InformIT: Red Hat Linux 7 Unleashed > Step-by-Step Installation

Step-by-Step Installation

This section takes a step-by-step look at the CD-ROM installation process. It will guide you through the install step by step and help you along the way. It will also inform you on the preferred options to select and why you should select them.

Starting the Installation

The best way to start your installation is to check and see if your BIOS supports booting from the CD drive. Most computers built after mid-1997 have this option. On boot you will see a line of text telling you to press either the F1 or the Delete key to enter the BIOS settings and change the boot order so that the computer can boot from the CD drive. Save these settings and reboot the machine. The computer will then boot from the CD drive. When the install is finished, change your settings back to the way they were. If your computer doesn't support this, create and boot off a boot disk.

Load the Red Hat Linux installation program by placing the first CD-ROM or the boot disk into your drive and restarting your computer. When your computer comes back up you will be greeted by the Welcome to Red Hat Linux 7.0! screen. Keep in mind that for the suggested and normal install (graphical mode) you will just have to press Enter at the boot: prompt to continue. You are also presented with a screen full of options, some which we will touch on briefly before proceeding to the standard install path starting in the section titled The Installation Program later in this chapter.

You can pass a number of parameters to the Linux kernel at startup. These do not include parameters for devices such as CD-ROM drives or Ethernet cards.

Certain hardware configurations sometimes have trouble with the automatic hardware detection during the installation. Although this is unusual, it does happen. If you experience problems during the installation, restart the installation using the Expert mode. To view problems during the install you can check what errors are being reported on the other virtual consoles.

Using Text Mode for Installation

You can still install Red Hat using the text mode install process by typing text at the boot: prompt. This will bring you down basically the same path as the default graphical installation. However, you will have to use the Tab, spacebar, arrow, and Enter keys to navigate the interface. Also, it is prone to unpredictable results if stray keys are pressed during the installation. It is recommended that you select the graphical install by just pressing Enter at the boot: prompt.

Using Expert Mode for Installation

The default method of installing Red Hat Linux uses autoprobing to automatically detect the hardware in your system. Although most systems can be autoprobed without difficulties, there can be problems in certain cases. You can overcome these problems by using Expert mode. Expert mode is only advisable if you know your system completely and are comfortable with Linux.

To start the installation using Expert mode, type expert and press Enter at the boot: prompt.

While in Expert mode, you have complete control over the installation process. You can also enter optional module parameters while in Expert mode.

Using Rescue Mode for Installation

The Red Hat installation program has undergone changes that enable you to create a custom startup disk for your specific system. This new startup disk is customized according to your system's hardware configuration. This will ensure that you will always be able to start your system, even if LILO has been overwritten by another operating system.

You may also create a startup disk after the installation process completes. To do this, consult the mkbootdisk man page. Note that the mkbootdisk package must be installed to create a startup disk after the installation.

Your startup disk is the first disk in a two-part rescue disk set. The second disk required for Rescue mode must be created from the rescue.img image file, which is located in the Red Hat Linux CD-ROM's images directory (on the first disk). To create the second disk, insert a blank floppy in your system's floppy drive, and type the following:


   dd if=rescue.img of=/dev/fd0 bs=72k

You can then start in Rescue mode by booting from your startup disk and typing rescue at the boot: prompt. Insert the disk created from rescue.img when you're prompted to do so.

Using Kernel Parameter Options

Some kernel parameters can be specified on the command line and thus passed to the running kernel. This does not include options to modules such as Ethernet cards or devices such as CD-ROM drives.

Use the following format to pass an option to the kernel:


   linux options

If you want a different installation mode, enter it after the option(s). For example, to install on a system with 128MB of RAM, using Expert mode, type the following:


   linux mem=128M expert

To pass options to modules, you need to use the Expert mode to disable PCI autoprobing. When the installation asks for the device type to which you need to pass an option or parameter, it gives you a place to type those at that time.

Watch the startup information to ensure that the kernel detects your hardware. If it doesn't properly detect your hardware, you might need to restart and add some options at the boot: prompt. The following is an example:

boot: linux hdX=cdrom

where X is a, b, c, or d depending on what IDE channel the CD drive is on. The meaning of a, b, c, or d is explained earlier in this chapter. If you need to enter any extra parameters here, write them down—you will need them later in the installation.

