Chapter 1. Steps to Get You Started
The installation process assumes basic familarity with the IBM S/390 platform and makes reference to the IBM Linux for S/390 Redbook (SG24-4987-00 and SG24-6264-00) guide (see http://www.redbooks.ibm.com for more information). In general, this section assumes that you have reviewed the Redbook and are familiar with setting up logical partitions (LPARs) and virtual machines (VMs) on an S/390 system.
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For the most current IBM resources, please visit http://www.ibm.com/eserver/zseries. |
Before you install Red Hat Linux, you will need to perform the following steps:
Allocate DASD[1] partitions (2 recommended of at least 2 GB each).
Acquire a minimum of 64 MB RAM (128 MB is strongly recommended) to designate for the Linux virtual machine.
Determine if you need swap space and if so how much. While it is possible (and recommended) to assign enough memory to the VM and let the VM do the necessary swapping, there may be cases where the amount of required RAM is not predictable. In cases such as this, the amount of swap dedicated should be equal to two times the amount of RAM.
Decide what environment under which the Red Hat Linux operating system will run (on an LPAR or as a guest operating system on one or more virtual machines).
Finally, it is important to review sections 3.3 through 3.8 and Chapters 5 and 6 of the IBM Linux for S/390 Redbook, as it explains the different configurations and install scenarios available on the S/390 platform as well as how to setup an initial LPAR or Linux virtual machine (VM).
Do You Have the Right Red Hat Linux Components?
If you have purchased the Official Red Hat Linux boxed set, you are ready to go. However, mistakes occasionally happen, so now is a good time to double-check the contents of your boxed set.
A black, red, and white Registration Information card is included in your boxed set. A list of the contents of your boxed set version is on the back of the card. Please read over the list and check to make sure that you have all the CDs and manuals that are included with the version of Red Hat Linux that you purchased.
If you have purchased the Official Red Hat Linux boxed set from Red Hat, Inc. (or one of its distributors), and you are missing one or more of the items listed, please let us know. Contact information is also available on the box as well as on the Registration Information card.
How to identify our official boxed set: The bottom of our box has an ISBN number next to one of the bar codes. That ISBN number should be in this form:
1-58569-x-y |
(The x and y will be unique numbers.)
Red Hat partners with companies (international and domestic) so that we can make Red Hat Linux available to you in the most convenient form. Because of these partnerships, you might find that your Red Hat Linux boxed set may not have been actually produced by Red Hat.
Red Hat provides support for only official Red Hat Linux products. If your box has a different ISBN number (or none at all), you will need to contact the company that produced your boxed set. Normally, third-party producers will include their logo and/or contact information on the outside of their box; an official Red Hat Linux boxed set lists only our name and contact information.
Where to Find Other Red Hat Linux Manuals
If your particular boxed set did not include all of the printed Red Hat Linux manuals, you can find them online or on the Red Hat Linux Documentation CD included with your official Red Hat Linux boxed set.
To find the manuals in both HTML and PDF formats online, go to http://www.redhat.com/docs.
Registering Your Red Hat Linux Boxed Set
If you have purchased an Official Red Hat Linux 7.2 boxed set, you should register your product. Registration offers many useful services, such as installation support, access to Red Hat Network, and more.
To register your product, go to http://www.redhat.com/apps/activate/. You will find your Product ID on the Registration Information card in your Official Red Hat Linux boxed set. Once registered, you will have access to all the extras that Red Hat provides to its registered users.
For more information on registering and the scope of Red Hat's technical support offerings, see Appendix C.