Solaris Express Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations
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SPARC: Creating a SPARC Install Server With CD Media

The install server contains the installation image needed to install systems from the network. You must create an install server to install the Solaris software on a system from the network. You do not always need to set up a separate boot server.

  • If you are using DHCP to set installation parameters or your install server and client are on the same subnet, you do not need a separate boot server.

  • If your install server and your client are not on the same subnet and you are not using DHCP, you must create separate boot servers for each subnet. You could create an install server for each subnet; however, install servers require more disk space.

SPARC: To Create a SPARC Install Server With SPARC or x86 CD Media

Use this procedure to create a SPARC install server with SPARC or x86 CD media.


Note - This procedure assumes that the system is running the Volume Manager. If you are not using the Volume Manager to manage media, refer to System Administration Guide: Devices and File Systems.


  1. On the system that is to become the install server, become superuser or assume an equivalent role.

    The system must include a CD-ROM drive and be part of the site's network and naming service. If you use a naming service, the system must already be in a naming service, such as NIS, NIS+, DNS, or LDAP. If you do not use a naming service, you must distribute information about this system by following your site's policies.

  2. Insert the Solaris Software - 1 CD in the system's drive.
  3. Create a directory for the CD image.
    # mkdir -p install_dir_path
    install_dir_path

    Specifies the directory where the CD image is to be copied

  4. Change to the Tools directory on the mounted disc.
    • If you are creating an installation image from the Solaris Software for SPARC Platforms - 1 CD, type the following command.
      # cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s0/Solaris_11/Tools
    • If you are creating an installation image from the Solaris Software for x86 Platforms - 1 CD, type the following command.
      # cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Solaris_11/Tools
  5. Copy the image in the drive to the install server's hard disk.
    # ./setup_install_server install_dir_path
    install_dir_path

    Specifies the directory where the CD image is to be copied


    Note - The setup_install_server command indicates whether you have enough disk space available for the Solaris Software disc images. To determine available disk space, use the df -kl command.


  6. Decide if you need to make the install server available for mounting.
    • If the install server is on the same subnet as the system to be installed or you are using DHCP, you do not need to create a boot server. Proceed to Step 7.
    • If the install server is not on the same subnet as the system to be installed and you are not using DHCP, complete the following steps.
      1. Verify that the path to the install server's image is shared appropriately.

        Use either the share command or the sharemgr utility to complete the verification.

        # share | grep install_dir_path
        # # sharemgr show -v | grep install_dir_path

        Note - Starting with the 5/07 Developer release, the sharemgr utility introduces the concept of share groups. See sharemgr Command in System Administration Guide: Network Services.


        install_dir_path

        Specifies the path to the installation image where the CD image was copied

        • If the path to the install server's directory is displayed and anon=0 is displayed in the options, proceed to Step 7.
        • If the path to the install server's directory is not displayed or you do not have anon=0 in the options, continue.
      2. Make the install server available to the boot server by using either the share command or the sharemgr utility.
        • Using the share command, add this entry to the /etc/dfs/dfstab file.

          share -F nfs -o ro,anon=0 -d "install server directory" install_dir_path
        • Using the sharemgr utility, enter the following commands:

          # sharemgr add-share -d “install server directory” -s install_dir_path default

          # sharemgr set -P nfs -S sys -p ro="*" -s install_dir_path default

          # sharemgr set -P nfs -p anon=0 -s install_dir_path default

      3. Verify that the nfsd daemon is running.
        • If the install server is running the current Solaris release, or compatible version, type the following command.
          # svcs -l svc:/network/nfs/server:default

          If the nfsd daemon is online, continue to Step d. If the nfsd daemon is not online, start it.

          # svcadm enable svc:/network/nfs/server
        • If the install server is running the Solaris 9 OS, or compatible version, type the following command.
          # ps -ef | grep nfsd

          If the nfsd daemon is running, continue to Step d. If the nfsd daemon is not running, start it.

