openSolaris 2008 - Advantages of Preconfiguring System Configuration Information - Solaris Express Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations

Advantages of Preconfiguring System Configuration Information

The installation methods require configuration information about a system, such as peripheral devices, host name, Internet Protocol (IP) address, and naming service. Before the installation tools prompt you for configuration information, they check for configuration information that is stored elsewhere.

You can choose one of the following ways to preconfigure system information.

Table 2-1 Preconfiguration Options

Preconfiguration File or Service	Description	Further Information
`sysidcfg` file	Preset the domain name, netmask, DHCP, IPv6 and other parameters by using keywords in the `sysidcfg` file.	Preconfiguring With the `sysidcfg` File
Naming service	Preset host name and IP addresses by preconfiguring your system information in your naming service.	Preconfiguring With the Naming Service
DHCP	DHCP enables host system in a TCP/IP network to be configured automatically for the network as the system boots. DHCP can manage IP addresses by leasing them as needed to clients.	Preconfiguring System Configuration Information With the DHCP Service (Tasks)

For more detailed information about choosing a preconfiguration method, see Choosing a Naming Service.

When the Solaris installation program or the custom JumpStart^TM installation program detects preconfigured system information, the installation program does not prompt you to enter the information. For example, you have several systems and you do not want a time zone prompt every time you install the current Solaris release on one of the systems. You can specify the time zone in the sysidcfg file or the naming service databases. When you install the current Solaris release, the installation program does not prompt you to type a time zone.