Compaq DS10, ES40, DS20E appendix SuSE Version 6.1 Distribution

Linux Installation and Configuration Guide for AlphaServer 16

SuSE Version 6.1 Distribution

Pre-Installation

Creating The BOOT and RAMDISK Floppies

Before you can begin to install the Linux software on your AlphaServer, you will need to create a BOOT floppy and RAMDISK. These floppies contain the information required to initiate the installation of Linux. The process varies depending upon what software distribution you are using.

Creating floppies using a MS/Windows system

To create the BOOT and RAMDISK floppies, you will need to make use of a PC, which has Internet access. The instructions below detail the process:

1.Create a directory on the PC into which you will copy files for Linux, for example \Linux.

2.Insert the Linux CD-ROM into the PC.

3.Copy the file ftp://tsx-11.mit.edu/pub/linux/dos_utils/rawrite.exe to "\Linux\rawrite.exe" on the PC. This utility is required to build the floppies.

4.Copy the file "aboot_dualncr-qlogic" from ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/DEC/Linux- Alpha/Images/ to the \Linux directory on the PC and rename the file to aboot.

5.Copy the file "\disks\install" from the CD-ROM to the \Linux directory on the PC.

6.Insert a blank, formatted floppy into the PC.

7.Run the following command from the DOS command shell:

C:\Linux> rawrite

Enter source file name: aboot

Enter destination drive: a

Label this floppy "AlphaServer Linux BOOT Floppy".

8.Run the following command from the DOS command shell: C:\Linux> rawrite

Enter source file name: install

Enter destination drive: a

9.Label this floppy "AlphaServer Linux RAMDISK Floppy".

With those two floppies in hand, you are now prepared to begin the installation process on your AlphaServer.

Creating floppies using an UNIX system

To create the BOOT and RAMDISK floppies, you will need to make use of a computer, which has Internet access. The instructions below detail the process. Note that depending upon what version of unix and vendor computer you are using to perform this process, some minor variations in the process may be required. The exact commands shown here are for Digital UNIX, and should be similar to most other popular UNIX systems.

1.Insert the Linux CD-ROM into the computer, and mount it: $ mount /cdrom

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