IBM xSeries 235 Server User Manual


 
Typical operating-system installation
You can use the ServerGuide program to shorten your installation time. The
ServerGuide program provides the device drivers that are required for your
hardware and for the operating system that you are installing. This section
describes a typical ServerGuide operating-system installation.
Note: Features and functions can vary slightly with different versions of the
ServerGuide program.
1. After you have completed the setup process, the operating-system installation
program starts. (You will need your operating-system CD to complete the
installation.)
2. The ServerGuide program stores information about the server model, service
processor, hard disk drive controllers, and network adapters. Then, the program
checks the CD for newer device drivers. This information is stored and then
passed to the operating-system installation program.
3. With some operating-system installations, you can create an operating-system
replication diskette for setting up additional servers. This diskette contains the
Internet protocol (IP) address, server name, and other selections.
4. The ServerGuide program presents operating-system partition options that are
based on your operating-system selection and the installed hard disk drives.
5. If you are installing the operating system from diskettes, the ServerGuide
program lists the diskettes that you must create and the optional device-driver
diskettes (for installed adapters or controllers) that you might want to create.
6. The ServerGuide program prompts you to insert your operating-system CD and
restart the server. At this point, the installation program for the operating system
takes control to complete the installation.
Setting up or updating multiple servers
You can use the ServerGuide program to create diskettes that help you set up or
update multiple servers. You can modify information on the diskettes as you use
them to set up or update other servers.
Note: Availability and function can vary by server model and by the hardware that
is installed.
You can create a setup-replication diskette, which contains your hardware
configuration selections. Use this diskette to replicate selections to other servers
that are of the same model.
You can create an operating-system replication diskette, which contains information
that you need to complete multiple installations. Not all operating systems support
operating-system replication diskettes.
Installing your operating system without ServerGuide
If you have already configured the server hardware and you decide not to use the
ServerGuide program to install your operating system, complete the following steps
to download the latest operating-system installation instructions from the IBM
Support Web page:
1. Go to http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/.
2. Under Browse, click Servers.
3. From the Family drop-down list, select your server model.
Chapter 2. Configuring your server 25