> Solaris™ 10 How To Guides

HOW TO QUICKLY INSTALL

THE SOLARIS™ 10 1/06 OPERATING SYSTEM
on x64/x86 Systems

Angel Camacho, Solaris Marketing

About This Solaris How To Guide
This How to Guide instructs users unfamiliar with Solaris 10 installation on how to install the Solaris 10 OS on a Sun
supported x64 or x86 system. This step-by-step guide, complete with screen shots, takes users through the
installation process, in 25 simple steps. Novice users should be able to complete a Solaris 10 1/06 Operating System
installation on a standalone x64 or x86 system using the instructions in this guide.

Contributors: Chris Baker, Carol Manning, Fred Rehhausser, Neha Sampat, Paul Steeves

Contents
Installation Assumptions Page 1 > 1

Check the Hardware

Compatibility List Page 1 > 1

Basic System Requirements Page 1 > 1

Obtaining Media for the x64

or x86 Platform Page 1 > 1

Power Up and Media Boot Page 2 > 2

Installing the Solaris™ 10

1/06 Operating System Page 2 > 16
Identifying the Console Page 2
Selecting the Type of Installation Page 3
System Configuration Page 4
Solaris Installation Page 11

For More Information Page 17 > 17

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Installation Assumptions
This guide makes several assumptions, including:
• The system is an x64 or x86 system.
• The system is compatible with the Solaris 10 OS and is listed on the Solaris Hardware Compatibility List (HCL).
• The system has a graphical interface.
While this guide is most appropriate for a stand-alone system that does not have a network connection, it can also be used
as a step-by-step installation procedure for networked systems—systems with an IP address that are connected to a
network infrastructure—assuming network configuration information is available.

If problems arise during the installation process that are not discussed in this guide, refer to the Solaris 10 OS Installation
Guide: Basic Installations for more information. This guide is part of the Solaris 10 Release and Installation Collection
located on the Sun Web site at http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/coll/1236/.

Check the Hardware Compatibility List

The first step in the installation process is verifying the system on which the OS is to be installed is on the hardware
compatibility list located at http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/hcl/. (Note: The term “x86” refers to the “family” of 32-bit
x86-compatible architecture and 64-bit AMD64 and Intel EM64T. However, the term x64 refers to systems that use 64-bit
x86 processors. The Solaris 10 OS runs on many systems designated as x86 or x64).

Basic System Requirements

Verify the computer system meets the following requirements. Note the requirements below are recommended
minimums. While it is possible to install the Solaris OS on a system with less disk capacity and CPU speed, it is not
recommended.
• Minimum 256 MB of physical RAM
• Minimum 5 GB of available hard drive space
• Minimum 400 MHz CPU speed
• DVD or CD-ROM drive
• Attached monitor or integrated display
For more information on Solaris System requirements, visit http://www.sun.com/solaris/specs.jsp. For a detailed list of
3rd-party applications available on Solaris 10, visit http://www.sun.com/partners/10moves/solutions.html.

Obtaining Media for the x64 or x86 Platform

The Solaris 10 OS 1/06 release is available via download from the Sun Web site.
1. Go to http://www.sun.com/solaris/ to obtain information about the Solaris 10 OS.
2. Go to http://www.sun.com/solaris/get.jsp to begin the download process.
3. Choose Solaris 10 on the list of available downloads.
4. Click on the appropriate media format (Solaris for x64/x86 systems).
5. Register at the Sun Download Center, if you have not already done so.
6. Answer the short questionnaire.
7. Read and accept the license agreement.
8. Download and burn the CDs or DVDs.

See the Solaris 10 Self Help FAQs located at http://www.sun.com/solaris/self_help.jsp for additional guidance, instruction,
and tips on downloading the Solaris 10 OS or burning installation CD and DVD media.
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Power Up and Media Boot

The following procedure can be used whether another operating system is already running on the system, or for
installation on a new system.
1. Power up the system and insert the first installation CD or DVD into the drive tray.
2. Restart the system.
3. If the system appears to be booting from the hard disk, and the Solaris OS installer does not start, power cycle the
system (power cycle is shutting the power on the system and then restarting the system). As the system begins to
boot, enter setup mode. Typically, the system displays a message indicating which key (such as "Enter F2 to enter
setup"). The key to press varies by manufacturer; the ESC and F12 keys are other common options. If you miss the
message, simply restart the system a couple of times until you are able to view it.
4. Once in setup mode, specify the boot device for the system. This example specifies the CD or DVD drive as the boot
device. To do so, find the list that describes boot order and re-order as needed to ensure the CD or DVD drive appears
first on the list. The system should then boot from the CD or DVD drive to start the install process, displaying a
message resembling the one below:

Loading stage 2....

