Why You Should Not Ignore This Chapter

Successfully installing Solaris software requires a clear sense of what you're doing and why, or it can become difficult. This chapter provides all the information you need to determine the best way to install the Solaris software for your site. This chapter also directs you to specific chapters of this book you'll need.

Steps to Prepare to Install Solaris

Follow these steps before turning on your system.

1 Make sure that the system's peripheral devices are properly configured.

Before installing Solaris software, you must configure peripheral devices so they do not conflict with each other, and so that Solaris software can access them. Configuring peripheral devices involves setting jumpers or running a software program under MS-DOS^(R). See the x86 Device Configuration Guide for detailed instructions.

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Caution - If peripheral devices are not correctly configured before installing Solaris software, or if you are using unsupported devices, the Solaris installation program will fail.

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2 Determine if your system is networked.

If your system is networked (connected to a network), an Ethernet connector or similar network adapter should be plugged into your system.

3 Determine your system type.

Before installing Solaris software, you must determine the system type which determines where the system gets important file systems. Using Figure 2-1 on page 8, choose a system type from the following lists:

Networked systems:

• Server
• Standalone system
• Dataless client
• Diskless client

Non-networked systems:

• Standalone system

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Note - If you choose a diskless client as the system type, you do not need go any further in this chapter. Go to "How to Set Up Servers for Network Installation of a Diskless Client" on page 39.

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Figure 2-1

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Note - A standalone system in the Solaris operating environment applies to both networked and non-networked systems. Whether networked or non-networked, a standalone system has all of its Solaris software on local hard disk, and does not require services from another system.

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4 Determine if you have required hardware.

For a detailed description of hardware requirements, see the x86 Device Configuration Guide.

Table 2-1

Hardware Platform	Processor	Minimum Memory	Disk Interfaces	Buses	Device for Installing Solaris
An x86 system of the following type: · 386 · 486DX, 486DX2, or 486SX	For 386 systems: · 387D at 33 MHz ISA/EISA bus	16 Mbytes (including 640K base memory)	Integrated SCSI or IDE hard disk	· ISA · EISA · MCA	You must have a diskette drive, and one of the following devices for installing Solaris software: · Local CD-ROM drive
	For 486D, 486X2, or 486SX systems: · 25,33,50, or 66 MHz ISA/EISA				· Remote CD-ROM drive available over the network · Remote hard disk available over the network

5 If you have a standalone system, determine if you have enough disk space to install Solaris software.

The software on the Solaris CD is bundled into four software groups (see Table 2-2). You must choose one of these software groups when you install Solaris software. Use Table 2-2 to determine approximately how much disk space you'll need. Keep in mind:

• The disk space shown does not account for file system overhead or local file systems required for electronic mail, printer spooling, users' personal file systems, or swap space.

You can remove software packages from these groups to reduce the disk space required.

Table 2-2

If You Want to Install This Software Group	Which Installs	Then You'll Need Approximately This Much Disk Space
Core System Support	The minimum software required to boot and run Solaris software.	70 Mbytes
End User System Support	The core group plus the recommended software for an end user including OpenWindows and the DeskSet software.	160 Mbytes
Developer System Support	The end user software plus software for developing software including libraries, include files, man pages, and programming tools. Compilers and debuggers are not included.	240 Mbytes
Entire Distribution	The entire Solaris release (everything on the CD). Compilers and debuggers are not included.	300 Mbytes

6 Back up your system.

If your system has any files on it that you want to save, make sure you perform a backup. The safest way to back up files is to do a level 0 dump. If you do not have a backup procedure in place, see File System Administration for instructions.

7 Choose a method for installing Solaris software.

There are two methods for installing Solaris software. One or both methods may be available to you.

(1)

Interactive - easy, hands-on method of installing Solaris software. The Solaris installation program guides you step-by-step through identifying your system and installing Solaris software. You're in control all the way!

(2)Custom JumpStart (formerly called auto-install) - for the advanced user with experience in Bourne shell scripting and the vi editor. By creating profiles and rules files, you can set up systems to automatically install Solaris software in different ways on different systems. This method requires up-front work before systems are turned on, but it's the most cost-effective way to install Solaris software for large, enterprise sites. You can even set up a hands-off installation where the user just boots the system and nothing more needs to be done!

(1)

Interactive

(2) Custom

JumpStart

8 Choose a task map and complete required tasks.

Choose the task map from the following pages that matches the method you've chosen for installing Solaris software: interactive or custom JumpStart.The task maps guide you through all the tasks you need to complete before turning on, booting, and installing Solaris software on a system.The box marked END points you to the chapter for step-by-step instructions for booting your system and installing Solaris software.

Figure 2-2

Figure 2-3