type your user name and password for the SUSE Linux Maintenance program and select Login.
       3. You enter the package manager, where most important patches are automatically selected for update. If everything is correct, select Accept to install the latest updates.
       4. After all updates are installed, select Finish.
29. In the Installation Settings screen, select Next to continue with the default settings, or change them as applicable and then select Next.
30. In the User Authentication Method screen, select the authentication method that you want from the list and then select Next.
    1. If youselect LDAP, the LDAP Client Configuration screen is displayed. Type the correct settings for the server and then select Next.
    2. If you select NIS, the "Configuration of NIS client" screen is displayed. Type the correct settings for the server and then select Next.
    3. If you select Windows Domain, the Windows Domain Membership screen is displayed. Type the correct settings for the server, and then select Next.
31. In the New Local User screen, type the information for one system user. You can also add additional users and groups or change the password settings. When you are finished, select Next.
32. In the Release Notes screen, read the current release notes, and then select Next.
33. In the Hardware Configuration screen, select Next to continue with the default settings or change them as appropriate, and then select Next.
34. In the Installation Completed screen, select Finish.

• If you are using an IBM ServeRAID controller, you need to update the ServeRAID device driver for the server to the latest available level. You can do this after the installation by following the instructions in the documentation that comes with the ServeRAID controller.
• Before installing any device drivers on the server, read RETAIN tip H18618.
• For advanced installation topics, such as how to configure a network installation server, or how to configure an unattended installation, or how to configure a system for a XEN environment see the documentation that comes with the operating system or see the SUSE Linux online documentation.

To install security and package updates, choose one of the following methods:

• For a local media update, go to 4.6.1 Local media update.
• For a network update, go to 4.6.2 Network Update.

After the installation, complete the following steps to upgrade the server to the latest service pack:

1. Insert CD 1 of the service pack into the CD or DVD drive.
2. Start YaST from the system menu or by typing yast in a terminal window or console.
3. Type the root password when prompted.
4. Select Patch CD Update.
5. Select Next to continue.
6. You enter the package manager, where most important patches are automatically selected for update. Make sure that the patches are selected correctly, and then select Accept to install the latest updates.
7. After all updates are installed, select Finish.

After the installation is complete and networking is set up, complete the following steps to install security and package updates. Run this update regularly or set up automatic updates to make sure that all software has the latest available security updates.

1. Start YaST from the system menu or by typing yast in a terminal window or console.
2. Type the root password when prompted.
3. Select Online Update.
4. Change any server settings needed for the environment, and then select Next to continue.
5. If the Authorization prompt is displayed, type your user name and password for the SUSE Linux Maintenance program and select Login.
6. You enter the package manager, where most important patches are automatically selected for update. Make sure that the patches are selected correctly, and then select Accept to install the latest updates.
7. After all updates are installed, select Finish.

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, System x, xSeries, e-business logo, ServerProven, and ServeRAID are trademarks of the International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both.Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.