x86: Performing an Installation or Upgrade With the Solaris Installation Program

You can either install or upgrade the Solaris OS by using the Solaris installation program. This section lists the task you need to perform to install the Solaris OS, and provides detailed instructions about how to install the Solaris OS from DVD or CD media.

x86: To Install or Upgrade With the Solaris Installation Program With GRUB

The Solaris installation programs for x86 based systems use the GRUB boot loader. This procedure describes how to install a standalone x86 based system with the GRUB bootloader from CD or DVD media. For overview information about the GRUB boot loader, see Chapter 6, GRUB Based Booting for Solaris Installation, in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Planning for Installation and Upgrade.

Note - Starting with the Solaris Express, Developer Edition 2/07, you now have an alternate method for installing the Solaris OS on your laptop. The Solaris Express, Developer Edition (Developer release) provides a simple initial installation of the Solaris OS for a laptop. Combined with community and Sun support and training services, this release includes the tools, technologies, and platforms that enable developers to create custom Solaris, Java, and Web 2.0 applications.

For information about this new option, see Solaris Express, Developer Edition Installation Guide: Laptop Installations.

Note - If you want to install the Solaris OS on a machine or domain that does not have a directly attached DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive, you can use a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive that is attached to another machine. For detailed instructions, refer to Appendix B, Installing or Upgrading Remotely (Tasks), in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations.

Before You Begin

Perform the following tasks before you begin your installation.

Ensure that you have the following media.
- If you are installing from a DVD, use the Solaris Operating System for x86 Platforms DVD.
- If you are installing from CD media, use the following:
  - Solaris Software CDs.
  - Solaris Languages for x86 Platforms CD – The installation program prompts you for this CD if necessary to support languages for specific geographic regions.
Check your system BIOS to make sure you can boot from CD or DVD media.
Acquire any install time updates (ITUs) or drivers that you need to install the Solaris OS on your hardware. To determine if you need an ITU or additional drivers, see your hardware documentation.
Verify that your system meets the minimum requirements.
Your system should meet the following requirements.
- Memory – 512 Mbytes or greater
- Disk space – 6.8 Gbytes or greater
- Processor speed – 120 MHz or greater with hardware floating point
For detailed information about system requirements, see System Requirements and Recommendations.
If you are installing the Solaris OS on a system that is not produced by Sun Microsystems, Inc., check the Solaris Hardware Compatibility List at http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/hcl before you begin to install.
Gather the information you need to install the Solaris OS.
- For a nonnetworked system, gather the following information.
  - Host name of the system that you are installing
  - Language and locales that you intend to use on the system
- For a networked system, gather the following information.
  
  Note - Starting with the Solaris Express 7/06 release, the generic installation has been changed so that all network services except Secure Shell are disabled or restricted to respond to local requests only. For further information, see Planning Network Security in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Planning for Installation and Upgrade.
  - Host name of the system that you are installing
  - Keyboard layout
    
    Note - Starting with the Solaris Express 2/07 release, If the keyboard is self-identifying, the keyboard layout automatically configures during installation. If the keyboard is not self-identifying, you can select from a list of supported keyboard layouts during installation.
    For further information, see keyboard Keyword in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations.
  - Language and locales that you intend to use on the system
  - Host IP address
  - Subnet mask
  - Type of naming service (for example, DNS, NIS, or NIS+)
  - Domain name
    
    Note - During installation, you can choose the default NFSv4 domain name. Or, you can specify a custom NFSv4 domain name. For more information about specifying a domain name, see NFSv4 Domain Name Configurable During Installation in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Planning for Installation and Upgrade.
  - Host name of the name server
  - Host IP address of the name server
  - Root password
For information that you need to gather to install your system, see Checklist for Installation. If you are upgrading your system, see Checklist for Upgrading in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Planning for Installation and Upgrade.