          # /etc/init.d/nfs.server start
      4. If you are using the share command instead of the sharemgr utility, share the install server.
        # shareall
  7. Change directories to root (/).
    # cd /
  8. Eject the Solaris Software - 1 CD.
  9. Insert the Solaris Software - 2 CD in the system's CD-ROM drive.
  10. Change to the Tools directory on the mounted CD.
    1. If you are creating an installation image from the Solaris Software for SPARC Platforms - 1 CD, type the following command.
      # cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s0/Solaris_11/Tools
    2. If you are creating an installation image from the Solaris Software for x86 Platforms - 1 CD, type the following command.
      # cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Solaris_11/Tools
  11. Copy the CD in the CD-ROM drive to the install server's hard disk.
    # ./add_to_install_server install_dir_path
    install_dir_path

    Specifies the directory where the CD image is to be copied

  12. Change directories to root (/).
    # cd /
  13. Eject the Solaris Software - 2 CD.
  14. Repeat Step 9 through Step 13 for each Solaris Software CD that you want to install.
  15. Insert the first Solaris Languages CD in the system's CD-ROM drive.
  16. Change to the Tools directory on the mounted CD.
    • For SPARC CD media, type:

      # cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s0/Solaris_11/Tools
    • For x86 CD media, type:

      # cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Solaris_11/Tools
  17. Copy the CD in the CD-ROM drive to the install server's hard disk.
    # ./add_to_install_server install_dir_path
    install_dir_path

    Specifies the directory where the CD image is to be copied

  18. Eject CD.
  19. Repeat Steps 15–18 for the second Solaris Languages CD.
  20. Change directories to root (/).
    # cd /
  21. (Optional) Patch the files that are located in the miniroot on the net install image that was created by setup_install_server. Patching a file might be necessary if a boot image has problems.
    • For SPARC based installation images, use the patchadd -C command to patch the files that are located in the miniroot.
      # patchadd -C install_dir_path path-to-patch/patch-id
      install_dir_path

      Specifies the path to the network installation miniroot.

      path-to-patch

      Specifies the path to the patch that you want to add, for example, /var/sadm/spool.

      patch-id

      Specifies the patch ID that you want to apply.


      Caution - Don't use the patchadd -C command unless you have read the Patch README instructions or have contacted your local Sun support office.


    • For x86 based installation images, follow these steps to patch an x86 network installation miniroot.

      Note - These steps assume that you have a system on your network that is running the current Solaris release for x86 systems, and that system is accessible over the network.


      1. On a system that is running the current Solaris release for x86 systems, log in as superuser or assume an equivalent role.
      2. Change to the Tools directory of the installation image you created in Step 4.
        # cd install-server-path/install-dir-path/Solaris_11/Tools
        install-server-path

        Specifies the path to the install server system on your network, for example, /net/installserver-1.

      3. Create a new installation image, and place that image on the system that is running the current Solaris release for x86 systems.
        # ./setup_install_server remote_install_dir_path
        remote_install_dir_path

        Specifies the path on the current Solaris release for x86 systems in which to create the new installation image.

        This command creates a new installation image on the current Solaris release for x86 systems. In order to patch this image, you must temporarily place this image on a system that is running the current Solaris release for x86 systems.

      4. On the current Solaris release for x86 systems, unpack the network installation boot archive.
        # /boot/solaris/bin/root_archive unpackmedia remote_install_dir_path \ destination_dir
        remote_install_dir_path

        Specifies the path to the x86 network installation image on the current Solaris release for x86 systems.

        destination_dir

        Specifies the path to the directory to contain the unpacked boot archive.

      5. On the current Solaris release for x86 systems, patch the unpacked boot archive.
        # patchadd -C destination_dir path-to-patch/patch-id
        path-to-patch

        Specifies the path to the patch that you want to add, for example, /var/sadm/spool.

        patch-id

        Specifies the patch ID that you want to apply.

        You can specify multiple patches with the patchadd -M option. For more information, see patchadd(1M).


        Caution - Don't use the patchadd -C command unless you have read the Patch README instructions or have contacted your local Sun support office.


      6. On the current Solaris release for x86 systems, pack the x86 boot archive.
        # /boot/solaris/bin/root_archive packmedia destination_dir \ remote_install_dir_path
      7. Copy the patched miniroot to the installation image on the install server.
        # cp remote_install_dir_path/boot/x86.miniroot \ install-server-path/install_dir_path/boot/x86.miniroot
  22. Decide if you need to create a boot server.
Example 6-1 SPARC: Creating a SPARC Install Server With SPARC CD Media

The following example illustrates how to create an install server by copying the following CDs to the install server's /export/home/cdsparc directory. This example assumes that the install server is running the current Solaris release.

  • Solaris Software for SPARC Platforms CDs

  • Solaris Languages for SPARC Platforms CDs

Insert the Solaris Software for SPARC Platforms - 1 CD in the system's CD-ROM drive.

