Linux for z/Series Installation Workshop

Objectives
On successful completion of this course, attendees will be able to:

• explain why Linux is being installed on the z/Series platform
• describe the main differences between GNU and IBM licensing
• compare how Linux is installed on a PC platform with its installation on a z/Series platform
• describe how to obtain Linux for S/390 and z/Series from major vendors
• describe the four z/Series installation techniques
• state the advantages and disadvantages of each installation technique
• explain how a new Linux system is installed via the Virtual Image Facility
• explain how a new Linux system is installed in a native system or LPAR and as a VM (or z/VM) guest
• use the installation utility and install new software via RPMs
• install new software from source code
• describe how to use the Turbolinux distribution, the SuSE distribution and the Red Hat distribution to install Linux
• explain how to implement S/390 printer support in Linux
• describe post-install customisation options.

Who Should Attend
z/OS systems programmers, network systems programmers, senior operators and technical managers. However, all those working in a z/OS environment and needing to know how Linux is installed on that platform will benefit.
Prerequisites
No previous experience of installing or working with Linux is required. Knowledge of the z/Series environment is assumed. An understanding of TCP/IP addressing and networking would be useful.
Duration
2 days
Course Code
LIWS
Contents
Introduction
What is Linux and where did it come from?; why run Linux on the z/Series?; comparing GNU and IBM licensing; Linux distributions; installing Linux on a PC and on z/Series; Linux for z/Series installation options; Installing Linux: native, in an LPAR, as a VM guest; Virtual Image Facility (VIF); installing Linux under VIF; how to obtain Linux and its installation documentation for z/Series.


Linux installation overview
The installation techniques; Virtual Image Facility (VIF); installing the VIF; using VIF to add a Linux system; managing Linux systems with VIF; installation steps for native, LPAR or VM installation; required information about your configuration; setting up the hardware I/O Configuration Data Set (IOCDS); setting up the network connections; what distribution materials do you have?; setting up a local FTP or NFS server for Linux installation; in VM: loading the boot system and IPLing; Support Element Workplace (SEW): loading the boot system and IPLing; building an IPLable tape for use with a Hardware Management Console (HMC); IPLing the Linux boot system with the HMC and IPL tape; interacting with the phase one installation script; installing the packages (RPMs); interacting with the phase two installation script; IPLing the target Linux system; customising the target Linux system.


Installing the Turbolinux distribution
Deciding how to install Turbolinux (native, LPAR, VM or VIF); deciding how to install the boot system; IPLing from the CD-ROM via the SEW; preparing the IPL tape and IPLing from it via the HMC; Turbolinux welcome message; defining the network connection(s) to the installer; using Telnet to start phase two of the installation; defining the DASD volumes to the installer; formatting the DASD volumes for Linux; overview of Linux filesystems and their normal uses; associating Linux filesystems with DASD devices; selecting the package installation method; selecting the servers to install with Linux; selecting the timezone; defining the network connection(s) to Linux; adding a normal Linux user; adding a password for ROOT; specifying the servers to start; defining the DASD volume for root ("/"); shutting down the installer; IPLing the new Linux system; shutting down Turbolinux.


Installing the Red Hat distribution
Deciding how to install SuSE Linux (native, LPAR, VM or VIF); deciding how to install the boot system; IPLing from the CD-ROM via the SEW; preparing the IPL tape and IPLing from it via the HMC; defining the network connection to the installer; defining the DASD volumes to the installer; using Telnet to start phase two of the installation; running the phase two installer; selecting the package installation method; running the Anaconda installation program; selecting the installation language; selecting server or workstation install; formatting DASD volumes; using new DASD volumes?; partitioning DASD volumes; selecting the national language; specifying the time zone; setting the password for ROOT; adding normal user account(s); selecting the packages to install; IPLing the new Linux system; shutting down Red Hat Linux.


Installing the SuSE distribution
Deciding how to install SuSE Linux (native, LPAR, VM or VIF); deciding how to install the boot system; IPLing from the CD-ROM via the SEW; preparing the IPL tape and IPLing from it via the HMC; SuSE Linux welcome message; defining the network connection(s) to the installer; setting the temporary ROOT password; network setup messages; using Telnet to start phase two of the installation; phase two, (telnet) welcome message; defining the DASD volumes to the installer; starting the YaST installation program; selecting the installation language; selecting the package installation method and installation type; associating Linux filesystems with DASD devices; formatting the DASD devices for Linux; using Function Keys with YaST; specifying the FTP or NFS server parameters; selecting the packages to install; selecting the timezone; specifying the host and domain name for your Linux system; defining the TCP/IP parameters to Linux; IPLing the new Linux system; setting the permanent ROOT password; shutting down SuSE Linux.


Post-installation customisation
Installing software in RPM format; installing software from source; IBM Developer Zone Updates; installing printer support; basic web server customisation; customising other servers.