| Test Objectives Covered: Identify prerequisite requirements. Prepare your existing network. Prepare your designated computer.
Variety is the spice of life! NetWare 6 can be installed in a variety of ways using a plethora of different installation, upgrade, and migration methods. In this chapter, we will focus on the NetWare 6 installation method. (You can explore NetWare 6 upgrade and migration in Chapter 2.) The NetWare 6 installation process allows you to install NetWare 6 on a standalone server, a new server on an existing network, or the first server in a new network. This method installs NetWare 6 from scratch. In other words, the installation program assumes that the computer to be used as a server does not contain any programs or data that must be retained. Before you begin the NetWare 6 installation process, you'll need to perform a variety of preliminary tasks, including identifying (and satisfying) any prerequisite requirements, updating your existing network (if applicable), and preparing the computer to be used as a server. In this section, we will cover these preinstallation tasks: It always pays to be prepared! TIP When performing the lab exercises in this guide, it is imperative that you use a nonproduction server (that is, a practice server) in an isolated eDirectory tree. You should use nonproduction workstations as well. Remember, we are here to help improve your life, not to make it more difficult!
Hardware and Software Requirements Before you install NetWare 6, you should ensure that minimum hardware, software, and configuration requirements have been met (or exceeded). A detailed discussion of each of these NetWare 6 installation requirements follows. Hardware Requirements The minimum hardware requirements for a NetWare 6 server are listed below. Keep in mind that these are just minimum requirements the recommended values are considerably higher (as shown in parentheses): A server-class PC with a Pentium II or later processor (two or more Pentium III 700MHz (or later) processors are recommended for multiple processor machines. In fact, NetWare 6 supports up to 32 processors. Wow!) A Super VGA or higher-resolution display adapter 256MB of RAM (512MB recommended) A DOS partition of at least 200MB and 200MB available space (1GB recommended) TIP A quick method for calculating the appropriate size of the DOS partition is to add the total amount of server RAM to the minimum amount of disk space required. Because 200MB is the minimum amount of available disk space required, a server with 2048MB of RAM theoretically has an optimum DOS partition size of 2248MB (2048MB + 200MB = 2248MB). By using this strategy, you will be able to do a core dump to the disk drive if required for troubleshooting purposes.
2GB available space outside the DOS partition for the SYS: volume (4GB recommended) One (or more) network boards A CD drive (Optional) A USB, PS/2, or serial mouse (a mouse is recommended)
REAL WORLD Although NetWare 6 will run if the minimum requirements have been met, you should ensure that your system meets or exceeds the recommended requirements for optimum performance. For example, when determining your system requirements, you will want to ensure that your server has sufficient RAM and hard disk space for any additional Novell products and services you want to install, as well as for any third-party applications, documentation, and the file system. You will also want to ensure that your server has sufficient processor speed to provide the level of server performance required by your organization. Finally, don't forget other hardware that might be required such as routers, hubs, cabling, uninterruptible power supplies, and the like. |
Software Requirements The minimum software requirements for NetWare 6 include some or all of the following, depending on your network configuration: A NetWare 6 Operating System CD A NetWare 6 License/Cryptography disk (Conditional) DOS 3.3 or later (if the server does not boot from CD) (Conditional) DOS CD drivers (if the server does not boot from CD) (Conditional) Client connection utilities (optional; for installing from a network): (Conditional) Novell Client for DOS and Windows 3.1x (optional; for installing from a NetWare server running Internetwork Packet eXchange (IPX)) (Conditional) IP Server Connection utility (optional; for installing from a NetWare server running Internet Protocol (IP) only)
Configuration Requirements The minimum configuration requirements for NetWare 6 include one or all of the following, depending on your network configuration: The Supervisor right at the [Root] of the eDirectory tree The Supervisor right to the container where the server will be installed The Read right to the Security container object for the eDirectory tree Network configuration parameters required for connecting to the Internet: Network board and storage device properties (such as interrupt and port address, if not automatically detected by NetWare)
TIP For IP addresses and domain names, contact your system administrator and/or Internet Service Provider (ISP). For network board and storage device information, contact the hardware manufacturer. Finally, there are nifty tools available for gathering this network configuration data yourself. Check them out in Novell's CNE Study Guide for NetWare 5.1.
After all hardware, software, and configuration requirements have been met, you're just about ready to roll. But first, you must prepare your network for NetWare 6. In the next two sections, you will learn how to prepare both your network and your server for the wonders of NetWare 6. Network Preparation In this chapter, we will focus on installing NetWare 6 on a new server in a new eDirectory tree. If you instead install NetWare 6 on a new server that will be integrated into an existing NDS tree, you must first update eDirectory using the NetWare Deployment Manager utility (included with NetWare 6). Below is a summary of the tasks required to prepare your network for NetWare 6 using NetWare Deployment Manager. For more details, refer to Chapter 2. Log into your existing network from a Windows 95/98 or Windows NT/2000 workstation as a user with the Supervisor right. TIP If you are prompted to log into the network while using NetWare Deployment Manager, either enter the server name or click Details and specify the IP address. Execute NetWare Deployment Manager (NWDEPLOY.EXE), which is located on the NetWare 6 Operating System CD. Double-click the Network Preparation folder and review the Overview section. Back up any server data and eDirectory data to another computer or offline storage media using the instructions in the Back Up Data section. Update eDirectory, as required, by executing the View and Update eDirectory Version program. Extend the network schema by executing the Prepare for eDirectory program.