GNU GRUB version 0.95 (xxK lower /

xxK upper memory)

Installing the Solaris 10 1/06 Operating System

The Solaris 10 1/06 Operating System install and boot process is based on the GNU GRUB loader. Therefore, the messages
displayed throughout this process are unique to the GRUB loader and are different than in prior Solaris installations.

Identifying the Console

The next step in the installation process is to select the type of console for the hardware version on which the Solaris OS is
being installed. Use the arrow keys to select the version of the Solaris OS that matches the hardware configuration. For
most x64 and x86 systems, this is the default selection.

[Two serial console options are available in the event a headless rack-mounted system is in use and a serial port is needed
as an interface to a serial console. For older x64 and x86 systems, such as the Sun Fire™ LX50, Sun Fire™ V60x, or Sun Fire™
V65x servers, select Solaris Serial Console ttyb.]

Edit functions include using the arrow key to select or highlight an entry, the e key to edit a command, or the c key for a
command line. Pressing the Enter key, boot the version of operating system selected. The highlighted entry boots in 60
seconds even if a key is not pressed. Note that prompts do not appear during the boot process. If a selection is not made,
the screen times out and the system automatically boots the Solaris OS.

Solaris
Solaris Serial Console ttya (headless and rack-mounted systems only)
Solaris Serial Console ttyb (for1x50, v60x and v65x)
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Selecting the Type of Installation

After the enter key is pressed, the following message is displayed:

Booting ‘Solaris’
kernel /boot/multiboot kernel/unix -B install_media=cdrom
[Multiboot-elf...

Once the first modules are loaded, six installation options are presented. Select an option, using the arrow keys or space
bar as appropriate, or let the counter time out to automatically select the default installation method.

SunOS Release 5.10 Version Generic_Patch 32-bit

Copyright 1983-2005 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Use is subject to license terms.
Configuring devices.

1. Solaris Interactive (default)

2. Custom JumpStart
3. Solaris Interactive Text (Desktop session)
4. Solaris Interactive Text (console session)
5. Apply driver updates
6. Single user shell
Automatically continuing in xx seconds

(timeout)

When the first option is selected, or the counter times out, the following output is displayed. Keep in mind that the
hardware information displayed, such as "bge0", may differ from the exact data displayed below and that each step can
take up to a couple of minutes to complete.

Solaris Interactive

Using install cd in /dev/dsk/c1t0d0p0

Using RPC Bootparams for network configuration information.
Attempting to configure interface bge0...
Skipped interface bge0...
Beginning system identification...
Searching for configuration files(s)...
Search complete.

Proposed Window System Configuration for Installation:

Video Devices: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Video Drivers: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Resolution/Colors: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Screen Size: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Monitor Type: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Keyboard Type: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Pointing Device: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Press <ENTER> to accept proposed configuration

or <ESC> to change proposed configuration
or <SPACE> to pause

<<< timeout in 30 seconds>>>

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When the system times out or the ENTER key is pressed, the system switches to graphics mode and continues with the
next section of the installation unless the ESC key is pressed. If the ESC key is pressed, a text-based screen is presented for
changing the hardware selection and other options. Once the configuration is tested successfully the screen returns to the
graphic installation.

System Configuration
A series of screens guide you through the Solaris OS configuration process.
NOTE: The graphical screens require a mouse to be rolled over the window in order to answer questions posed throughout
the configuration process.

1. If the counter times out, or the ESC key is pressed instead of the ENTER key, a series of messages about the Solaris
installation program is displayed. Navigate through them. When options are posed, use the the arrow keys to
highlight the desired choice, and press the F2 key to make selections. For advanced configurations, refer to the
Solaris Installation Guide available at http://docs.sun.com/.
2. Select a language for the system.

Select Language

0. English
1. French
2. German
3. Italian
4. Japanese
5. Korean
6. Simplified Chinese
7. Spanish
8. Swedish
9. Traditional Chinese

Please make a choice (0-9), or press h or ? for help:

3. A new window, the Solaris Install Console, appears in the bottom right corner. This window is used to display
pertinent installation messages. Another window appears in which the Solaris OS installation questions should be
answered.

4. The welcome screen appears. Click Next> to continue the installation process. Keep in mind the installation
program checks the configuration entered. If the configuration information supplied is incorrect, the system will ask
for the correct information to be re-entered on the appropriate screens.
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5. The Network Connectivity screen appears. (NOTE: If your system is a stand-alone system, you should skip to
step 17 set system time and date.) Otherwise, if the system is attached to a home broadband connection,
most of the default options will be correct. Simply select the Networked option and DHCP Server on the next
screens and follow the remainder of this guide. If the system is attached to an office LAN, ask the system
administrator if a DHCP server can be used. If so, select the Networked option and DHCP Server from the
next screen, and follow the remainder of this guide.

