1.2 Choosing the Installation Method
After having selected the installation medium, determine a suitable
installation method and boot option that best match your needs:
- Installing from the openSUSE Media
-
Choose this option, if you want to perform a stand-alone
installation and do not want to rely on a network providing the
installation data or the boot infrastructure. The installation proceeds
exactly as outlined in Section 1.3, The Installation Workflow.
- Installing from a Network Server
-
Choose this option, if you have an installation server available in
your network or want to use an external server as the source of your
installation data. This setup can be configured to use from physical
media (Floppy, CD/DVD, or hard disk) for booting or configured to boot
via network using PXE/BOOTP. Refer to Section 1.2.1, Installing from a Network Server Using SLP, Section 1.2.2, Installing from a Network Source without SLP, and Section 1.0, Remote Installation,
(↑ Reference ) for details.
- Installing with instlux from Windows
-
Choose this installation option, if you prefer a smooth transition
from using Windows to Linux. instlux allows you to
boot into the openSUSE installation right from a running Windows by
modifying the Windows boot loader. This installation option is only
available from the DVD media. Refer to Section 1.2.3, Installing with instlux from Windows for details.
openSUSE supports several different boot options from which you can choose
depending on the hardware available and on the installation scenario you
prefer. Booting from the openSUSE media or using instlux are the most
straightforward options, but special requirements might call for special
setups:
Table 1-1 Boot Options
|
DVD/CD-ROM |
This is the easiest boot option. This option can be used if the system
has a local CD-ROM drive that is supported by Linux.
|
|
instlux |
instlux is installed under Microsoft Windows* and makes it possible to
boot directly into the installation
|
|
Floppy |
The images for generating boot floppies are located on CD 1 in the
/boot directory. A README is
available in the same directory.
|
|
PXE or BOOTP |
This must be supported by the system's BIOS or firmware and a boot
server must be available in the network. This task can also be handled
by another openSUSE system.
|
|
Hard Disk |
openSUSE installation can also be booted from the hard disk. To do
this, copy the kernel (linux) and the
installation system (initrd) from the
directory /boot/loader on the installation media
to the hard disk and add the appropriate entry to the existing boot
loader of a previous openSUSE installation.
|
1.2.1 Installing from a Network Server Using SLP
If your network setup supports OpenSLP and your network installation
source has been configured to announce itself via SLP (described in
Section 1.2, Setting Up the Server Holding the Installation Sources,
(↑ Reference )), boot the system
from the media or with another boot option. In the boot screen, select
the desired installation option. Press F4 then select
.
The installation program retrieves the location of the network
installation source using OpenSLP and configures the network connection
with DHCP. If the DHCP network configuration fails, you are prompted to
enter the appropriate parameters manually. The installation then proceeds
as described below with the exception of the network configuration step
needed prior to adding additional repositories. This step is not needed as
the network is already configured and active at this point.
1.2.2 Installing from a Network Source without SLP
If your network setup does not support OpenSLP for the retrieval of
network installation sources, boot the system from the media or with
another boot option. In the boot screen, select the desired installation
option. Press F4 then select the desired network protocol
(NFS, HTTP, FTP, or SMB). Provide the server's address and the path to the
installation media.
The installation program configures the network connection with DHCP. If
the DHCP network configuration fails, you are prompted to enter the
appropriate parameters manually. The installation retrieves the
installation data from the source specified. The installation then
proceeds as described below with the exception of the network
configuration step needed prior to adding additional repositories. This
step is not needed as the network is already configured and active at this
point.
1.2.3 Installing with instlux from Windows
instlux is a Microsoft Windows* application that
prepares your computer to directly boot into the openSUSE installation
without having to adjust BIOS settings. To use instlux, insert the
openSUSE media under Windows. The openSUSE 10.3
Installer setup automatically starts. Choose a language for the
installation and follow the instructions on the screen. The language you
choose here is also used for the openSUSE installation. instlux is
only available on DVD media.
On the next reboot, the Microsoft Windows boot loader launches. Choose
to start the openSUSE
installation. In order to proceed with the installation, you will be
prompted to insert the installation media. The installation proceeds
as described below. When Microsoft Windows is booted again,
instlux is automatically uninstalled.