Note - If you have a system that contains non-global zones, Solaris Live Upgrade is the recommended upgrade program or program to add patches. Other upgrade programs might require extensive upgrade time, because the time required to complete the upgrade increases linearly with the number of installed non-global zones.
For information about upgrading with Solaris Live Upgrade, see Part I, Upgrading With Solaris Live Upgrade, in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Solaris Live Upgrade and Upgrade Planning.
(Optional) Back up your system.
If you want to preserve any existing data or applications, back up the system. For detailed instructions about how to back up your system, see Chapter 23, Backing Up and Restoring File Systems (Overview), in System Administration Guide: Devices and File Systems.

Insert the appropriate media in your system.
If you boot from the Solaris Operating System DVD or the Solaris Software - 1 CD, insert the disc. Your system's BIOS must support booting from a DVD or CD.
You might need to manually set your BIOS to boot from a DVD or CD. See your hardware documentation for more information about how to set the BIOS.
Boot the system by shutting it down and then turning it off and on.
If you need to manually set the BIOS to boot from CD or DVD, type the appropriate key sequence to interrupt your system boot process.
Modify the boot priority in the BIOS, and exit the BIOS to return to the installation program.
A memory test and hardware detection are executed. The screen refreshes. The GRUB menu is displayed.
```
GNU GRUB version 0.95 (631K lower / 2095488K upper memory)
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Solaris Express, Developer Edition                                      |
| Solaris Express                                                         |
| Solaris Express Serial Console ttya                                     |
| Solaris Express Serial Console ttyb (for lx50, v60x and v65x)           |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Use the ^ and v keys to select which entry is highlighted.
Press enter to boot the selected OS, 'e' to edit the
commands before booting, or 'c' for a command-line.
```
Note - Starting with the Solaris Express 2/07 release, if you want to install the Solaris Express release, you must select that release in the initial installation screen.
The GRUB menu now defaults to the Solaris Express, Developer Edition release. This Developer release includes a set of developer tools and uses a quick installation process.
The prior default was to install the Solaris Express release. The Solaris Express release does not include the developer tools set. But, this release enables you to customize your system configuration during the installation.
For further information about the Solaris Express, Developer Edition release, see the Solaris Express, Developer Edition Installation Guide: Laptop Installations.
Select the appropriate installation option.
- If you want to install the Solaris OS from CD or DVD on your current system, select Solaris Express, then press Enter.
  Select this option if you want to install the system by using the default values.
- If you want to install the Solaris OS and send the screen output to serial console ttya (COM1), select Solaris Express Serial Console ttya.
  Select this option if you want to change the system display to a device that is connected to serial port COM1.
- If you want to install the Solaris OS and send the screen output to serial console ttyb (COM2), select Solaris Express Serial Console ttyb.
  Select this option if you want to change the system display to a device that is connected to serial port COM2.
- If you want to install the Solaris Express OS with specific boot arguments, follow these steps.
  You might want to use specific boot arguments to customize the system configuration during the installation.
  1. On the GRUB menu, select the installation option you want to edit, then press e.
    Boot commands that are similar to the following text are displayed in the GRUB menu.
```
kernel /boot/multiboot kernel/unix -B install_media=cdrom
module /boot/x86.miniroot
```
  2. Use the arrow keys to select the boot entry that you want to edit, then press e.
    The boot command that you want to edit is displayed in the GRUB edit window.
  3. Edit the command by typing the boot arguments or options you want to use.
    The command syntax for the Grub edit menu is as follows.
```
grub edit>kernel /boot/multiboot kernel/unix/ \
install [url|ask] -B options install_media=media_type
```
    For information about boot arguments and command syntax, see Chapter 8, Installing From the Network (Command Reference), in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations.
  4. To go back to the GRUB menu, press Enter.
    The GRUB menu is displayed. The edits you made to the boot command are displayed.
  5. To begin the installation, type b in the GRUB menu.
The Solaris installation program checks the default boot disk for the requirements to install or upgrade the system. If the Solaris installation cannot detect the system configuration, the program prompts you for any missing information.
When the check is completed, the installation selection screen is displayed.
Select an installation type.
The installation selection screen displays the following options.
```
      Select the type of installation you want to perform:

         1 Solaris Interactive
         2 Custom JumpStart
         3 Solaris Interactive Text (Desktop session)
         4 Solaris Interactive Text (Console session)
         5 Apply driver updates
         6 Single user shell

         Enter the number of your choice followed by the <ENTER> key.
         Alternatively, enter custom boot arguments directly.

         If you wait 30 seconds without typing anything,
         an interactive installation will be started.
```
- To install the Solaris OS, choose from the following options.
  - To install with the Solaris interactive installation GUI, type 1, then press Enter.
  - To perform an unattended custom JumpStart installation, type 2, then press Enter.
    For information about JumpStart installations, see Solaris Express Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations.
  - To install with the interactive text installer in a desktop session, type 3, then press Enter. You can also type b - text at the prompt.
    Select this installation type to override the default GUI installer and run the text installer.
    For detailed information about the Solaris installation GUI and text installer, see System Requirements and Recommendations.
  - To install with the interactive text installer in a console session, type 4, then press Enter. You can also type b - text at the prompt.
    Select this installation type to override the default GUI installer and run the text installer.
  The system configures the devices and interfaces, and searches for configuration files. If the operating system cannot locate a self-identifying keyboard, the next screen displays keyboard layout selections. If the system locates a self-identifying keyboard, skip to Step 9.
  