However, if a DHCP server cannot be used, obtain the following information before proceeding.
• Host name for the system
• IP address
• Netmask
• Default router
• Whether or not the system should be Kerberos enabled
• Name service, such as NIS, NIS+
In a couple steps, the DHCP configuration screen will appear. At that time, remember to select No when
prompted about the use of a DHCP server.
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6. Click on the Networked button, followed by the Next button.

7. The DHCP configuration screen appears. If you plan to use a DHCP server, select Yes, click Next> and proceed to
step 11. If a DHCP server cannot be used, select No, click Next> and proceed to step 8.

8. Enter a hostname for the system and click Next>. This example uses the hostname cancun.

Hostname for bge0

Enter a hostname which...
Host Name for bge0:
cancun

<Back Next>

9. Enter the IP address for the system. The IP address 192.168.1.1 is used in this example.

IP Address for bge0

Enter Internet Protocol (IP)...
IP Address for bge0:
192.168.1.1

<Back Next>

10. Enter the netmask. In this example the netmask 255.255.255.0 is used.

Netmask bge0
On this screen you must...
Netmask bge0:
255.255.255.0

<Back Next>
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11. Disable IPv6 for the network interface by selecting No and clicking Next>.

IPv6 for bge0

Specify whether or not you want
to enable IPv6...
Enable IPv6 for bge0:
0 Yes
0 No

<Back Next>

12. a. If network information is not being entered manually, proceed to step 13.
b. If network information is being entered manually, the following step appears.
Configure the system to automatically detect a default router. Select Detect one and click Next>.

Set the Default router for bge0

The default router provides a
bridge...
0 Detect one
0 Specify one
0 None

<Back Next>

13. Next, indicate that Kerberos should NOT be used as the network authentication protocol. Select No and click Next>.
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14. Next, indicate that naming services should not be configured. Select None and click Next>.

15. Next, set the time zone for the system. This example sets the time zone by specifying the geographic region. Select
Geographic and click Next>.
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16. Next, select the continent and country. Detailed information on the exact location is requested. For example,
selecting Americas results in a screen that lists all time zones in the Americas. Select the appropriate time zone
and click Next>.

17. Next, set the date and time and click Next>. A date and time is automatically displayed. If correct, click Next>. If
adjustments are needed, make corrections in the text boxes and click Next>.
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18. Set the root password. Note the password typed remains invisible. Re-enter the password in the second box and click
Next>.

19. Finally, a summary of the configuration information provided is presented. Verify all the information is correct and
click Confirm>. Remember that different information appears if network information is entered manually or if a
DHCP server is used.

Confirm Information
Selection Information
Hostname: cancun
IP Address: 192.168.1.1
Sysstem part of a subnet: Yes
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Enable IPv6: No
Dafault Route: Autodetect Default
Name Service: None
Enable Kerberos: No
Timezone: US/Pacific

<Back Confirm>
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Solaris Installation
At this point, you will see a window with the Solaris logo. Simply click Next> to begin the installation process. Note the
system displays information on the Solaris Install Console.

1. First, set the installer options. Specify the system should reboot automatically at the end of the installation process,
and the CD or DVD should be ejected. Select Yes for both options and click Next>.

2. A pop-up window appears. Click on OK and continue.

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3. Next, specify the media from which to perform the installation. Select CD/DVD and click Next>.

4. The system begins the installation process for the first time. This process takes a few seconds.
5. When displayed, read the license agreement. If the terms of the agreement are acceptable, click on Accept and
Next> to continue the installation process.

6. Next, select Initial Install and click Next>.

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7. Next, select Custom Install and click Next>.

8. If you prefer to install using all of the default options, proceed to the section entitled Ready to Install, step 18 of this
guide. Otherwise, continue with steps nine through 17 below.
9. Next, localize the software, if desired. Click on the > character to expand a geographic region. Select the appropriate
localization(s). Click Next> to continue. Keep in mind the Languages CD is required to install the localization. The
following example localizes the system for Spanish.

Select Software Localizations

Select the geographic regions...
> Northern Africa
> Eastern Europe
> Southern Europe
...

<Back Next> Exit>

10. Select the appropriate locale, then click Next>.

Select System Locale

Select the initial locale to
be used...
North America
0 Spanish (Mexico, ISO...
POSIX
0 English (POSIX...

<Back Next> Exit>

11. Next, select the software products needed and click Next>. Remember the distribution CDs or DVDs containing the
software are required to carry out the installation.
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Select Products
Select the products you would...
> Solaris 10 Extra Value Software
> Solaris 10 Documentation
> Java Enterprise System
> Solaris Software Companion CD

<Back Next> Exit>

12. Next, select any additional software needed and click Next>. Remember the distribution CDs or DVDs containing the
software are required to carry out the installation.

Additional Products
To scan for additional...
Web Start Ready products scan
location
0 None
0 CD/DVD
0 Local or Network File System
<Back Next> Exit>

13. Group selection depends on how the system is to be used. This example installs the Entire Group (the default option),
and does not customize it. Select the Entire Group option and click Next>.

