OVERVIEW

The initial installation of a Digital UNIX system can be an exciting process. Whether the installation is on a brand-new system or a 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 Digital UNIX installation are disk and file system layouts, the method of installation, and which optional Digital UNIX software to install. In the first part of this chapter I will cover some of these issues that should be considered.

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 Digital 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; Digital UNIX supports installations from either console type. Next, your system needs a suitable boot disk. This requirement may seem obvious, but I mention it because Digital hardware makes it very easy to have multiple versions of Digital UNIX installed on a system. This capability can...