Using Virtual Consoles During Installation

Red Hat's installation goes beyond a simple sequence of dialog boxes. In fact, you can look at different diagnostic messages during the installation process. You can actually switch among five virtual consoles, which can be helpful if you encounter problems during installation. Table 2.7 shows the five consoles, the key sequence to switch to each console, and the purpose of that particular console.

Table 2.7. Virtual Console Information

Console	Keystroke	Purpose
1	Ctrl+Alt+F1	Installation dialog box
2	Ctrl+Alt+F2	Shell prompt
3	Ctrl+Alt+F3	Install log (messages from the install program)
4	Ctrl+Alt+F4	System log (messages from the kernel and other system programs)
5	Ctrl+Alt+F5	Other messages
7	Ctrl+Alt+F7	X Graphical Display

Most of the installation time will be spent in console 1, working through the dialog boxes if you are doing an expert or text install. If you are doing the default graphical mode install, you will be operating out of console 7.

The Installation Program

Welcome to Red Hat Linux 7.0! This is the screen that you should be seeing after you have booted from your CD-ROM or floppy. (See Figure 2.2.) This is where the real step-by-step install begins. For your install, I will assume that you have a mouse attached to your system (highly recommended) and you are installing off of CD-ROMs. Depending on if you booted to this point from the CD or the floppy, the first few screens may be slightly different. However, they will ask basically the same questions and will bring you to the same install screens outlined here. Differences will be noted throughout the process.

Pressing Enter now will start the loading of the boot kernel. It will autoprobe for some of your hardware as well. You may see it loading some SCSI drivers if you have any SCSI cards installed. It will also attempt to find your mouse so you can point and click your way through the interface.

Figure 2.2 The Welcome screen.

The first screen you see is the Language Selection screen. It asked you which language you would like to use during the installation process. The default is English, but other options include Czech, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Swedish, and Turkish. Click the Next button to continue. If you booted from a floppy, use the arrow keys to highlight your choice and press the Tab key to move to the OK button. Press Enter to continue using that selection.

The next screen is Keyboard Configuration. This step is a bit different depending on how you booted. The floppy disk boot asks you simply which keyboard layout you are using. Select which one you have and press OK to continue. If you booted directly from the CD, you will have three list boxes for Model, Layout, and Enable Dead Keys. Select the options that match your system and test it in the text box at the bottom of the screen. After your configuration is complete, press the Next button.

Most likely you will have chosen to boot from CD-ROM. If you have, you will see the Mouse Configuration screen next. If you booted from floppy you will be presented with a screen to select installation from the hard drive or CD-ROM. Select CD-ROM and press OK. You will be prompted to insert the CD-ROM into your drive if it is not already there. If you booted using another method such as a network install or floppy the system will scan for your mouse and load you into the graphical mode GUI at this point.

Unless you selected a full text install (or do not have a mouse) the Mouse Configuration screen is displayed. Select the type of mouse that you are using. You also have the option to check the Emulate 3 Buttons option if you have a two-button mouse. When you have made your selection, press Next.

You have now completed the Installation Program setup and are presented with the Welcome to Red Hat Linux system installer screen.

The System Installer

This part of the install is where you get to select what type of install (workstation, server, custom) you would like to do, the programs you would like to install, and system configuration.

New or Upgrade?

The installation program now asks whether you are installing a new system or upgrading a system that already contains Red Hat Linux 2.0 or greater. You are installing a new system, so highlight Install and press Enter.

There are three classes of installation: Workstation, Server, and Custom. By default the Workstation class is selected. As you go along, I'll point out the differences between the Workstation and Server classes. Select which installation you would like to do and press Next.

Partitioning

Because this is a new installation, the system installer assumes you do not have your Linux partitions set up. It does, however, give the following warning:

You are about to erase any preexisting Linux installations on your system.
If you don't want to do this, you can continue with this install by partitioning manually, or you can go back and perform a fully customized installation.

This warning should be heeded, because it will indeed write over any previously installed Linux partitions. You should only get this warning if the system sees Linux partitions already present on your system.

If you do have a Linux partition and you did not choose Custom, the system assumes you want to use the same partitions for the new system and begins to overwrite what is already there.

If you are performing a new install (and you did not previously have a Linux partition), or if you chose Custom, you are next prompted to partition your disks. Depending on which install you selected you will be given the option to Automatically partition your drives (except in custom install) or Manually partition using Disk Druid or fdisk. It is recommended that if you are going to manually partition your drives that you use Disk Druid. You should only use fdisk if you are familiar with using it.

