Chapter 6. Using ServerGuide for IBM Netfinity
The HardwareGuide CD helped us to perform a simplified server installation that was specific to our system based on the hardware detected. HardwareGuide’s easy-to-use wizard interface gave us complete control of the setup and configuration process, with a choice of an express or custom configuration path. After we completed the hardware configuration, we were ready to install our network operating system. The SoftwareGuide CD was used to install our Windows NT 4.0 Server network operating system. SoftwareGuide helped us by installing the device drivers needed for our IBM Netfinity 5500 systems and are utilized by Windows NT 4.0 Server. This was all that was needed to get our servers up and running. Afterward, we downloaded Microsoft’s Service Pack 4 for Windows NT 4.0 Server to update our network operating systems to the latest level.
World Wide Web
For the latest device drivers, software patches, product information, general ServerGuide notes or specific information about your server model and your operating system, visit the ServerGuide home page at:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/server/sguide/ and click Support.
Information and BIOS updates for your server can also be obtained from the
Netfinity Web site:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/netfinity/ and click Support.
6.1 ServerGuide Overview
Installing and configuring a server can be a complex, time-consuming task. In addition to installing hardware, installing the operating system, device drivers and applications makes the task more complex. Because of this, some of your highest cost can be the initial installation and configuration of a server. When several servers are being installed, the costs can rise significantly.
The solution for IBM Netfinity servers is IBM ServerGuide. ServerGuide is designed to simplify and shorten setup, configuration, and network operating system (NOS) installation. ServerGuide simplifies deployment, helping you reduce your total cost of ownership, and also reduces the complexity that administrators and technical personnel face.
ServerGuide is shipped with every IBM Netfinity server. ServerGuide’s built-in intelligence recognizes machine types and models of servers and software versions and other hardware criteria. As a result, ServerGuide offers installation and configuration choices designed for your system and its respective custom configuration.
ServerGuide is packaged in an easy-to-use binder format that contains the ServerGuide CDs and the IBM Netfinity system reference manual. ServerGuide aids the installation of all major operating systems. You need your own copy of the operating system you plan to install.