After your network has been updated, you'll need to prepare your server for the NetWare 6 operating system. REAL WORLD You might experience problems if you attempt to run NetWare Deployment Manager on a Windows 2000 workstation with a Matrox G400 video driver. If problems occur, install the latest version of the appropriate video driver from www.matrox.com. |
Server Preparation NetWare 6 is a robust operating system. As such, you should make sure that your servers are prepared for the challenge. In this section, you will learn about the two most critical server preparation targets: DOS partition and DOS configuration files. Prepare the DOS Partition NetWare 6 requires a DOS partition for initial booting and loading of the NetWare operating system. The DOS partition hosts NetWare startup and server files. Refer to the section about hardware requirements for more information on how to determine an appropriate size for the DOS partition. To create and format a DOS partition for NetWare 6, perform these tasks: Back up all data to another computer or offline storage media. Determine which of the following three methods you will use to install NetWare 6: If you are installing NetWare 6 from a nonbootable CD, boot the server with DOS 3.3 (or later) and then insert the NetWare 6 Operating System CD. Then, continue with step 3. If you are installing NetWare 6 from a bootable CD, insert the NetWare 6 Operating System CD and turn on your server. Follow the onscreen prompts to create and format the DOS partition. Skip to the later section titled "Phase I: Choosing the Correct NetWare 6 settings." If you are installing NetWare 6 from a network drive, boot the server with DOS 3.3 (or later) and navigate to the directory containing the NetWare 6 installation files. Then, continue with step 3.
TIP If you plan to boot the computer from the NetWare 6 Operating System CD, verify that the computer's ROM boot order specifies the CD before the hard disk. Do not boot from the NetWare 6 Operating System CD if the computer has an existing DOS partition that is a FAT32 partition. The DOS version included on the NetWare 6 Operating System CD does not recognize FAT32 partitions, and thus, is unable to write to them. (Consult NetWare 6 documentation for further information.) Execute the DOS FDISK utility at the command prompt. If the computer already has an operating system installed (such as Windows), use FDISK to remove the hard drive partitions and the operating system. After you have deleted existing partitions, use FDISK to create a primary DOS partition and make it active. Allow the computer to restart. Format the DOS partition and transfer system files to it by changing to drive A and entering Format C: /s.
REAL WORLD You can create a bootable disk by using the MKFLOPPY.BAT program located in the INSTALL directory of the NetWare 6 Operating System CD. Alternately, you can boot from the NetWare 6 License/Cryptography diskette. Both the CD and diskette contain the DOS operating system and all required DOS utilities. |
Update the DOS Configuration Files NetWare 6 can be installed from the server's local CD drive or from installation files located elsewhere on the network. To access the NetWare 6 installation files, perform the following tasks: Install the DOS CD driver for the computer's CD drive onto the DOS partition. (The DOS CD driver should be obtained from the CD drive manufacturer.) After you install the driver, verify that the logical filename of the CD drive specified in the computer's CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files is not CDROM or CDINST. Next, verify that the CONFIG.SYS file contains these parameters: FILES=50 and BUFFERS=30. (Conditional) If you plan to install NetWare 6 from installation files located on a network, install the Novell Client for DOS and Windows 3.1x or IP Server Connection utility located on the NetWare 6 Novell Client CD, as appropriate. (Conditional) If you plan to install NetWare 6 from installation files located on a network, don't forget to copy the files to the desired server! Also, verify that you have the appropriate security rights to access them.
After you have identified (and satisfied) any hardware, software, and configuration requirements; updated your existing network (if applicable); and prepared the computer you plan to use as a server, you're ready to begin the actual NetWare 6 installation process. Yeah!!! NetWare 6 installation is an exciting adventure consisting of five distinct phases, each with multiple, sequential steps. Following is a brief roadmap of the major steps that occur during each of the five installation phases: Phase I: Choosing the Correct NetWare 6 Settings In Phase I, you will get things started by executing the INSTALL.BAT file, accepting the license agreements, and loading the core NetWare operating system. Then, you will select a plethora of general NetWare 6 settings, including installation type, server address settings, regional parameters, and the mouse type and video mode. Phase II: Installing NetWare 6 Storage In Phase II, you will install and configure NetWare 6 storage devices by selecting an appropriate platform support module, configuring storage device(s) and network board(s), and creating a NetWare partition and SYS: volume. Phase III: Installing the Server and Network In Phase III, you will establish server and network parameters by naming the server, installing the NetWare file system, and configuring network protocol(s). Phase IV: Setting Up DNS and eDirectory In Phase IV, you will expand beyond the server to establish Domain Name settings and to build an eDirectory tree. This stage encompassed the following four steps: set up the Domain Name Service (DNS), set the server time zone, configure eDirectory, and license the NetWare server. Phase V: Completing the Installation Finally, in Phase V, you will complete the NetWare 6 installation process by installing additional network products, configuring the Novell Certificate Server, and customizing final installation parameters.
Every great adventure begins with a single step yours starts with Phase I. |
