Auto Install for Mandrake Linux | ||
---|---|---|
Prev | Next |
Installation of the Mandrake Linux distribution on a computer(s) depends on a number of things:
* Environment; is the computer connected to a network, are you trying to use the computer for more than one Operating System (Multi-Boot),
* Equipment; does the computer contain conventional hardware, or are there special considerations such as USB or PCMCIA devices
* Preferences; what works best for you or your situation,
MandrakeSoft has gone to great lengths to simplify the installation process of their distribution on a large variety of computers, yet provide you a choice of approaches.
The Mandrake Linux distribution provides support for three primary installation methods (sources):
via CD-ROM |
via Hard Disk with Linux, Windows or ReiserFS filesystems |
via Network based Services such as NFS, FTP or HTTP |
In addition, there are a few variations that provide support for specific equipment:
via PCMCIA devices |
via USB network and CD-ROM/RW devices |
via Other (Non-standard hardware) |
And finally, if none of the above work with your hardware, there are a series of Alternatives which utilize different kernel versions for each of the above.
If you have time, read the file on the first Installation CD called INSTALL.txt and the one in the images directory called README for a bit more detail.
CD-ROM based installation is portable. With a floppy diskette and the CD-ROM set, you can install the distribution, anywhere, on any computer that has a CD-ROM drive and a floppy disk drive.
Hard Disk based installation is more for those of you which have multiple disk drives installed in the target computer, one to hold the distribution file set and a second which will contain the installed system. This would most likely be used in situations where the computer dual boots Linux and other OS's. It is not very portable, but it does afford one the ability to install Linux without disturbing the existing OS.
Network based installation is where the flexibility of the Automated Installation process really shines. One computer holds the distribution file set, all the other computers only require network based access to the file set. Now I can just carry a single disk about, insert it in the desired computer, push reset and go for coffee.
With the three options, NFS, FTP and HTTP, you can actually install files from one computer to another, anywhere in the world. However, there are performance and reliability issues which you will have to be prepared to deal with when accessing servers outside your own local world.
There are three installation modes which may be employed for each of the methods:
Manual |
- |
this mode is where you select every thing interactively. Most people use this method when they are installing the distribution on their personal workstation computer. |
Fully Automated |
- |
this mode is where all selections are predetermined, the installation process is controlled, without manual intervention, by the contents of a simple configuration file and, progress is indicated by simple text messages. It is ideally suited for installations on identical computers. Although creative individuals using the 'postInstall' features can overcome most obstacles. |
Replay |
- |
this mode is very similar to the fully automated mode, except that progress is indicated via a graphical presentation and, the configuration file provides you with the ability to manually intervene during certain steps. You will love this one for situations where the computers are virtually identical, but you would normally have created a custom install disk to deal with certain hardware peculiarities or, you have a need to perform customization with each installation. |
As I indicated earlier, you are going to have to make some choices that fit your situation and environment. The beauty of all these Choices is that you are not stuck doing it one way....
The simplest approach is to perform a Manual Install, then generate the desired Auto Install diskette. However, before you get started, please check the Errata page on the Mandrake web site (www.linux-mandrake.com) since there may be information there that applies to your equipment. The following are a brief set of steps to get you started.
1. decide if you are going to perform a CD-ROM, Hard Disk or Network based install. If you are going to do a CD-ROM install, then skip the next step.
2. copy the contents of all three CD-ROMs, or obtain the file set via ftp and:
a) For a Hard Disk, make sure that the Mandrake Linux file set is present on one of the computers hard disks (partitions). Remember to retain the CD's directory hierarchy.
b) For network services, make sure the Mandrake Linux file set is accessible on the server you want to use. (see section Setting up a Simple NFS Server). Remember to retain the CD's directory hierarchy.
3. Create a boot floppy disk using the appropriate image file:
images/cdrom.img for CD-ROM based install (only if your computer can not boot from CD-ROM). |
images/hd.img for Hard Disk based install |
images/network.img for Network Services based install |
See the images/README document for instructions on how to create the diskette. Also you will find additional / alternate images to use which may resolve situations for your particular equipment setup.
4. Boot the computer and perform the installation manually.
5. JUST before re-booting, select 'Advanced', then select 'Generate an auto install floppy', then pick either 'Replay' or 'Automated'. This will create the needed diskette containing all the basic files you will need for the next installation.
6. Review the contents of the diskette and adjust as necessary before using. See the remainder of this document.
7. Install any where, any time and as often as you like, or until the coffee runs out.
There are a number of different and innovative approaches that you could use rather than the simplistic one above, but then that your job, eh? However, for those of you who are a bit braver or, just want to do it your self then you should see the section Scratch Built Auto Install Diskette for a basic approach.
For those of you who were so excited about installing and test driving the new Mandrake Linux release that you forgot to 'Generate an auto install floppy', no problem. Mandrake Linux has a tool available, as part of the drakconf program (Mandrake Control Center), that will allow you to generate an Auto Install disk at any time after the initial installation, see the section Replay Install for details.
After completing the 'Generate an auto install floppy' step, you should have a diskette containing the following files:
advanced.msg
This file contains some text that describes a number of advanced options. You could customize this.
auto_inst.cfg
This file contains your selections. See the section Anatomy of the 'auto_inst.cfg' File for details. In case you were wondering, you will also find this file in the /root/drakx directory with the name auto_inst.cfg.pl.
boot.msg
This file contains a graphic image that appears as soon as you boot from the diskette. You could customize this.
help.msg
This file contains some text regarding the start up options and keys, which you can customize too. It is optional and may not be present on your generated diskette (space limitations).
ldlinux.sys
This is what booted (boot loader). Don't mess with it.
cdrom.rdz or hd.rdz or network.rdz
The file name is dependent on the Method you used to perform the manual install. It contains stage 1 of DrakX and other things which are needed for the automated install.
syslinux.cfg
This file contains information that controls the operation of the 'ldlinux' boot loader. You may have to modify this. See the section Anatomy of the 'syslinux.cfg' File for details.
vmlinuz
This is the compressed Linux kernel image file. Don't mess with this one either.
The contents of the two files, syslinux.cfg and auto_inst.cfg, are what the bulk of this document is about, so with out further a due....
Prev | Home | Next |
Introduction | Anatomy of the 'syslinux.cfg' File |