Make your partition selection. If you selected automatic partitioning, it will skip the next few screens and bring you to the Network Configuration screen (provided you have a network device installed). If you choose to manually partition your drives follow the information in the previous section on partitioning using the interface you select. After you partition your drives, you will be prompted to choose the partitions you wish to format. You also have the option to check for bad blocks while formatting. It is recommended that you do this, but it will increase the time it takes to format your drives. Next you are asked to configure the Linux Loader.

Configuring LILO

The next screen presents you with possible startup loader locations. A comment ensures that you do not overwrite the correct one. The choices are the Master Boot Record and the First Sector of Boot Partitions.

The Master Boot Record is the entire system's boot record. Replacing this causes LILO to start every time the system starts.

The First Sector of Boot Partitions can be used if you have another bootloader on your system. If these loaders are already in the primary drive's Master Boot Record, you probably do not want to replace them. (For more information refer to Chapter 3.)

If your system has SCSI drives, or you want to install LILO on a partition with more than 1023 cylinders, it may be necessary to enable the option to Use Linear Mode. If it is not, enabling this option shouldn't hurt anything, so it is probably a good idea to do so.

A few systems need to pass special options to the kernel at startup time in order for the system to function properly. If you need to pass startup options to the kernel, enter them at the next screen. The second part of bootloader states that it can start other operating systems that are on your system. If you have Windows 95 or 98, bootloader recognizes this and gives it a DOS startup label.

Press Next when you have made your selections. More often than not, you will just be able to accept the default selections.

Network Configuration

If you have one or more network interface cards (NIC) installed this next screen will allow you to enter configurations for each one. If you do not have a network card installed you may not see this screen at all.

Enter the IP address, netmask, network, and broadcast IPs for each NIC (or select the DHCP option if you have a DHCP server on your network). Also enter in the hostname for your system as well as its gateway and DNS addresses.

There is also an option for you to Activate on Boot. This will activate that NIC upon boot. You will have to manually start that interface once the system is booted if this is not selected. The install does probe your network cards but is not guaranteed to always be correct. If your card does not seem to be functioning after your install, you can go back in and change which driver your card is using, as well as all of these options.

Once you have filled this in, press Next to continue configuring your system.

If you do not want to configure your NIC at this moment, you can easily do it later after the install.

Setting the Time Zone

You are next asked to set up your system's time zone. You can simply mouse over the map, find your location, and click to select your time zone. Also, you may just select the correct time zone from the list box under the map. If you want to configure this by selecting your Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) offset, you can select that tab and find your offset in that list box. Press Next when you are ready to move to the Account Configuration portion of the setup.

Setting the `root` Password and the `root` Account

The root account has no limitations; therefore, the password for this account must be kept secure. You are asked to enter a password twice. The password must be at least six characters long. As you type in this new password, notice that the typing is hidden with "*". This is a security feature. You enter the password into the system twice to make sure you typed it correctly. The root password should be alphanumeric and a mixture of upper- and lowercase characters to make it harder for hackers to guess.

root is the all-powerful administrative account and is the most privileged account on a Linux system. This account gives you the ability to carry out all facets of system administration, including adding accounts, changing user passwords, examining log files, installing software, and so on. When using this account it is crucial to be as careful as possible. The root account has no security restrictions imposed upon it. This means it is easy to perform administrative duties without hassle. However, the system assumes you know what you are doing, and will do exactly what you request—no questions asked. Therefore, it is easy with a mistyped command to wipe out crucial system files. When you are logged in as or acting as root, the shell prompt displays # as the last character (if you are using bash). This is to serve as a warning to you of the absolute power of this account.

The rule of thumb is, never sign in as root unless absolutely necessary. While root, type commands carefully and double-check them before pressing Enter. Sign off from the root account as soon as you have accomplished the task you signed on for. During the install, you can create normal user accounts at the same dialog box that allows you to set the root password. It is advised that you set an account up here and use it all the time rather than the root account.

You may also set up other user accounts at this time as well. It is suggested that you set up at least one other user account at this time. Enter in the account name as well as the password. You may also include the full name of this person as well. Click Add to accept the user. If you want to edit a user you create, just highlight the account name and click Edit. You may also delete any users here.

Press Next to continue.

