Very Computer

(1) Is there a way to get the bootloader to use bootp instead of rarp?
    Rarp doesn't tell the client about the netmask or gateway. (Why
    did Sun choose to use an obsolete protocol?)

(2) Failing (1), and supposing that the client machine is running
    an earlier version of the OS (4.x or 5.x), would it be possible
    to NFSmount the CD and perform the installation while running
    the older OS?

(3) Failing (2), would it be possible to copy a minimal set of files
    from the install CD to the client's hard disk, reboot the client
    so that it uses the NEW kernel, mounts the install CD
    and performs the install?

I'm planning to see if any of the above are possible, but I'm hoping
that someone else has already done the experimentation. I'd appreciate
any help.

--Nick

(please email as well as post)

:We are trying to distribute solaris 2.3 to our clients via the network.
:Unfortunately, solaris does not install gracefully in the presence of
:subnets, where it requires an install server. We would like to avoid
:this, so...
We install 2.3 and installed 2.2 over subnets. That is the install_server
is on another subnet (With cdrom copied to disk to gain speed ;-))
On the subnet where the to install machine is you have to take
some action's

1) nis maps/bootparams

 ethers
 timezone
 netmasks
 /etc/bootparams (For solaris 2.3 for eachhost a line)
4m_client.domain root=server:/install/export/exec/kvm/sparc.sun4m.Solaris_2.3      
install=server:/install install_config=server:/export/install_info_2.3

2) bootimage for install
  in /tftpboot (e.g. on your local subnet nis server)
  I installed:

        /tftpboot/inetboot
        /tftpboot/inetboot.sun4{,m,c}.Solaris.2.3
        (in fact all the same)

  and /tftpboot/mk_link (Own script)

        #!/bin/sh
        # mk link (program to make link's for a machine)
        #
        # using ypmatch hosts, (is better updated than host/dns)

        if [ $# != 2 ]
        then
                echo $0: usage $0 host kernel_arch
                exit 1
        fi

        host=$1
        kernel_arch=`echo $2 | tr '[a-z]' '[A-Z]'`

        case $kernel_arch in
                4|SUN4) kernel_arch=SUN4
                ;;
                4C|SUN4C)       kernel_arch=SUN4C
                ;;
                4D|SUN4D)       kernel_arch=SUN4D
                ;;
                4E|SUN4E)       kernel_arch=SUN4E
                ;;
                4M|SUN4M)       kernel_arch=SUN4M
                ;;
                *)              echo $kernel_arch not supported
                                exit 1
                ;;
        esac
        kerneli=`echo $kernel_arch | tr '[A-Z]' '[a-z]'`
        if [ -f ./inetboot.${kerneli}.Solaris.2.3 ]
        then
                ainetboot=inetboot.${kerneli}.Solaris.2.3
        else
                ainetboot=inetboot
        fi

        set -- `host $host`
        if [ $? != 0 ]
        then
                echo  $0: $host not in DNS
                exit 2
        fi
        inet=$3
        hexid=`echo $inet | awk -F. '{ printf "%02x%02x%02x%02x\n", $1,$2,$3,$4 }'`
        hexid=`echo $hexid | tr '[a-z]' '[A-Z]'`

        rm -f $hexid $hexid.$kernel_arch
        ln -s $ainetboot $hexid
        ln -s $ainetboot $hexid.$kernel_arch

3)
     for each to install host you do a
     ./mk_link to_install_host_name to_install_host_kernel_arch
     e.g. ./mk_link sunshine 4m

On the install_server you have to make sure, all hosts can
mount the install disk.

in /etc/dfs/dfstab:

share -F nfs -o ro=all_your_machines_netgroup /install
share -F nfs -o ro=all_your_machines_netgroup /export/install_info

(When your netgroup change, perform the commands by hand)

:(1) Is there a way to get the bootloader to use bootp instead of rarp?
:    Rarp doesn't tell the client about the netmask or gateway. (Why
:    did Sun choose to use an obsolete protocol?)

:(2) Failing (1), and supposing that the client machine is running
:    an earlier version of the OS (4.x or 5.x), would it be possible
:    to NFSmount the CD and perform the installation while running
:    the older OS?

:(3) Failing (2), would it be possible to copy a minimal set of files
:    from the install CD to the client's hard disk, reboot the client
:    so that it uses the NEW kernel, mounts the install CD
:    and performs the install?

:I'm planning to see if any of the above are possible, but I'm hoping
:that someone else has already done the experimentation. I'd appreciate
:any help.

:--Nick

:(please email as well as post)

--
Jan Wortelboer,  University of Amsterdam

Unix             Kruislaan 403 Kamer F003     Phone: +31 20 525 7501
systems manager  1098 SJ AMSTERDAM            Fax  : +31 20 525 7490

Hi Nick --
        You want to set up a "boot" server, which is a subset of
an install server. Off of the CD you'll find a program called
setup_install_server. Run normally, that will copy the contents of
a CD out to a disk (about 660Mb) and set up an install server
for that subnet.
        For other subnets, run setup_install_server -b to set up a
boot server, which copies 20Mb of necessary files per architecture.
Run that on machines on your other subnets, and then you can use these boot
servers to point back to your install server.
        If you need more help, let me know, and I'll post instructions
to the net. (But it is documented in Answerbook.)

---

# Opinions above aren't Sun's, and facts are not necessarily official.

Quote:(Nick Eggleston) writes:

To answer some of your questions: The boot server must be on the same
subnet as your clients, but the install server can be anywhere.  I
don't know how familiar you may be with Jumpstart, but
their doesn't seem to be a way around the ole' rarp.  

I don't have my notes handy (I'm at home), but I'll be glad to post
more of my experiences in the near future.

I contains sample configuration scripts and some discussion about
what is required for a successful/no operator intervention Jumpstart.
Including what files you need to update for each client, what you
should do w/ NIS and NIS+ or what to do without NIS/NIS+.

Casper