IBM manual System Partition, IBM xSeries 235 Type 8671 User’s Guide

vThe ServerGuide program prompts you for your language, country, and keyboard layout. (This information is stored and later passed to the operating-system installation program.)

vThe ServerGuide program displays choices for running the configuration programs. For example:

–The Express Configuration method runs the required programs for your server, based on the hardware that is detected.

–The Custom Configuration method displays all programs that are available for your server, and you decide which programs to run.

–The Replicated Configuration method provides the option of duplicating your setup selections to other servers that are the same model.

vIf you select the Custom Configuration method, the following features are optional. If you select the Express Configuration method, some or all of these features are run, depending on the hardware that is detected:

–The Set Date and Time feature is provided so that you do not have to use the Configuration/Setup Utility program to access these settings.

–The Clear Hard Disks feature is provided so you can delete all partitions on all hard disk drives.

–The ServerGuide program checks the server BIOS code and microcode (firmware) levels for supported options and then checks the CD for a newer level. The CD content might be newer than the BIOS code and firmware level. The ServerGuide program can perform a flash update of the BIOS code and supported microcode (firmware) options without using diskettes.

–The SCSI RAID configuration program starts, leading you through the entire configuration process.

–The ServerGuide program creates a System Partition on the default drive.

vThe ServerGuide program displays a confirmation summary, so that you will know when you have completed all the required tasks. Then, you are ready to install your operating system.

Notes:

1.Plug and Play adapters are configured automatically. Non-Plug and Play adapters or non-IBM adapters might require switch settings, additional device drivers, and installation after the operating system is installed. See the documentation that comes with the adapter.

2.Diagnostics for your server come in BIOS code or on a separate diagnostics CD.

System Partition

The ServerGuide program creates a 50 MB System Partition on the default drive. The System Partition contains server-specific utility programs such as service-processor disk operating system (DOS) utilities, system diagnostics, flash BIOS updates, and other programs. Programs in the System Partition vary by server model, and not all server models run utility programs from the System Partition. To determine which ones do, start the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD and view the online overview.

After setup is complete, you can access programs in the System Partition by restarting the server and pressing Alt+F1 when the prompt is displayed. The System Partition menu displays the programs that are available on your server model.

24IBM xSeries 235 Type 8671: User’s Guide