2.1 Introduction

The initial installation of a Tru64 UNIX system can be an exciting process. Whether you are installing it on a brand-new system or a doing complete reinstallation of an existing system, the opportunity exists to define many aspects of the final configuration. The key to achieving the desired results is thorough planning. Some of the configuration decisions to be made prior to starting a Tru64 UNIX installation are disk and file system layouts, the method of installation, and which optional Tru64 UNIX software subsets to install. The first part of this chapter will consider these issues.

Once you have decided how the system will be configured, it is necessary to ensure that the system is properly prepared for the installation. This means that all components of the system are at the proper firmware revision for the version of Tru64 UNIX you will be installing. In addition, depending on the method of installation selected, either a local CD-ROM drive must be installed or, if installing from a Remote Installation Server (RIS), the system must be connected to a network. Next, you must have console access to the system. This console can be a serial terminal or a graphics display; Tru64 UNIX supports installations from either console type. Next, your system needs a suitable boot disk. This requirement may seem obvious, but this is worth mentioning because Compaq hardware makes it very easy to have multiple versions of Tru64 UNIX installed on a system. This capability can allow you to...