Chapter 2. Controlling the Installation

Contents

2.1. Installation on the Computer Console
2.2. Installation Using a Serial Console
2.3. Installation with SSH
2.4. Installation over VNC
2.5. Installation with AutoYaST

Abstract

Control the installation in one of several ways. The method most frequently used is to install SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server from the computer console. Other options are available for different situations. Find more information about the available installation methods in Chapter Deployment Strategies (↑Installation and Administration).

2.1. Installation on the Computer Console

The simplest way to install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is using the computer console. With this method, a graphical installation program guides you through the installation. This installation method is discussed in detail in Chapter Installation with YaST (↑Installation and Administration).

You can still perform the installation on the console without a working graphics mode. The text-based installation program offers the same functionality as the graphical version. Find some hints about navigation in this mode in Section “Navigation in Modules” (Chapter 8, System Configuration with YaST, ↑Installation and Administration).

2.2. Installation Using a Serial Console

For this installation method, you need a second computer that is connected by a null modem cable to the computer on which to install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Depending on the hardware, even the firmware or BIOS of the computer may already be accessible to the serial console. If this is possible, you can carry out the entire installation using this method. To activate the serial console installation, additionally specify the parameter console=ttyS0 at the boot promptdirectly after the boot process has completed and before the installation system starts.

On most computers, there are two serial interfaces, ttyS0 and ttyS1. For the installation, you need a terminal program like minicom or screen. To initiate the serial connection, launch the screen program in a local console by entering the following command:

screen /dev/ttyS0 9600

This means that screen listens to the first serial port with a baud rate of 9600. From this point on, the installation proceeds similarly to the text-based installation over this terminal.

2.3. Installation with SSH

If you do not have direct access to the computer hardware and, for example, the installation should be launched from a management console, control the entire installation process over the network. To do this, enter the parameters UseSSH=1 and SSHPassword=<secret> at the boot prompt. An SSH daemon is then launched in the system and you can log in to the system as user root with the password secret. To connect, use the command ssh -X root@<ipaddr>.

If you do not have a DHCP server available in your local network, manually assign an IP address to the installation system. Do this by entering the option HostIP=<ipaddr> at the boot prompt.

As soon as you are logged in to the installation system, launch the actual installation with the command yast for a text-based installation or yast2 to proceed with the graphical installation. This then guides you through the installation. This procedure is described in detail in Section “Simple Remote Installation via SSH—Dynamic Network Configuration” (Chapter 4, Remote Installation, ↑Installation and Administration).

2.4. Installation over VNC

If you do not have direct access to the system, but want a graphical installation, install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server over VNC. This method is described in detail in Section “VNC Installation” (Chapter 4, Remote Installation, ↑Installation and Administration).

As suitable VNC clients are also available for other operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows and MacOS, the installation can also be controlled from computers running those operating systems.

2.5. Installation with AutoYaST

If you need to install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server on a number of computers with similar hardware, it is recommended to perform the installations with the aid of AutoYaST. In this case, start by installing one SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and use this to create the necessary AutoYaST configuration files.

AutoYaST is extensively documented in Chapter Automated Installation (↑Installation and Administration).