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Appendix I

x86: Preparing to Boot From the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant or the Network (Tasks)

This appendix describes the following topics.

x86: Copying the Boot Software to a Diskette

The Solaris Device Configuration Assistant is a program that enables you to perform various hardware configuration and booting tasks. The Solaris Device Configuration Assistant image is found in the Tools directory of either the Solaris x86 Platform Edition DVD or the Solaris Software 2 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD. Use the following procedure to copy the boot image to a 3.5 diskette.

Note - You can boot directly from DVD or CD media or by using a net image with PXE. For information on these methods of booting, see x86: Accessing the Solaris 9 Device Configuration Assistant and PXE.

x86: To Copy the Boot Software to a Diskette

Note - This procedure assumes that the system is running Volume Manager. If you are not using Volume Manager to manage diskettes and discs, refer to System Administration Guide: Basic Administration for detailed information about managing removable media without Volume Manager.

Log in as superuser on an x86 system to which a diskette drive is attached.

On the system with the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive, insert the Solaris x86 Platform Edition DVD or the Solaris Software 2 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD in the drive.
The Volume Manager mounts the disc.

Change to the directory that contains the boot image.
- For DVD media, type:
  # cd /cdrom/sol_9_x86/s2/Solaris_9/Tools
- For CD media, type:
  # cd /cdrom/sol_9_x86/Solaris_9/Tools

Insert a blank diskette or a diskette that can be overwritten in the diskette drive.

Notify Volume Manager to check for new media.
# volcheck

Format the diskette:
Caution - Formatting erases all data on the diskette.
# fdformat -d -U

Copy the file to the diskette.

# dd if=d1_image of=/vol/dev/aliases/floppy0 bs=36k

Eject the diskette by typing eject floppy at the command line, and then manually ejecting the diskette from the drive.

x86: Booting and Installing Over the Network With PXE

This section describes how to set up an x86-based system to install over the network without local boot media. This section describes the following topics.

What is PXE?

PXE network boot is a "direct" network boot. No boot media is required on the client system. With PXE, you can install an x86-based client over the network by using DHCP.

PXE network boot is available only for devices that implement the Intel Preboot Execution Environment specification. To determine if your system supports PXE network boot, see your hardware manufacturer's documentation.

The Solaris boot diskette is still available for systems that do not support PXE. The boot diskette image is available on the Solaris Software 2 of 2 x86 Platform Edition CD.

x86: Guidelines for Booting With PXE

To boot over the network by using PXE, you need the following systems.

An install server
A DHCP server
An x86 client that supports PXE

When you are preparing to use PXE to install a client over the network, consider the following issues.

Set up only one DHCP server on the subnet that includes the client system that you want to install. The PXE network boot does not work properly over subnets that include multiple DHCP servers.
Some early versions of PXE firmware cannot boot the Solaris system. A system with these older versions can read the PXE network bootstrap program from a boot server, but the bootstrap does not transmit packets. To avoid this problem, upgrade the PXE firmware on the adapter. Obtain firmware upgrade information from the adapter manufacturer's web site. Refer to the elxl(7D) and iprb(7D) man pages for more information.

Booting With PXE (Task Map)

Perform the following tasks to boot and install your system over the network by using PXE.

Table I-1 x86: Task Map: Booting From the Network By Using PXE

Task	Description	Instructions
Verify that your system supports PXE.	Confirm that your machine can use PXE to boot without local boot media.	Check your hardware manufacturer's documentation.
Choose an installation method.	The Solaris operating environment provides several methods for installation or upgrade. Choose the installation method that is most appropriate for your environment.	Chapter 3, Choosing a Solaris Installation Method (Overview)
Gather information about your system.	Use the checklist and complete the worksheet to collect all of the information that you need to install or upgrade.	Chapter 6, Gathering Information Before Installation or Upgrade (Planning)
(Optional) Preconfigure system information.	You can preconfigure system information to avoid being prompted for the information during the installation or upgrade.	Chapter 7, Preconfiguring System Configuration Information (Tasks)
Create an install server.	Set up a Solaris server to install the Solaris operating environment from the network.	x86: Creating an x86 Install Server
Add systems to be installed over the network.	Use `add_install_client -d` to add DHCP support to install a class of client (of a certain machine type, for example) or a particular client ID.	x86: Adding Systems to Install Over the Network By Using PXE
Set up a DHCP server.	Plan for and configure your DHCP service.	"Planning for DHCP Service (Task)" in System Administration Guide: IP Services.
Create DHCP options for installation parameters and macros that include the options.	Use DHCP Manager or `dhtadm` to create the vendor options and macros that are output from the `add_install_client -d` command.	Creating DHCP Options and Macros for Solaris Installation Parameters
Boot the client.	Instruct the client BIOS to boot from the network.	x86: Booting the Client Over the Network By Using PXE

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