  Note - To perform system administration tasks before your installation, choose either option 5 or option 6, as described below, instead of selecting one of the installation options 1–4.
  - To update drivers or install an install time update (ITU), insert the update media, type 5, then press Enter.
    You might need to update drivers or install an ITU to enable the Solaris OS to run on your system. Follow the instructions for your driver update or ITU to install the update.
  - To perform system administration tasks, type 6, then press Enter.
    You might want to launch a single user shell if you need to perform any system administration tasks on your system before you install. For information about system administration tasks you can perform prior to installation, see System Administration Guide: Basic Administration.
  After you perform these system administration tasks, the previous list of options is displayed. Select the appropriate option to continue the installation.

(Optional) Select the desired keyboard layout from the screen below and press F2 to continue.

Configure Keyboard Layout
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|   Please specify the keyboard layout from the list below.                 |
|                                                                           |
|   To make a selection, use the arrow keys to highlight the option and     |
|   press Return to mark it [X].                                            |
|                                                                           |
|            Keyboard  Layout                                               |
|            -----------------------                                        |
|       [  ] Serbia-And Montenegro                                          |
|       [  ] Slovenian                                                      |
|       [  ] Slovakian                                                      |
|       [  ] Spanish                                                        |
|       [  ] Swedish                                                        |
|       [  ] Swiss-French                                                   |
|       [  ] Swiss-German                                                   |
|       [  ] Taiwanese                                                      |
|       [  ] TurkishQ                                                       |
|       [  ] TurkishF                                                       |
|       [  ] UK-English                                                     |
|       [ X] US-English                                                     |
|                                                                           |
|    F2_Continue      F6_Help                                               |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+

The system configures the devices and interfaces and searches for configuration files. If you selected a GUI installation in the earlier steps, the next two screens confirm GUI functioning.

(Optional) In the following screen, press Enter.

Starting Solaris Interactive (graphical user interface) 
Installation
+------------------------------------------------------------+
| You must respond to the first question within 30 seconds   |
| or the installer proceeds in a non-window environment      |
| (console mode).                                            |
|                                                            |
| If the screen becomes blank or unreadable the installer    |
| proceeds in console mode.                                  |
|                                                            |
| If the screen does not properly revert to console mode,    |
| restart the installation and make the following selection: |
|                                                            |
|      Solaris Interactive Text (Console session)            |
-------------------------------------------------------------+

Note - If your system has insufficient memory, the program exists and displays an error message. You can upgrade your memory and restart the installation.

For an alternative that requires less memory to install, restart the installation and follow these steps:

Select the Solaris Express option.
Choose the Solaris Interactive Text (console session) option.
This alternative provides a text-mode installation that requires additional configuration input.

