2 Preparing for Installation

Preparing your server for an OS installation involves setting up a console (VGA, serial, or both) and preparing the hardware for installation. If you are migrating from another OS, you must also ensure that the server platform and its peripheral devices are compatible with Linux before proceeding. This chapter provides detailed instructions for each task.

Obtaining the Latest HP Insight Foundation Suite for Integrity with Linux

HP recommends that you frequently update your copy of the HP Insight Foundation Suite for Integrity with Linux to ensure that your servers are being managed with the most current support tools.

You can obtain the latest version of the HP Insight Foundation Suite for Integrity with Linux by component format using the following procedure:

1.Ensure that your system has an application that can burn a bootable CD or DVD installed (for example, Nero or Roxio).

2.Go to the HP Insight Foundation Suite for Integrity with Linux Smart Setup download page at http://h20293.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/ displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=T2387AA.

3.Select the HP Smart Setup ISO file from the Software Specification list, complete the online form, and then click Next to complete the download.

The HP Smart Setup ISO file contains the entire HP Insight Foundation Suite for Integrity with Linux product including the HP Support Pack.

NOTE: The HP Insight Foundation Suite for Integrity with Linux media delivered by HP may not contain the latest version of the product.

4.Create a bootable disc by writing the HP Smart Setup ISO file and the HP Support Pack files to a CD or DVD using the media burning application.

TIP: You can download tar files of the HP Support Pack, HP SmartSetup Scripting Toolkit, and HP Management Base products.

Ensuring Platform Compatibility

If you are migrating from another OS to Linux, ensure that the hardware is compatible and any data on the server disk is backed up.

Verifying Hardware Compatibility

To verify that your existing hardware is compatible with Linux, use the following steps:

1.Review the Linux certification and support matrix as described in “Ensure Support for Linux on HP Integrity Servers” (page 12).

2.In the Linux certification and support matrix list, select the appropriate Linux distribution tab, and then click the link for the server whose compatibility you want to verify.

3.Click the Product overview and how to buy link.

4.Click the options & accessories tab to review supported hardware configurations. For example, the options & accessories page for the rx8640 server:

http://h71028.www7.hp.com/enterprise/cache/423649-0-0-0-121.html

This web page lists the processors, memory, adapters, and controllers that are available for the rx8640 server.

Obtaining the Latest HP Insight Foundation Suite for Integrity with Linux

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