# mkdir -p /export/home/cdsparc
# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s0/Solaris_11/Tools
# ./setup_install_server /export/home/cdsparc
  • If you have a separate boot server, add these steps.

    1. Make the install server available to the boot server by using either the share command or the sharemgr utility.

      • Using the share command, add this entry to the /etc/dfs/dfstab file.

        share -F nfs -o ro,anon=0 -d "install server directory" /export/home/cdsparc
      • Using the sharemgr utility, enter the following commands:

        # sharemgr add-share -d “install server directory” -s /export/home/cdsparc default

        # sharemgr set -P nfs -S sys -p ro="*" -s /export/home/cdsparc default

        # sharemgr set -P nfs -p anon=0 -s /export/home/cdsparc default

    2. Check if the nfsd daemon is online. If the nfsd daemon is not online, start it and share it.

      If you are using sharemgr utility, omit shareall.

      # svcs -l svc:/network/nfs/server:default
      # svcadm enable svc:/network/nfs/server
      # shareall 
    3. Continue with the following steps.

  • If you do not need a boot server or have completed the steps for a separate boot server, continue.

# cd /

Eject the Solaris Software for SPARC Platforms - 1 CD. Insert the Solaris Software for SPARC Platforms - 2 CD in the CD-ROM drive.

# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s0/Solaris_11/Tools
# ./add_to_install_server /export/home/cdsparc
# cd /

Repeat the previous commands for each Solaris Software CD that you want to install.

Insert the first Solaris Languages for SPARC Platforms CD in the CD-ROM drive.

# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/s0/Solaris_11/Tools
# ./add_to_install_server /export/home/cdsparc

Eject CD.

Repeat the previous commands for each Solaris Languages for SPARC Platforms CD.

Example 6-2 Creating a SPARC Install Server With x86 CD Media

Use the following example to create an x86 network installation image on a SPARC based install server. The following example illustrates how to create a cross platform install server by copying the Solaris Software for x86 Platforms CDs to the install server's /export/home/cdx86 directory. This example assumes that the install server is running the current Solaris release .

  • Solaris Software for x86 Platforms CDs

  • Solaris Languages for x86 Platforms CDs

Insert the Solaris Software for x86 Platforms - 1 CD in the system's CD-ROM drive.

# mkdir -p /export/home/cdsparc
# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Solaris_11/Tools
# ./setup_install_server /export/home/cdsparc
  • If you have a separate boot server, add these steps.

    1. Make the install server available to the boot server by using either the share command or the sharemgr utility.

      • Using the share command, add this entry to the /etc/dfs/dfstab file.

        share -F nfs -o ro,anon=0 -d "install server directory" /export/home/cdsparc
      • Using the sharemgr utility, enter the following commands:

        # sharemgr add-share -d “install server directory” -s /export/home/cdsparc default

        # sharemgr set -P nfs -S sys -p ro="*" -s /export/home/cdsparc default

        # sharemgr set -P nfs -p anon=0 -s /export/home/cdsparc default

    2. Check if the nfsd daemon is online. If the nfsd daemon is not online, start it and share it.

      If you are using sharemgr utility, omit shareall.

      # svcs -l svc:/network/nfs/server:default
      # svcadm enable svc:/network/nfs/server
      # shareall 
    3. Continue with the following steps.

  • If you do not need a boot server or have completed the steps for a separate boot server, continue.

# cd /

Eject the Solaris Software for x86 Platforms - 1 CD. Insert the Solaris Software for x86 Platforms - 2 CD in the CD-ROM drive.

# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Solaris_11/Tools
# ./add_to_install_server /export/home/cdsparc
# cd /

Repeat the previous commands for each Solaris Software for x86 Platforms CD that you want to install.

Insert the first Solaris Languages for x86 Platforms CD in the CD-ROM drive.

# cd /cdrom/cdrom0/Tools
# ./add_to_install_server /export/home/cdsparc

Eject CD.

Repeat the previous commands for each Solaris Languages for x86 Platforms CD.

More Information
Continuing the Installation

After you set up the install server, you must add the client as an installation client. For information about how to add client systems to install over the network, see Adding Systems to Be Installed From the Network With a CD Image.

If you are not using DHCP, and your client system is on a different subnet than your install server, you must create a boot server. For more information, see Creating a Boot Server on a Subnet With a CD Image.

See Also

For additional information about the setup_install_server and the add_to_install_server commands, see install_scripts(1M).

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