Now the real system configuration and installation begins. The first major choice is whether to perform an upgrade or a new install, as shown in Figure 1-9. If this is a new install you have several options to choose from, as follows:
✦Workstation— This option installs workstation-related packages, such as graphic applications, network client tools, and other end user software.
✦Server System —This option installs server-related packages such as Apache, FTP, and so on.
✦Custom System —The Custom installation option lets you select the packages.
For this lab we will choose the Workstation installation option, since the Server installation does not install the X Window System.
Figure 1-9: Install Type
Disk partitioning
Be careful when partitioning your disk! If you have any data you want to keep, be sure to do a backup before partitioning, just in case.
The next task is to partition the hard disk. If there are no other operating systems on the computer, you can let the installation partition the disks for you. If you want to dual boot, you can manually partition the drive with Disk Druid or fdisk.
Disk Druid and fdiskare covered earlier in the chapter.
Figure 1-10 shows the Automatic Partitioning screen.
Cross-Reference
Caution Caution
Figure 1-10: Automatic Partitioning screen
Network Configuration
If a network card was detected in the system the installer now prompts you for con-figuration information, as shown in Figure 1-11. Enter the following concon-figuration information:
✦Configure using DHCP— Have the network interface automatically config-ured from a DHCP server.
✦Activate on boot— Have the network interface automatically started on boot up.
✦IP Address— Unique IP address for this interface.
✦Netmask— Subnet mask for your network.
✦Network— Network number of your network.
✦Broadcast— Broadcast address for your network.
✦Hostname— Name of this computer, not including the domain name. If none is specified, the name “localhost” will be used.
✦Gateway— Default network gateway or router.
✦Primary DNS— Preferred DNS server.
✦Secondary DNS— Backup DNS server.
✦Tertiary DNS— Second backup DNS server.
If you are setting up a lab to practice on, you can use the following network configuration:
IP address: 192.168.1.1 Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Broadcast address: 192.168.1.255 Network address: 192.168.1.0
The gateway and DNS settings can be left blank.
Network configuration is covered in more detail in Chapter 15.
Figure 1-11 shows the Network Configuration screen.
Figure 1-11: Network Configuration screen
Time Zone Selection
The clock configuration is done on the Time Zone Selection screen, shown in Figure 1-12. Choose your correct time zone and choose whether or not your system clock is set to UTC. UTC, or Coordinated Universal Time, is a worldwide standard for denoting time. It was formerly known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Cross-Reference
Figure 1-12: Time Zone Selection screen
Account Configuration
The Account Configuration screen lets you specify the root password and create any other normal user accounts you want. It is always a good idea to create a non-root account to use most of the time. This way you will not accidentally delete files or make system changes. For each account you configure the user name, password, and optional full name. Figure 1-13 shows the Account Configuration screen.
Figure 1-13: Account Configuration screen
Package Group Selection
The screen shown in Figure 1-14 lets you select package groups to install to add functionality to the server. A packagecontains all the files for a software applica-tion. You should install only packages you intend to use so that you do not waste disk space or have to worry about maintaining the security of extra software. You can also select the individual package option to tell the installer other packages to add.
Figure 1-14: Package Group Selection screen
Individual Package Selection
The Individual Package Selection screen lets you select separate packages to install.
Clicking on a package will bring up a description. Feel free to look through the avail-able packages to see if any interest you. They are all optional, so none are required.
To install the package, select the Select Package For Installation option. Figure 1-15 shows the Individual Package Selection screen.
Unresolved Dependencies
The Unresolved Dependencies screen, shown in Figure 1-16, checks any packages you manually install for needed dependencies. If any are found it gives you the option to install the other packages. This keeps you from accidentally installing any unusable software.
Figure 1-15: Individual Package Selection
Figure 1-16: Unresolved Dependencies screen
X Configuration
X Window is installed by default whenever you choose to do the Workstation install. The first step in configuring X Window is to select your monitor. If your mon-itor is not listed you can manually put in the frequency settings available from your manual or vendor’s Web site. Figure 1-17 shows the X Monitor Configuration screen.
Configuring the X Window System is discussed in detail in Chapter 9.
Figure 1-17: X Monitor Configuration screen
The next option allows you to select your video card, as shown in Figure 1-18. In most cases the install program can detect your video card for you. If it is incorrect, you can manually choose the card or options.
An option to Use Graphical Login is also presented on this screen. This has the sys-tem boot to a GUI login screen instead of the normal text login. If you make incor-rect choices during the X Window setup you may have trouble booting after setup.
We recommend that you leave this disabled until you can test X Window and then enable it after setup.
About to Install
The installation program will now show the About to Install screen. This is the warning right before all the changes are made to the system. If you reboot now, you can forget everything done up to this point and the system will still be as it was. By clicking Next you start the installation of Red Hat. Depending on your installation media, number of packages chosen, and computer speed, this may take some time.
Cross-Reference
Figure 1-18: X video card configuration