Installing the Server Operating System

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Installing the Server Operating System

Installing the Server Operating System

This chapter includes the following sections:

Operating System Installation Methods

E-Series Servers support several operating systems. Regardless of the operating system being installed, you can install it on your server using one of the following tools:

  • KVM console
  • PXE installation server
  • Internal repository installation

KVM Console

The KVM console is an interface accessible from CIMC that emulates a direct keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) connection to the server. The KVM console allows you to connect to the server from a remote location. Instead of using CD/DVD or floppy drives physically connected to the server, the KVM console uses virtual media, which are actual disk drives or disk image files that are mapped to virtual CD/DVD or floppy drives. You can map any of the following to a virtual drive:

  • CD/DVD or floppy drive on your computer
  • Disk image files (ISO or IMG files) on your computer
  • USB flash drive on your computer
You can use the KVM console to install an operating system on the server and to do the following:
  • Access the BIOS setup menu by pressing F2.
  • Access the CIMC Configuration Utility by pressing F8.
  • Access the WebBIOS to configure RAID, by pressing the Ctrl and H keys.

Installing an Operating System Using the KVM Console

Because the KVM console is operated only through the GUI, you cannot install a server operating system using the CLI. To install an operating system using the KVM console, follow the instructions in the "Installing an Operating System Using the KVM Console" section of the Cisco UCS E-Series Servers Integrated Management Controller GUI Configuration Guide.

PXE Installation Servers

A Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) installation server allows a client to boot and install an operating system from a remote location. To use this method, a PXE environment must be configured and available on your LAN, typically a dedicated provisioning LAN. Additionally, the server must be set to boot from the network. When the server boots, it sends a PXE request across the network. The PXE installation server acknowledges the request, and starts a sequence of events that installs the operating system on the server.

PXE servers can use installation disks, disk images, or scripts to install an operating system. Proprietary disk images can also be used to install an operating system, additional components, or applications.


Note

PXE installation is an efficient method for installing an operating system on a large number of servers. However, considering that this method requires setting up a PXE environment, it might be easier to use another installation method.

Installing an Operating System Using a PXE Installation Server

Before You Begin
  • Verify that the server can be reached over a VLAN.
Procedure
    Step 1   Set the boot order to PXE.
    Step 2   Reboot the server.

    If a PXE install server is available on the VLAN, the installation process begins when the server reboots. PXE installations are typically automated and require no additional user input. Refer to the installation guide for the operating system being installed to guide you through the rest of the installation process.

    What to Do Next

    After the operating system installation is complete, reset the LAN boot order to its original setting.

    Host Image Mapping

    The Host Image Mapping feature allows you to download, map, unmap, or delete a host image. Download a host image, such as a Microsoft Windows, Linux, or VMware from a remote FTP, SFTP, HTTP, or HTTPS server onto an SD card, then map the image onto the virtual drive of a USB controller in the E-Series Server. After you map the image, set the boot order to make the virtual drive, in which the image is mounted, as the first boot device, and then reboot the server. The host image must have .iso as the file extension.

    The Host Image Mapping feature also allows you to download and mount a diagnostics image. The diagnostics image must have .diag as the file extension.

    Mapping the Host Image

    Before You Begin
    • Log into CIMC as a user with admin privileges.
    • Obtain the host image file from the appropriate third-party.

    Note

    If you start an image update while an update is already in process, both updates will fail.
    Procedure
        Command or Action Purpose
      Step 1 Server# scope host-image-mapping  

      Enters the host image mapping command mode.

       
      Step 2 Server /host-image-mapping # download-image {ftp | sftp | http | https} server-ip-address path / filename [username username password password]  

      Downloads the image from the specified remote server onto the SD card. The host image must have .iso as the file extension. The remote server can be a FTP, SFTP, HTTP, or HTTPS server. If the remote server requires user authentication, you must add the username and password of the remote server.

      Note   

      If the image file exceeds the flash SD card size limit, an error message is displayed.
       
      Step 3 (Optional) Server /host-image-mapping # show detail  

      Displays the status of the host image download.

       
      Step 4 Server /host-image-mapping # map-image  

      Mounts the image on a virtual drive of the USB controller. The virtual drive can be one of the following:

      • HDD—Hard disk drive
      • FDD—Floppy disk drive
      • CDROM—Bootable CD-ROM
       
      Step 5 (Optional) Server /host-image-mapping # show detail  

      Displays the status of the host image mapping.

       

      This example maps the host image:

      Server# scope host-image-mapping 
Server /host-image-mapping # download-image ftp 10.20.34.56 pub/hostimage.iso
---
Server /host-image-mapping # show detail
Host Image Info:
  Name: HostImage.iso
  Size: 6626848
  Last Modified Time: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:13:27 GMT
  Host Image Status: Download Successful!!
Server /host-image-mapping # map-image
---
status: ok
---
Server /host-image-mapping # show detail
Host Image Info:
  Name: HostImage.iso
  Size: 6626848
  Last Modified Time: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:13:27 GMT
  Host Image Status: Image mapped successfully!!
      What to Do Next

      Do the following:

      1. Set the boot order to make the virtual drive in which the image is installed as the first boot device. See Configuring the Server Boot Order.
      2. Reboot the server. If the image contains an answer file, the operating system installation is automated and the image is installed. Otherwise, the installation wizard displays. Follow the wizard steps to install the image.
      3. If disk drives are not displayed after you install the operating system, you must install drivers.
      4. After the operating system installation is complete, reset the virtual media boot order to its original setting.

      Unmapping the Host Image

      Before You Begin

      Log into CIMC as a user with admin privileges.

      Procedure
          Command or Action Purpose
        Step 1 Server# scope host-image-mapping  

        Enters the host image mapping command mode.

         
        Step 2 Server /host-image-mapping # unmap-image  

        Unmounts the image from the virtual drive of the USB controller.

         
        Step 3 (Optional) Server /host-image-mapping # show detail  

        Displays the status of the host image unmapping.

         

        This example unmaps the host image:

        Server# scope host-image-mapping
Server /host-image-mapping # unmap-image
Server /host-image-mapping # show detail
Host Image Info:
  Name: HostImage.iso
  Size: 6626848
  Last Modified Time: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:13:27 GMT
  Host Image Status: Image unmapped successfully!!

        Deleting the Host Image

        Before You Begin

        Log into CIMC as a user with admin privileges.

        Procedure
            Command or Action Purpose
          Step 1 Server# scope host-image-mapping  

          Enters the host image mapping command mode.

           
          Step 2 Server /host-image-mapping # delete-image  

          Removes the image from the SD card.

           

          This example deletes the host image:

          Server# scope host-image-mapping
Server /host-image-mapping # delete-image

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