Linux has come a long since in a short time! Back in the day installing Linux was like pulling teeth, but now installing linux (SuSE at least) is as easy as Windoze (easier than Vista!).
The SuSE installation is broken into two stages. The first stage does little more than create the partitions and install the basic software. The second software boots into the installation and configures all the specifics.
The Basics
If your new to Linux, SLED10 (SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10) installations are nothing to be scared of. In fact the installation is generally easier than Windows! As with Windows, there are two steps to the install, SuSE calls them stages.
- Stage 1
- Accepting the licenses...
- Select were you want to install Linux from.
- Select the disk where to install the Operating System (OS).
- Figuring out the partitioning (This is probably the hardest part for administrators new to Linux)
- Selecting which software packages you want to install.
- Reboot into your new OS
- Stage 2
- Configure everything you installed above.
The biggest differences are immediately evident in Stage 1.
- Installation Source. Unlike Windows, Linux can be installed from a variety of installation sources.
- DVD/CD installation (this is the most common)
- Network Installation. (where you use a small boot disk or CD with network drivers to read the installation program across a network)
- PXE boot Network Installation. PXE booting is a boot option available on most network cards and BIOS's today. Essentially it is where the computer boots using DHCP and reads a small OS into memory (like a boot floppy) which then kicks off a larger OS or installation program.
- Partitioning. Linux needs and uses what is called a Swap Partition. While there is a great deal of theory that can go into where and how big the swap partition should be, for our purposes, just take what the installation program defaults to.
Also like in windows, is it possible to use an “answer file”-like script to automate some parts of the installation.
When I create workstations for clients, I am normally creating workstations 10,20 or even 50 workstations at a time. So to streamline everything, I have setup DHCP servers, PXE Boot Servers, Local Repositories and AutoYaST scripts in place. This helps to ensure that every workstation I build is made to exact specifications which greatly helps troubleshooting and help desk support.
However for this example I will should the fully manual process.
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After you click the Accept button, you will be presented with a confirmation screen.
After you press the Install button, the Hard Disk will be partitioned. This means that deleted partitions and data will be gone forever!
You may also be asked to accept some software license agreements.
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After pressing the Install button above, the system will start partitioning the Hard Drive.
If you selected sled10 in the initial boot menu, the installation will default to a Linux Only installation, deleting all the partitions and using LVM to manage the partitions.
If you wish to have a Dual Boot system (keeping Windows) then you will need to resize the partitions manually before pressing the Install button above. (This is why you read the instructions before you begin!)
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After the installation program has created the disk partitions, it will begin to install the software packages that were selected above. If the AutoYaST scripts were used (i.e. sled10) then it will also include software from other repositories as well.
On the progress bar you can see a number of distinct sections. These sections relate to the different installation sources where the software packages reside.
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The Slide Show tab will show you a slide show, while the Details tab will show you the details of what is being installed. Imagine that! :)
The Slide show is nothing more than a product advertisement, however the details page might be interesting to those new to Linux so they can see what exactly is being installed on the system.
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Once the software package installation is complete, the server will reboot. Since there should be no installation media (CD, floppy, USB key) it will boot directly into the newly installed Operating System. This is the end of Stage 1 of the installation.
The very first time SuSE boots, it runs a modified version of YaST which guides the Administrator through the configuration of the newly installed Operating System. SuSE refers to this as Stage 2 of the installation.
Stage 2
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After rebooting, YaST will ask you for the root password. Unlike Windows, there can not be multiple users with root permissions. Root is god, all other users are mere mortals!
For our purposes, use the standard workstation administrator password you use in Windows.
DO NOT FORGET the root password!!
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Configure the workstation name and domain name.
For the sake of conformity we will be using the conventions:
Hostname = username-sled10
Domain Name = domain.name
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Linux is a Networked Operating System; therefore, a proper network configuration is of vital importance!
Unless you are setting up a machine with a wireless connection, disable the “Network Manager applet” by clicking on the highlighted hyperlink.
Disable the “Firewall” by clicking on the highlighted hyperlink.
Most of the remote sites have DHCP enabled, however if you are at a site that does not have DHCP enabled, then you will need to click on the “Network Interfaces” hyperlink and manually assign an IP address and all the associated information.
Some wireless card are not detected by YaST or don't have native Linux drivers these card need to be setup after the basic installation.
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Do not test the internet connect!
The system tests the internet connection by trying to download the most recent release notes from a server on the internet. Since we are behind a non-transparent proxy we would need to jump through a number of hoops to get this to work. So just say No.
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We will be setting up users later, so for now just select the Local option and press the Next button.
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Leave everything blank and press the Next button.
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We left the user information blank on purpose so select YES in the warning dialog box.
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We have answered all the questions needed for the configuration of the software. YaST will now run the SuSEconfig utility.
This is a background utility that helps insure that all the systems are configure properly and that any interdependencies are taken care of.
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You can read the Release Notes if your very bored. I have read them and there is nothing to worry about, so just press the Next button.
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Now we need to configure the Hardware.
Generally the only thing you will need to look at is the “Graphics Cards” section. Make sure that everything looks correct.
Once everything looks right, press the “Test the Configuration” hyperlink.
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YaST will run the SAX2 utility which is used to configure the X windows system (the GUI system)
One thing I have noticed is that very often, a Linux system will have the screen positioned too far to the left. Now is the time to reposition the screen using the buttons on the screen.
Press the Save button when everything is satisfactory.
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Now that everything is configured, press the Next button to reboot the system.
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Log in as root and configure/test the new system.
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Congratulations, you have just finished the basic installation of a SLED 10 workstation.
Standard additional tasks to be done after a successful installation
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CASA
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To enable CASA (the utility that stores user information and passwords) go to
YaST2 | Security and Users | CASA
or alternatively you can use the command
yast2 CASA
Press the Enable Button, it is just that simple!
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NTP
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To setup the NTP (Network Time Protocol) Client go to
YaST2 | Network Services | NTP Configuration
or alternatively you can use the command
yast2 ntp-client
Be sure to select “During Boot” radio button and use the address ntp.domain.name
Test the configuration before finishing.
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