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Guide to Installing a Linux Distribution: Methods, Process, and Best Practices

Installing a Linux distribution requires a comprehensive understanding of operating systems and hardware compatibility. This guide covers various installation methods such as bootable media, network installations, and live CDs. It discusses essential steps including determining user needs, partitioning hard drives, and utilizing tools like Anaconda for installation. Key concepts such as PXE booting, logical volume management, and partitioning types are also explained, providing a solid foundation for anyone looking to set up a Linux operating system.

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Guide to Installing a Linux Distribution: Methods, Process, and Best Practices

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  1. Installing a Linux Distribution

  2. Operating System Installation • Before a computer can be used, and Operating system should be present • Operating system allows a user to interact with an utilize a system’s resources • An OS is a compilation of many programs • Operating System is normally local to a device. Exceptions always exist • Terminal servers • Live CDs • Boot Discs • Different Methods for OS installation exist

  3. Install methods • Bootable CD/DVD • Over the Network • PXEBoot • Kickstarting vs Interactive mode • Imaging • “Live” CDs and DVDs

  4. Selecting a Distro • Determine • The type of user, user’s experience level • The purpose of the machine • What sort of hardware the machine has • What sort of software you will use • Selection “Tools” • http://www.tuxs.org/chooser/ • http://polishlinux.org/choose/quiz/ • http://distrowatch.com/

  5. PXE boot process • Required components • Hardware supporting PXEboot • DHCP server (for address assignment) • TFTP server (for transferring initial boot files, one block at a time via UDP) • Process • Get IP address, boot loader info from DHCP • Get boot loader (pxelinux.0), read config file(s) • Get kernel image and ram disk image • Start Installaller

  6. Our Environment • The network cards in the Dells in our lab don’t support PXEBoot • Boot from a CentOS boot disc, start networking • Connect to file server via http for access to install files

  7. Anaconda • RedHat/Fedora installer • Can Be run in both Text and Graphical modes • Additional consoles • No X: Alt + Function key • Within X: Alt + Ctrl + Function key • Can be used to troubleshoot installation

  8. Anaconda Process Users will typically see • Media check • install language • Keyboard config • Install type • Disk partitioning • Boot loader configuration • Network configuration • Firewall and security configuration • System language • Time zone • Root password • Package customization (and minimal / everything)

  9. Disk Partitioning • Dividing a single hard drive into multiple logical drives • Reasons for partitioning • Isolating data (protect from corruption) • Limiting data growth, protecting important partitions • Partition types • Primary partitions (4 max) • Logical partitions • Swap partitions • Foreign volumes

  10. Common Partitions Physical disks (a.k.a device names) /dev/hda, /dev/hdb /dev/sda Partition names /dev/hda1, /dev/hda2 /dev/sda1 Logical partition names (a.k.a filesystems) / where everything goes /boot where boot files go swap your virtual memory

  11. Logical Volume Management (LVM) • Higher level view – more abstraction • Gives sysadmins more flexibility in allocating storage • Resize partitions, extend partitions to new physical disks • Software RAID configurations • Terminology: “Volume Groups” contain “Logical Volumes” • No Bootloaders!

  12. Logical Volume Management

  13. Homework • Look at http://tldp.org • Check out HOW-TOs: • Partitioning • Logical Volume Management

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