Select Solaris Software Group

Select a Solaris software group to install:
Solaris Software Default Custom Size(MB)
Entire Group Plus OEM 0 0 3438.7
Entire Group 0 0 3438.7
Developer Group 0 0 3331.5
End User Group 0 0 2482.3
Core Group 0 0 363.3
Reduced Networking Group 0 0 339.5

<Back Next> Exit>

14. Select the boot disk. If the system contains more than one disk, select a disk from the list on the left hand side of the
screen and click Next>.

Disk Selection
Select which disk you want...
Available Selected Disk
Add>>
<<Remove

<Back Next> Exit>

15. Select disk for custom partitioning, if desired. The disks listed are those selected in the previous step. If it is
important to have multiple partitions on a single disk, select the disk to modify. Partitioning can be useful if there is
a need to keep the operating system separated from user files. This example assumes the disk is either already
partitioned in an appropriate way, or that the entire disk can be used for the Solaris OS. Click Next> to continue.
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Select Disks for fdisk Partition

Customization
On the next panel(s), you can...
Please select the disk(s) to
customize...
0 c0d0

<Back Next> Exit>

16. If an existing file system needs to be preserved, select Yes in the next window. Otherwise, select No. Click Next>
to continue.

Preserve Data
At least one of the disks...
0 Yes
0 No

<Back Next> Exit>

17. The default file system layout is usually appropriate for most systems. Slight modifications, such as adding swap
space and removing the /export/home directory, can be useful. If modifications to the file system layout are needed,
select modify. A new window appears. Change the values as needed. The example that follows removes the
/export/home directory, adjusts the swap size to 2048 MB, and adds the remaining space to the root directory. This
results in the following file system layout. Click OK. The changes are reflected in the previous window. Click Next>
to continue. Note that customizing the configuration may result in a different message.

Disk c0d0
Slice File System Size
0 / 36101
1 swap 2048

[OK] [Apply] [Reset] [Cancel]

18. Verify the information and click Install Now.

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19. Verify the information and click Install Now. An installation progress bar appears. After a few minutes the bar
reaches 100 percent. The system asks if it should Pause or Reboot. Be sure the system reboots from the internal hard
disk. Note that some systems pull in the CD/DVD tray upon reboot. If this happens, simply remove the CD or DVD
from the tray and reboot the system.

20. As the system starts to reboot, open the CD/DVD tray and remove the CD/DVD. This ensures the system boots from
the internal hard disk. Failure to do so causes the installation process to restart.
21. The GNU GRUB screen appears. Highlight the Solaris option and press the enter key. The system reboots.
22. The first time the system boots, a question is displayed in text mode on-screen asking if the NFS protocol should be
overridden. Accept the default (No) and let the boot process continue.
23. If an install is being performed from CD, the system presents an install screen stating the installer is ready to launch.
Click on the install button. The screen changes to a blue pattern as the installer is launched. Once the installer is up
and running, a Solaris screen appears asking if the next CD should be installed. Click on the install button. If a blank
screen appears during the installation process, a monitor timeout has likely occurred. Move the mouse to restore the
screen.
24. The process is repeated for all remaining CDs. A final reboot is required after the last CD is installed.
25. The Solaris 10 1/06 Operating System is now installed on the system.
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For More Information

For more information regarding the Solaris 10 OS, visit sun.com/solaris.

Manuals

Sun Documentation http://docs.sun.com/

Big Admin System Administration Portal http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/
Sun BluePrints Articles

Configuring JumpStart Servers to Provision Sun x64/x86 Systems http://www.sun.com/blueprints/0205/819-1692.pdf

Performing Network Installations Without a Local Boot Server http://www.sun.com/blueprints/0504/817-7288.pdf
Configuring Multiboot Environments on Sun x64 Systems with http://www.sun.com/blueprints/0905/819-2889.pdf
AMD Processors
Related Web Sites

Solaris Laptop List (x86) http://www.bolthole.com/solaris/x86-laptops.html

Solaris Hardware Compatibility List http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/hcl
Solaris 10 System Requirements http://www.sun.com/solaris/specs
Solaris 10 1/06 OS Features Comparison Chart http://www.sun.com/solaris/newfeatures
Next Steps to Solaris 10 Adoption

Get hands on experience with Solaris 10 using http://www.sun.com/solaris/teachme

"Solaris 10 How To Guides"
Get trained on Solaris 10—free! http://www.sun.com/solaris/freetraining
Count on Sun's full enterprise support—whenever you're ready. http://www.sun.com/solaris/get_support
Get a support contract.
Participate in the OpenSolaris community http://www.opensolaris.org
sun.com/solaris
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©2005 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Solaris, and Sun Fire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.