INSTALLATION OF LINUX

Quick Facts

• Linux uses NativeLinux File System, so without setting up Samba it will not be able to access files using NTFS or FAT32.

• LiLo (LInux LOader) overrides other OS boot options but is NOT compatible with WinNT.

• A typical installation will be around 700MB.

Hardware Consideration

• Red Hat suggest that you write down the make, model, and size of your hardware before you install.

• Red Hat 6.2 will automatically configure all supported hardware.

Partition Consideration

• Installing Linux on it’s own hard drive• Before installing Linux, save the files you wish to

keep as everything on that hard drive will be erased.

• Installing Linux and other OS on the same hard drive

1. Partition the hard drive into at least two drives (using fdisk) before you install Linux.

2. If the hard drive is already partitioned, all files on the partitioned drive in which Linux will be installed will be lost.

To Begin Installation

Console Keystrokes Contents

1 Ctrl-Alt-F1 installation dialog

2 Ctrl-Alt-F2 shell prompt

3 Ctrl-Alt-F3 install log (messages from installation program)

4 Ctrl-Alt-F4 system-related messages

5 Ctrl-Alt-F5 other messages

7 Ctrl-Alt-F7 X graphical display

Language and Mouse Selection

Select the Language.

Select keyboard type.

Mouse Configuration

•

Installation Type

• Custom is personally HIGHLY recommended:

• Allows LiLo configuration, a MUST for those also running WinNT.

• Allows you to choose your partitioning scheme.

• Allows you to install both Gnome and KDE GUI’s.

Setting Partitioning Scheme

1. Highlight the drive on which you wish to install Linux.

2. Select Delete to remove the current partition.

Partitions to Add

• Add the following partitions:

Mount Point Type

/boot Linux Native

/Swap Linux Swap

/ Linux Native

Size of Partitions:

/boot -no more than 16M.

/Swap -at least 16M, size of your RAM is recommended.

/ -(a.k.a root) how ever much space is left on your hard drive, this is where your programs will be stored so it must be big enough to hold install programs.

Formatting Partitions

• Click on the partitions which you want to format

• /boot

• /

• Any others you’ve added

• Swap will not be an option

• If you are confident of your hard drive, there should not be a need to check for bad sectors.

LiLo Configuration

• Running WinNT• Do Not install LiLo if

you are running NT.

• Create a boot disk.

• Default boot from other OS

• Click on write to MBR.

• Highlight the boot image.

• Click on <Default boot Image> box.

Network Configuration

• Only shows up if you have NIC card.

• Obtain these numbers from your ISP.

• If you do not have static IP or connections such as DSL, there will be no need to configure this screen.

Choosing Passwords

• Root Password• Use login name: root.

• Only a root/su (super user) access will allow you to configure Linux after installation.

• Reminder: both Account Name and Password are case sensitive.

Authentication Configuration

• MD5 Password• allows a long password (up to 256 chars

instead of 8).

• Shadow Password • Retains passwords in /etc/shadow, which

is only accessible by root.

• Enable NIS: Allows you to run a group of computers in the same NIS (network information service) domain with common a password and group file.

• NIS domain- specify domain your system belongs to.

• NIS server- specifies the NIS server your computer uses.

Packages to Install

• X Window System is a MUST.

• First time users should keeps those packages already selected.

• Recommend installing both KDE and GNOME*.

• You can choose to select individual packages to see what’s contained in each package. (not recommended).

*If your hard drive space is limited, KDE

seems to offer better utilities for first time

users.

Monitor Selection

Boot Disk Creation

• NT users must create a boot disk in order to boot up Linux.

• Boot disk is recommended as sometimes things go wrong, especially if LiLo was not configured correctly.

And Finally

• Remove disk from floppy and let system reboot.

• After power up sequence is complete, you will see the boot prompt.

boot:

Press [Enter] – will boot LiLo’s default entry.

Enter boot label [Enter] – will boot appropriate entry (ie: linux [Enter], win [Enter].

? – Lists available boot options.

Do nothing – after a few seconds LiLo will boot the default entry.