Compaq DS20E Server User Manual


 
Linux Installation and Configuration Guide for AlphaServer 18
ECG513/0100
eid0.0.0.2007.0 EID0 00-50-8B-6F-38-85
ewa0.0.0.9.0 EWA0 08-00-2B-86-1F-64
ewb0.0.0.11.0 EWB0 08-00-2B-86-1F-63
ewc0.0.0.3002.0 EWC0 00-06-2B-00-0A-5C
pka0.7.0.3000.0 PKA0 SCSI Bus ID 7
pkb0.7.0.3001.0 PKB0 SCSI Bus ID 7
In the output above, the first line shows that DKA0 is a hard disk, DQA0 is a CD-ROM, and
DVA0 is a floppy drive.
Also useful for inspecting the computer configuration is the "show config" command, as
shown here:
>>>show config | more
3. Configure the system SRM parameters to boot from your installation device. A table
providing cross referenced device names is located in Appendix C, for your convenience.
Example commands for configuring to boot from the floppy device are shown here:
>>>set bootdef_dev dva0
>>>set boot_file vmlinux.gz
>>>set boot_osflags "root=/dev/fd0 load_ramdisk=1"
>>>show boot*
boot_dev dva0.0.0.0.0
boot_file vmlinux.gz
boot_osflags root=/dev/fd0 load_ramdisk=1
boot_reset OFF
bootdef_dev dva0.0.0.0.0
booted_dev
booted_file
booted_osflags
4. Insert the boot floppy into the drive.
5. Boot the system using the "boot" command. The result should be that the system boots from
the floppy. You will eventually be prompted to replace the BOOT floppy with the RAMDISK
floppy.
If during this process you encounter a problem, such as due to a typographic error in the setting of
the SRM parameters, you will probably be stopped with an "aboot>" prompt. The best way to
deal with this situation is to reset the system using the reset button on the front panel. Then using
the SRM commands, correct the mistake, and repeat the "boot" process.
Software Installation
SuSE’s installation program is flexible. While it allows for autodetection of devices and autoload
of device drivers, it allows you to override the automatically configured parameters. Compaq’s
testing this Solutions Guide was performed using SuSE Version 6.1.
The software installation process requires that the system be rebooted at two critical places in the
process. The first time is just after completing the partitioning of the disk, and the second happens
automatically after all of the software components are installed on the disk. Be certain not to skip
the reboot after the disk partition process is completed.
Disk Partitioning
In preparation to partition your disk, you should boot your AlphaServer via the BOOT floppy and
following the process for selecting a language, display color, keyboard type, and installation
media. At this stage, you should select the "Install From Scratch" menu option, and proceed to the