Authentication Configuration

Additional authentication configuration settings follow the setting of root's password. The first two choices have to do with added password security. It is recommended that you at least turn on shadow passwords, if not both shadow passwords and MD5 passwords. This is highly important—not using encrypted passwords means that hackers can have a field day if they gain access to your computer. In today's environment, with many people having a permanent connection to the Internet, it means that your computer is viewable to more or less the whole world, including hackers.

You are asked if you want to have NIS enabled. If you do, you also need to supply the NIS domain and server. (See Chapter 15, "NIS: Network Information Service," for more information on NIS.) You also get the option of choosing to have the system request services via a broadcast instead of providing a server name.

You may also enable Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). If you do you will be asked to enter in the LDAP server and the LDAP base distinguished name (DN).

The last option you have is to enable Kerberos. You may enter the realm, Key Distribution Center (KDC), and admin server that apply.

Press Next to continue to select the package groups.

Packages to Install

The next screen asks which packages you want to install. Depending on which class of install you selected at the beginning, you will have a different amount of packages that you can choose to install. If you chose the workstation installation you will just have the GNOME, KDE, and Games packages to choose from. This does not mean that these are the only packages that will be installed, but the installer does limit your choices for extras you can add to the base installation.

The Server install gives you the options to install the news, NFS, Web, and DNS server packages. The other packages will be installed as defined by the base server install. If you want more control over which packages you want to install on your system, you should select the custom install, which gives you the full list of packages to choose from.

If you did choose the custom install option, you can select which packages you want to install from the full list. If you want to install everything, just go to the bottom of the list and select Everything. Red Hat Linux 7 now uses a three-CD-ROM install (you're asked to swap the CDs during the install)… an Everything install requires 1.9GB+! (Actually, /usr will require nearly 2GB (or 250MB more than indicated due to temporary installation files) for a full install.

No matter which one of these three you chose at the beginning, you can check the Select Individual Packages box at the bottom of the screen to customize the selections even further.

If you do decide to select individual packages, the next screen will let you select to install and not install items that were selected for that class of install.

After you have made your package selections or individual package selections, the installer will check the dependencies in the packages selected for installation. If some packages are lacking dependencies, the installer will prompt you to install them. It is a good idea to make sure that all the dependencies are installed.

If you have selected packages that install X you will next enter into the X Configuration. If you have selected a server install or have not included X in your installation you skip the X Configuration and will be ready to have the system format your partitions and load the packages you have selected.

X Configuration

If you selected to install X, you will be able to configure it now. The first screen attempts to detect your monitor. Select the monitor that you have and make sure that the horizontal and vertical sync match your monitor's specifications. If you do not select the correct monitor, you risk damaging your monitor.

After you have selected the monitor that matches your system, click Next.

Now the system probes for your graphics card. If the settings found by the probe do not match your hardware, select the correct card from the list. Also specify the amount of RAM that you have on your video card. You can press the Test This Configuration button to test the settings you have selected.

Other options that you can choose now are to use the graphical login, your default desktop, and to customize X configuration. Customize X Configuration allows you to choose specific color and resolution settings. When you are finished selecting your video options, click Next.

About to Install

When you have finished all the configurations, you reach the About to Install screen. When you press the Next button on this screen, the system will format your partitions, load the packages you selected, and prepare the configurations you have selected in the previous screens. Also note that it leaves a complete log of your installation in /tmp/install.log after rebooting your system. Depending on the speed of your CD-ROM, your system, and how many packages you requested, this process may take 25 minutes or longer.

Installing Packages

The system now formats your partitions and starts installing the packages onto your system. The display tells you where it is currently in the install process and gives you an estimation on how long until the installation is complete. Sit back and relax and let the installer do the work! Keep an eye on the install though, because you will need to swap in disk two as the installation progresses.

When this process completes the system will ask you if you would like to create a boot disk.

Creating a Startup Disk

A custom startup disk provides a way of starting your Linux system without depending on the normal bootloader. This is useful if you don't want to install LILO on your system, another operating system removes LILO, or LILO doesn't work with your hardware configuration. A custom startup disk can also be used with the Red Hat Rescue image, making recovery from severe system failures much easier.

If you say Yes, you are asked to insert a blank floppy disk into the first diskette drive (/dev/fd0). The system creates a startup disk after you have inserted the blank disk.

Done

Installation is complete. You need to remove the disk and press Enter to restart. You are now ready to log in to your Red Hat Linux system!

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