sun.com   |  docs.sun.com
How To Buy  |   My Sun  |   Worldwide Sites
        
 
Sun Microsystems Logo
 Products & Services
 		 Support & Training
 
 
Solaris 9 4/04 Installation Guide >> 20.  Solaris Flash (Overview and Planning) >> Planning Your Solaris Flash Installation >> Planning the Creation of a Solaris Flash Archive 

Previous Previous     Contents     Index     Next Next

Solaris Flash Archive Sections

Solaris Flash archives contain the following sections. Some sections can be used by you to identify and customize the archive and view status information on the installation. For a further description of each section, see Chapter 23, Solaris Flash (Reference).

Table 20-1 Flash Archive Sections

Section Name

Informational Only

Description

Archive cookie

X

The first section contains a cookie that identifies the file as a Solaris Flash archive.

Archive identification

 

The second section contains keywords with values that provide identification information about the archive. Some identification information is supplied by the archive software. Other specific identification information can be added by you by using options to the flar create command.

User-defined

 

This section follows the identification section. You can define and insert these sections to customize the archive. The Solaris Flash archive does not process any sections that you insert. For example, a section could contain a description of the archive or perhaps a script to check the integrity of an application.

Manifest

X

This section is produced for a Solaris Flash differential archive and used for validating a clone system. The manifest section lists the files on a system to be retained, added to, or deleted from the clone system. This section is informational only, lists the files in an internal format, and cannot be used for scripting.

Predeployment, Postdeployment, Reboot

X

This section contains internal information that the flash software uses before and after installing an operating environment image. Any scripts that you have provided are included in this section.

Summary

 

This section contains messages about the archive creation. The section also records the activities of predeployment and postdeployment scripts. You can view the success of the installation in this section by writing a script to send output to this section.

Archive files

X

The archive files section contains the files that have been gathered from the master system.

When to Create the Archive for an Initial Installation

Create the archive when the system is in as static a state as possible.

Create the archive after software is installed on the master system and before software is configured. For example, Solaris Volume Manager stores metainformation outside the file system. If you have an encapsulated and mirrored boot disk, the creation of the archive is not possible. Because archive creation does not access the metainformation outside the file system, the archive must be created before configuration.

Where to Store the Solaris Flash Archive

After you create the Solaris Flash archive, you can save the archive on the hard disk of the master system or on a tape. After you save the archive, you can copy it to any file system or media that you choose.

  • Network File System (NFS) server

  • HTTP or HTTPS server

  • FTP server

  • Tape

  • CD, DVD

  • Diskette

  • Local drive of clone system that you want to install

Compressing the Archive

When you create the Solaris Flash archive, you can specify that the archive be saved as a compressed file by using the compress(1) utility. An archive that is compressed requires less disk storage space and creates less congestion when you install the archive over a network.

Planning the Installation of Solaris Flash Archives

The final task in the Solaris Flash installation process is to install Solaris Flash archives on clone systems.

You can use any of the Solaris installation methods to install Solaris Flash archives on clone systems.

The Solaris Web Start program on the Solaris DVD or Solaris Installation CD enables you to install Solaris Flash archives that are stored on the following:

  • Disc (DVD or CD)

  • NFS server

  • HTTP server

  • FTP server

  • Local tape

For installation instructions, see SPARC: Performing an Installation or Upgrade With the Solaris Web Start Program or x86: Performing an Installation or Upgrade With the Solaris Web Start Program.

The Solaris suninstall program on the Solaris Software 1 of 2 CD enables you to install Solaris Flash archives that are stored on the following:

  • NFS server

  • HTTP server

  • FTP server

  • Local file

  • Local tape

  • Local device, including CD

For installation instructions, see SPARC: Performing an Installation or Upgrade With the Solaris suninstall Program or x86: Performing an Installation or Upgrade With the Solaris suninstall Program.

The custom JumpStart installation program enables you to install Solaris Flash archives that are stored on the following:

  • NFS server

  • HTTP or HTTPS server

  • FTP server

  • Local tape

  • Local device, including DVD or CD

  • Local file

For installation instructions, see To Prepare to Install a Solaris Flash Archive With a Custom JumpStart Installation.

Solaris Live Upgrade enables you to install Solaris Flash archives that are stored on the following:

  • HTTP server

  • FTP server

  • NFS server

  • Local file

  • Local tape

  • Local device, including DVD or CD

Previous Previous     Contents     Index     Next Next
 
Copyright 1994-2004 Sun Microsystems