Installing Solaris Over The Network Featured Article on SunHelpDesk
Author: John Richardson
Date: Oct 19, 2000Typically, most Solaris installations use the system's internal cdrom. However, there are times when you will need to install over the network. For instance, you do not have an external cdrom, and need to install Solaris on a Netra T1 that is not equipped with an internal cdrom.
Alternatively, you may want to setup a Jumpstart server in which you can limit the interaction needed to complete the installation. Jumpstart servers are relatively complex to setup, and are typically used in a large environment where multiple systems need to be installed identically.
This document details the steps needed for a simple network installation of Solaris on the same subnet. The examples use Solaris 8 as a reference. Refer to the "Advanced Installation Guide" that accompanies your installation media for more details.
Assumptions:
- Using /etc files and not a name service such as NIS or NIS+.
- All associated servers are on the same subnet(no router between servers).
Create Install Server
An Install Server must be created by copying the Solaris 8 CD images to its hard drive.
Insert the CD labeled Solaris 8 software 1 of 2 into the CDRom drive
Volume manager automatically mounts the cdrom. Otherwise mount manually.
Make a directory where the Solaris images will be stored. Be sure that there is enough space to allocate to the CD images
# mkdir /var/Solaris8
Change directories to the Tools directory
# cd /cdrom/sol_8_sparc/s0/Solaris_8/Tools
Copy the image from the CD to the install directory
# ./setup_install_server /var/Solaris8
Eject the CD. Insert CD labeled Solaris 8 Software 2 of 2 into the cdrom drive
Volume manager automatically mounts the cdrom
Change directories to the Tools directory
# CD /cdrom/sol_8_sparc_2/Solaris_8/Tools
Copy the image from the CD to the install directory.
# ./add_to_install_server /var/Solaris8
Configure System to be Installed over Network
Be sure to collect the following information on the new system:
- Host name
- IP address
- Ethernet address
- Platform Group
Create entry in /etc/ethers. If /etc/ethers does not exist, then create it with the following entry. You must remove the leading zeros in the ethernet address
8:0:20:c2:36:68 sun-001
Update /etc/hosts file with the ip address for the new server
10.10.1.114 sun-001
Verify that /etc/nsswitch.conf is using the /etc/bootparams file
bootparams: files
Change directory to the Tools directory on the Install Server
# CD /var/Solaris8/Solaris_8/Tools
Add the new server using the add_install_client utility. Note that sun-001 is the server name and sun4u is the appropriate platform group for the Netra T1.
# ./add_install_client sun-001 sun4u
Output:
saving original /etc/dfs/dfstab in /etc/dfs/dfstab.orig
Adding "share -F nfs -o ro,anon=0 /var/Solaris8" to /etc/dfs/dfstab
making /tftpboot
enabling tftp in /etc/inetd.conf
starting rarpd starting bootparamd
starting nfsd's starting nfs mountd
updating /etc/bootparams
copying inetboot to /tftpbootInstall Solaris 8 on New System
At the system OK prompt:
boot net
Platform Groups
System Platform Group Intel Architecture i86pc SPARCserver 1000 sun4d SPARCcenter 2000 sun4d SPARCstation 5 sun4m SPARCstation 10 sun4m SPARCstation 10SX sun4m SPARCstation20 sun4m SPARCstation LX sun4m SPARCstation LX+ sun4m
SPARCclassic sun4m SPARCclassic X sun4m SPARCstation 4 sun4m Ultra 1 systems sun4u Sun Enterprise 1 system sun4u Ultra 30 sun4u Ultra 2 sun4u Enterprise 2 sun4u Enterprise 150 sun4u Ultra 450 sun4u Enterprise 450 sun4u Enterprise 3000, 3500, 4500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 10000 sun4u Ultra 5 sun4u Ultra 10 sun4u Ultra 60 sun4u Ultra 80 sun4u Netra T1 sun4u