After progress messages are completed, another confirmationscreen is displayed.

(Optional) Move your cursor into the following text screen and press Enter.
A list of language choices is displayed.
In the following screen, select the language you want to use during the installation, and press Enter.
After a few seconds, the Solaris Installation Program screen appears.
- If you are running the Solaris GUI installation program, the screen that is shown in Figure 2-5 is displayed.
- If you are running the Solaris text installer in a desktop session, the screen that is shown in Figure 2-6 is displayed.
Figure 2-5 Solaris GUI Installation Program Welcome Screen
Figure 2-6 Solaris Text Installation Program Welcome Screen
Click Next to begin the installation. If you are prompted, answer any remaining configuration questions.
- If you preconfigured all of the system information, the installation program does not prompt you to enter any configuration information. See Chapter 2, Preconfiguring System Configuration Information (Tasks), in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations for more information.
- If you did not preconfigure all the system information, the installation program prompts you for this information on several screens. Use the Checklist for Installation to help you answer the configuration questions.
After you answer the configuration questions, the Welcome to Solaris panel appears.
Figure 2-7 Welcome to Solaris Screen
Decide if you want to reboot the system automatically and if you want to automatically eject the disc. Click Next.
The Specify Media screen appears.
Specify the media you are using to install. Click Next.
The License screen appears.
Accept the license agreement to continue the installation. Click Next.
The Solaris installation program then determines if the system can be upgraded. To upgrade, the system must have an existing Solaris root (/) file system. The Solaris installation program detects the necessary conditions and then upgrades the system.
The Select Upgrade or Initial Install screen appears.
Decide if you want to perform an initial installation or an upgrade. Click Next.
Note - If you restored the diagnostic or service partition on your system before you started the installation, you might not be able to upgrade to the Solaris OS. For more information, see Service Partition Not Created by Default on Systems With No Existing Service Partition in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Solaris Live Upgrade and Upgrade Planning.

The next screen enables you to choose a default installation or a custom installation.
Select the type of installation you want to perform. Click Next.
- Select Default Install to install the Entire Solaris Software Group.
- Select Custom Install if you want to perform the following tasks.
  - Install a specific software group
  - Install additional software
  - Install specific software packages
  - Install a specific locale
  - Customize the disk layout
For more information about software groups, see Disk Space Recommendations for Software Groups. For information about customizing fdisk partitions, see Partitioning Recommendations in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Planning for Installation and Upgrade.

Note - The text installer does not prompt you to select a Default or Custom Installation. To perform a default installation, accept the default values that are provided in the text installer. To perform a custom installation, edit the values in the text installer screens.
If you are prompted, answer any additional configuration questions.
When you have provided the information that is required to install the system, the Ready to Install screen is displayed.
Figure 2-8 Solaris Installation Ready to Install Screen
Click Install Now to install the Solaris software. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the Solaris software and any additional software on the system.
When the Solaris installation program is finished installing the Solaris software, the system reboots automatically or prompts you to reboot manually.
After the installation is finished, installation logs are saved in a file. You can find the installation logs in the /var/sadm/system/logs and /var/sadm/install/logs directories
- If you are performing an initial installation, the installation is complete. Go to Step 18.
- If you are upgrading the Solaris software, you might need to correct some local modifications that were not preserved. Go to Step a.
  1. Review the contents of the /a/var/sadm/system/data/upgrade_cleanup file to determine whether you need to correct local modifications that the Solaris installation program could not preserve.
  2. Correct any local modifications that were not preserved.
If you did not select automatic reboot during the installation, reboot the system.
```
# reboot
```

More Information

Next Steps

If you install multiple operating systems on your machine, you need to instruct the GRUB boot loader to recognize these operating systems in order to boot. For more information, see Modifying the Solaris Boot Behavior by Editing the GRUB Menu in System Administration Guide: Basic Administration.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any problems during the installation or upgrade, see Appendix A, Troubleshooting (Tasks), in Solaris Express Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations.