1.0 Introduction

Compaq ProLiant servers provide an excellent platform for Linux. These machines are engineered from the ground up to provide performance, reliability, and scalability using industry-standard components. This guide provides additional details for the installation of Linux on Compaq ProLiant servers. Compaq recognizes that there are many distributions of Linux available today and this guide is geared toward Caldera OpenLinux Server.

1.1 Installation Overview

Following are the general steps you will perform to install a Linux distribution on your server:

Run SmartStart to perform a system erase using the “System Erase Utility.”
Perform either a SmartStart setup or ROM Based Setup Utility (RBSU) configuration. See section 2.1 and 3.1 of this document for more information.
Insert the operating system CD-ROM and remove the OS CD-ROM when prompted.
Select the type of installation.
Partitions the hard drive see Section 2 “Disk Partitioning” for additional information.

6. Select the installation packages.

7. Set up the network.

Install LILO/GRUB.

NOTE: LILO is the most used Linux Loader; it uses BIOS calls to load the Linux kernel off the disk (IDE drive or floppy disk). The Linux kernel must be located where it can be accessed easily by the BIOS. You can specify the master boot record (/dev/hda) or the root partition of your Linux installation (is usually is /dev/hda1 or /dev/hda2). GRUB is a Multiboot boot loader. It was derived from GRUB, GRand Unified Bootloader. GRUB loads and transfers control to the operating system kernel software. It is commonly used when you are running a dual boot setup with Windows software.

Verify the installation.

1.2 Compaq Hardware

Compaq supports both Intel and Alpha based platforms for Linux. For the purposes of this “How To” the focus will be on the Compaq ProLiant platforms. The current list of supported Intel based servers is shown below. If your Compaq server is not listed here, you will still be able to benefit from the information contained in this guide. For more details on tested and certified Compaq servers, visit: http://www.compaq.com/linux .

Compaq Servers

The following table represents the Compaq ProLiant servers this guide primarily targets. All servers listed below are base models and do not include any additional options. Base model descriptions can be found at http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux or http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/cert-arc.html for older system support and distributions. If the Compaq server is not listed within this document, please check our archive records located at http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/archive-howto.html

Before beginning installation refer to Table 1 for Compaq ProLiant server specifications and any additional installation notes.

Table 1. Compaq ProLiant Server Specifications

ProLiant Server	Network Interface Controller	ROM Based Setup Utility	Support System Configuration Utility	Disk Controller	Video Controller
DL320	NC 3163 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	Yes²	No	Integrated Ultra ATA/100 or Integrated Single Channel Wide Ultra2 SCSI	ATI Rage XL
DL360	NC 3163 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	No	Yes³	Integrated Smart Controller	ATI Rage IIC¹
DL380	NC 3163 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	No	Yes³	Integrated Smart Controller	ATI Rage IIC¹
DL580	NC 3134 Fast Ethernet NIC 64 PCI Dual Port 10/100	No	Yes³	Integrated Smart Controller	Integrated 1280 x 1024, 256 color on local PCI bus
ML330	NC 3163 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	Yes²	No	Integrated Single Channel Wide Ultra2 SCSI	ATI Rage XL
ML330e	NC 3163 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	Yes²	No	Integrated Dual Channel Ultra ATA 100	ATI Rage XL
ML350	NC 3163 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	Yes²	No	Integrated Dual Channel Wide Ultra3 SCSI	ATI Rage XL
ML350 1GHz	NC 3163 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	Yes²	No	Integrated Dual Channel Wild Ultra3 SCSI	ATI Rage XL
ML370	NC 3163 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	No	Yes³	Integrated Dual Channel Wide Ultra2 SCSI	ATI Rage IIC¹
ML530	NC 3123 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	No	Yes³	Integrated Dual Channel Wide Ultra2 SCSI or Smart Array 5302/32	ATI Rage IIC¹
ML570	NC 3123 Fast Ethernet PCI 10/100 WOL	No	Yes³	Integrated Dual Channel Wide Ultra2 SCSI	ATI Rage IIC¹
8000/ML750	NC3131 FE 64 PCI Dual Port 10/100	No	Yes³	Smart Array 4250 ES	Integrated 1024 x 768, 256 color on PCI local bus
8500/DL760	NC3131 FE 64 PCI Dual Port 10/100	No	Yes³	Integrated Smart Array Controller	Integrated 1280 x 1024, 256 colors PCI video controller

¹Many Linux distributions may have some ghosting problems with XFree86 on the integrated ATI Rage IIC video controller. The problem can be severe depending on the video mode chosen. If you see this condition (machines with the Rage IIC and more than 4MB of video RAM are more likely to see this problem), eliminate it by creating a new Linux kernel with the ATI Mach64 console driver disabled and then booting from this new kernel.

²For systems using ROM Based Setup, it is recommended that you use Automatic Partitioning, rather than manual partitioning using Disk Druid or FDISK. You can delete the F10 partition from the hard drive during the disk-partitioning phase of installation. See the section “Notes on /boot.”

³During installation it is recommended that you do not remove the F10 system partition from the hard drive. Having this partition available can save time if you need to access Compaq Utilities. You should install LILO to an active partition rather than the MBR. See the section “Notes on /boot.”

Compaq Storage Controllers

The Wide Ultra2 SCSI and Wide Ultra2 SCSI-3 Controller series are based on Symbios Logic (LSI Logic) chips, while the Wide-Ultra3 SCSI controllers are based on Adaptec technology. The Linux 2.4.x kernel and 2.2.x kernel support these controllers and include driver support for the Compaq Smart Array Controller family, the Compaq 64-Bit/66 MHz Fibre Channel Host Adapter, and the Compaq Smart Array 5300. Compaq storage drivers are also available on our Open Source web page at http://www.opensource.compaq.com.

Network Interface Controllers (NICs)

Current models of Compaq servers ship with one or more Compaq NC 31xx NICs that are based on the Intel 8255x chipset. The first default driver available for these chipsets was the eepro100 driver provided by SCYLD; however, the current and preferred driver for use with the Compaq NC31xx controllers is the Compaq certified Intel e100 driver which is available for download from the Compaq website at the following address: http://www.compaq.com/support/files/server/us/locate/2882.html.

NOTE: Using the default installation will not necessarily supply the Compaq NIC driver; it must be made after the installation is complete.

Compaq Gigabit Network controllers currently use the e1000 from Intel available at http://support.intel.com/support/network/adapter/1000/index.htm. Older model Compaq servers with NetFlex-3 NICs are based on the Texas Instruments ThunderLAN (or TLAN) chipset, which uses the TLAN driver and is available at http://opensource.compaq.com/sourceforge/project/?group_id=12.

Compaq network drivers are also available on our Open Source web page http://www.opensource.compaq.com.

Memory

Installing with more than 1 GIGABYTE of memory

On a 2.2.x kernel, the Linux installation will fail if more than 1 GIGABYTE of memory is installed. If you wish to install with more than 1 GIGABYTE, limit the amount the install process discovers by typing:

linux mem=960M (“M” specifies memory)

at the boot prompt. To use more than 1 GIGABYTE of memory after installing Linux, a new kernel must be built with a specified upper limit of 2 GIGABYTE. Memory above 2 GIGABYTE requires extensive modification to the 2.2.x kernel source tree. The 2.4.2 Linux kernel supports more than 2 GIGABYTE of memory, but not during installation.

Note: This issue is not unique to Compaq servers. This issue applies to all servers with more than 1 GIGABYTE of memory.

Using more than 16 MEGABYTES of memory

On some older Compaq servers, the Linux installation procedure may only detect 16 MEGABYTES of memory. The installation should be restarted, and the correct amount of memory specified at the boot prompt by typing linux mem=XM where X is the correct amount of memory on the system. If Linux detects only 16 MB of memory, the installation will proceed at a much slower pace than normal.

To avoid having to type this command each time you boot Linux, edit the /etc/lilo.conf file and add an “append” line:

append="mem=48M" (“M” specifies memory)

This change must be added very close to the “read-only” line. The /etc/lilo.conf section will look similar to the following:

image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.2.16

label=linux

root=/dev/sda2

append="mem=48M" (“M” specifies memory)

read-only

Save /etc/lilo.conf and then run /sbin/lilo to install a fresh copy of LILO.

You may find that the above memory command does not work for the 2.4.x Linux kernel. Two other methods exist for specifying the amount of memory available:

mem=320M@16M (“M” specifies Memory)

mem=exactmap mem=0x9f000@0 mem=0x13f00000@0x100000

where 0x13f00000 = 319M.

To calculate an appropriate value for your amount of memory, take your amount of memory in megabytes, subtract 1 megabyte, multiply by 1024, then multiple by 1024 again, then convert to hexadecimal.

The following formula (where XM is your total memory specified in MEGABYTES) shows this calculation:

(XM - 1M)*1024*1024, then convert the value to hexadecimal.

2.0 Disk Partitioning

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of a Linux installation is Disk Partitioning. You can choose to perform automatic partitioning, or partition manually.

Automatic partitioning allows you to perform an installation without having to partition your drive(s) yourself. If you do not feel comfortable with partitioning your system, it is recommended that you select automatic partitioning. If you do not want Linux to be installed on your Master Boot Record (MBR) or if you want to use a boot manager other than LILO, do not choose this installation method.

CAUTION: Using automatic partitioning removes all data on all existing Linux partitions.

2.1 The Compaq System Partition

The Compaq System Partition, created during a SmartStart installation, reserves an area of the boot disk to store Compaq configuration and server utilities that simplify server configuration and diagnostics. The System Configuration Utility installs to this partition providing system configuration and server diagnostic tools. Although not required, Compaq recommends creating and maintaining this partition to make future system configuration and diagnostic sessions easier. Having the Compaq System Partition in place on systems that support it can save approximately one hour, if it becomes necessary to use any of these utilities.

Here are some things to remember when partitioning your disk drive(s).

The Compaq System Partition is not required for a Linux installation. Although not required, Compaq recommends that you create and maintain this partition (if your system supports it) to make future system configuration sessions easier. If you choose not to create or keep this partition, use floppy disks to complete the configuration process.

Systems with RBSU (See Table 1) do not require a Compaq System Partition and the System Configuration Utility will not run on these systems.

When using a Smart Array hosted disk system, all drives must be configured before installing Linux. Compaq Array Controllers are configured either using the Compaq ACU (Array Configuration Utility), which is available on the SmartStart CD-ROM or the Array configuration tool that resides in Option ROM on certain Smart Array controllers, the Option ROM Configuration for Array, (ORCA).

A maximum of four primary partitions are allowed on each hard drive.

An extended partition counts as one primary partition. An extended partition can have multiple logical drives within it.

Most operating systems can only boot from a primary partition. A logical drive within an extended partition is normally not bootable. Many find that this is not a problem with Linux, but it is important to understand this when setting up multiple operating systems on a single system.

The boot kernel must reside completely below the 1024 cylinder limit. If the kernel is placed beyond the 1024 cylinder limit, the operating system may not boot.

Sample Partition Sizes

These suggested partition sizes could be used as guidelines for your Linux installation.

Note: This is only recommended for systems without a ROM Based Setup (RBSU).

· Primary Partition #1 (Note: This partition normally shows up as Partition #3)

o Description: Compaq System Partition

o Size: 39 MB

o Type: Compaq Diagnostics (0x12)

· Extended Partition #2

o Description: Hosts various logical drives and swap partition

o Size: Remainder of hard drive

o Logical Drive #1

§ Description: Swap Partition

§ Type: Swap (0x82)

§ Size: usually 2 * amount of RAM

o Logical Drive #2

§ Description: / partition (Linux root file system)

§ Type: Linux

§ Size: 265 MB or larger

o Logical Drive #3 (recommended)

§ Description: /var partition (Linux log area)

§ Type: Linux

Size: 265MB or larger

o Logical Drive #4 (optional)

§ Description: /usr partition (shared software among users)

§ Type: Linux

§ Size: Variable, about 1/2 the remaining capacity of the hard drive

o Logical Drive #5 (optional)

§ Description: /home partition (user directories)

§ Type: Linux

Size: Variable, about 1/2 the remaining capacity of the hard drive

Notes

The remaining disk space usually divides equally between /home and /usr. For a typical installation, /usr should at least be 900MB and a complete installation could be as much as 3Gigabytes. This varies with other Linux distributions.

Note: If /usr is not created, then the / must be large enough to hold all of the programs and applications.

In a standard production environment, when installing Linux, create a separate /usr partition with a capacity of approximately 1000MB. The /usr partition holds many applications. Having a large number of applications installed on the /usr directory without having a separate partition could fill your root file system and halt your server. If you have a separate /usr partition, the system notifies you when the /usr partition becomes filled to 95% capacity.

In a standard production environment, when installing Linux, create a separate /var partition with a capacity of 500MB to 750MB. The /var partition holds many of the system logs and spoolers. Should the operating system have a runaway process, the VAR partition would prevent your logs or spoolers from filling your root file system. With the separate /var partition the system notifies you when the /var partition becomes filled to 95% capacity.

By default, the Compaq System Partition will generally show up as partition #3 instead of partition #1. This partition should always be preserved.

Most operating systems can make use of the Extended Partition. Primary partitions are bootable, but you are limited to a total of 3 (3 primary partitions plus one extended partition). With the 1^st partition used by the Compaq System Partition, the 2^nd partition used by /boot, so Linux can boot, the 3^rd partition can be used as an extended partition for the remaining Linux partitions. The /boot partition should reside completely below the 1024 cylinder limit to ensure that you don’t encounter any booting problems. Booting problems can occur when the software required to boot an operating system reside above the 1024 cylinder limit.

The Linux 2.2.x and 2.4.x kernel support up to 2 Gigabytes of swap space per swap partition. To get more, simply create and mkswap additional swap partitions, and add the appropriate entries into /etc/fstab. Most distributions will do this automatically if more than one partition is labeled 0x82 (Linux Swap) during installation.

Distributions

Not all Linux distributions will automatically partition the hard drive according to the guidelines described above. Multiple primary partitions (hidden system partitions, Windows partitions, etc.) may confuse some utilities. If the boot partition is a logical drive (in the extended partition), the system cannot boot without special care. To access Linux, LILO will need to be installed onto the MBR, an alternate boot manager used, or a Linux boot floppy will need to be used.

The DISK DRUID Utility is now bundled with many Linux distributions and aids greatly in partitioning the hard drive. Many distributions also offer the fdisk utility (or cfdisk utility) to perform this function providing more control over the procedure. If fdisk is needed, you may need to enter the Expert Installation to gain access to this utility.

Note: In newer distributions, DISK DRUID has been altered so that if you create /boot as the very first partition, it creates as a primary partition.

3.0 Installation Process

This section outlines several installation procedures for Caldera OpenLinux Server distributions. You may also check the archive records located at http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/archive-howto.html.

3.1 SmartStart

Compaq SmartStart configures Compaq hardware, loads optimized drivers, and assists with the software installation. It also provides functionality for integrating operating systems on Compaq servers to achieve optimum reliability and performance. Integration Management features extend the benefits of SmartStart and facilitate consistency and reliability of server deployment and maintenance.

SmartStart for Servers is shipped standard with every Compaq Server. You can also take advantage of the SmartStart Subscription Service for new and updated releases of the SmartStart CD, Compaq Insight Manager and Compaq Server Support Software. To order a subscription, you can either call 1-800-573-1099 or order online via http://www.compaq.com.

Compaq recommends that you begin with SmartStart when installing Linux on a ProLiant server. Always use the latest version of SmartStart with your installation. SmartStart supports manual path installation of Linux. The following steps are based on SmartStart Release 4.90 and above.

1. Start with a System Erase. Starting with a system erase ensures you begin the installation process from a known non-configured state.

a) Boot from the SmartStart CD-ROM.

b) Select Run System Erase Utility from the Main Menu à Yes.

c) Restart the server.

2. Begin the installation process.

a) Select the language and locale settings.

b) Select Manual Installation → Begin.

c) Select Linux in the Operating System Selection Screen.
When using SmartStart 4.60 or earlier select UnixWare2.
SmartStart configures your server hardware including options, such as an array controller, if present. SmartStart also creates the Compaq System Partition and installs the other necessary files.

3. Restart the server.

4. Configure the Compaq Array controller (if applicable) using the Array Configuration Utility (ACU).

5. Continue until the screen prompts you for the appropriate operating system media.

6. Insert the Linux installation CD-ROM (or floppy if required) and press Enter. The system will now boot from the Linux installation disk.

7. Proceed with Linux Installation.

3.2 Caldera

Caldera OpenLinux Server 3.1

Hardware

These installation instructions apply to the Compaq servers in the following list. Compaq servers marked with a number have special instructions described below.

If your Compaq server is not listed within this document, please check our archive records located at http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/archive-howto.html

Compaq ProLiant Servers recommended for Caldera OpenLinux Server 3.1
ProLiant DL320	ProLiant ML350 1GHz
ProLiant DL360	ProLiant ML370
ProLiant DL380	ProLiant ML370 G2
ProLiant DL380 G2	ProLiant ML530
ProLiant DL580	ProLiant ML570
ProLiant DL760 (NEW)	ProLiant ML750 (NEW)
ProLiant ML330	ProLiant 8000
ProLiant ML330e (NEW)	ProLiant 8500
ProLiant ML350

General Installation

1. Configure the server using the SmartStart CD:
Run SmartStart on the server: Erase Utility à Manual à Linux OS.
See section 3.1 for SmartStart setup before proceeding with these instructions.

2. Insert the Caldera OpenLinux Server 3.1 CD when prompted.

3. Select Custom (Expert Only!) at the Installation Target screen.
NOTE: This allows you to keep the Compaq System Partition. The Compaq System Partition is not required to complete the installation. Compaq recommends creating the partition to facilitate system configuration. The partition contains SmartStart diagnostic tools and is also required to run the tools off the SmartStart CD (SCU for example). If you choose not to create or keep this partition, floppy disks containing the utilities may be made from the SmartStart CD-ROM. Please consult the SmartStart documentation for further information. If you choose not to keep the Compaq System Partition, it is not necessary to select the Custom (Expert Only!) installation.

4. Partition the hard drive:
DO NOT edit or delete the Compaq System Partition.
See section 2.1 for tips on disk partitioning.
Note: Compaq does not recommend using logical drives during the installation process if you are having problems.

a) Create the / (root) partition first. (Example: /dev/sda1)

· Make sure that the Bootable and Format boxes are selected.

· Write down the / (root) partition device number. You may need the root partition device number for later use.

b) Create the swap partition:

· Select Linux Swap from the Partition Type Section.

· The swap Partition is usually two times the amount of system RAM.

c) Create other partitions
Note: Do not create a /boot partition.

5. Save the partition configuration by selecting Write option.

6. Format the chosen partitions.

7. Select the installation packages.

8. Set up the network.

9. Select whether to install GRUB onto the MBR (Master Boot Record). To preserve the Compaq System Partition, do not check the INSTALL TO MBR option.

Note: If you put GRUB into the MBR, you will be unable to access the Compaq System Configuration Utilities by pressing F10 during system boot up (unless your system has ROM-based utilities). If GRUB is placed on the /boot partition, or in this case the / (root) partition, and that partition is marked active, the F10 key functions properly. If you prefer to put GRUB in the master boot record, you can set up GRUB such that it will boot the Compaq partition using GRUB mechanisms instead of the F10 key. If the MBR will be used, the MBR radio button must be selected before the MBR device can be changed.

Important: For ‘ROM Based Setup Utility’ (RBSU) units (such as the ProLiant ML330, ProLiant ML330e, ProLiant ML350, ML350 1Ghz and ProLiant DL320), place GRUB into the MBR.

10. Log on to the server after the installation completes.

4.0 Troubleshooting

Problem: No storage controller is recognized

Possible Causes:

A more recent driver needed is needed for the controller (SYM53C8xx).
The embedded or stand-up storage controller interfaces to a secondary/tertiary PCI bus and the Linux distribution kernel is less than 2.2.16.

Possible Solutions:

Download a more recent driver for the controller at http://www.compaq.com/linux.
Use a Linux distribution with kernel 2.2.16 or later.
Check the HOWTO that is available at (http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/compaq-howto.html) or the archived HOWTO (http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/archive-howto.html) for installation procedures.

Problem: Linux hangs during boot when starting networking

Possible Cause:

Bugs in eepro100 driver

Possible Solutions:

Try using the Intel e100.o device driver available for download from Compaq at http://www.compaq.com/support/files/server/us/locate/2882.html.
The EEPro100 Mailing List archive, is available at http://www.tux.org/hypermail/linux-eepro100/, and is another good source of information.

Problem: LILO or Linux hangs during boot

Possible Causes:

/boot above the 1024 cylinder limit
Problem in /etc/lilo.conf
Problem in /etc/fstab
Linear addressing might be needed for SCSI drives

Possible Solutions:

Use fdisk to make sure the /boot partition is one of the first partitions on the drive and that it does not extend beyond cylinder 1024.
Rerun /sbin/lilo. Put LILO into the Master Boot Record (MBR). This means omitting any digits at the end of the first line as follows: boot=/dev/sda or boot=/dev/ida/c0d0.
Verify that all the information in /etc/fstab is correct.
Boot to the floppy created during installation. Add the keyword Linear to the /etc/lilo.conf file or run /sbin/lilo –l.

Problem: Black screen after POST (Power-On-Self-Test) completes (blinking cursor in the upper left-hand corner)

Possible Causes:

No active partition
/boot in the extended partition
Master Boot Record (MBR) corrupt
Problem with /etc/lilo.conf
LILO is not using linear mode

Possible Solutions:

Verify that there is an active partition.
Verify that /boot partition is numbered less than 5.
Repair the Master Boot Record with DOS 6.22 or the Windows 95 boot disk using the fdisk /mbr command.
Put LILO into the Master Boot Record. This means omitting any digits at the end of the first line.
Edit your /etc/lilo.conf file if you are installing to a ProLiant ML330 or ProLiant ML350 and LILO is installed on the master boot record. Make sure the keyword linear appears in the top section.

Problem: Linux does not report the correct amount of system memory

Possible Causes:

Memory is not specified in /etc/lilo.conf.
The Linux kernel not compiled to recognize all of physical memory.

Possible Solutions:

Add the following line to your /etc/lilo.conf just before the read-only line (adjust for your amount of memory), and re-run LILO to make this change take effect:

append="mem=48M" or append="mem=49152k"

append=”mem=320M@16M”

append=”mem=exactmap mem=0x9f000@0 mem=0x13f00000@0x100000”

2. Check memory settings by changing the present working directory to /usr/src/linux and typing make config, make menuconfig, or make xconfig, as appropriate. It may be necessary to apply the bigmem patch to recognize greater than two Gigabytes of physical RAM.

5.0 Questions and Answers

Compaq Related

Where can I get more information on Compaq and Linux?

The Compaq Linux website hosts an array of information, such as the distributions Compaq supports, white papers, customer advisories, support matrices, and a direct link to all Linux SoftPaqs for servers and storage options located at

http://www.compaq.com/linux/

Does Compaq have Open Source projects?

Compaq is hosting a number of ongoing open source software projects running on ProLiant platforms. The Compaq open source website contains engineering projects, technical papers, news and articles from within the Compaq open source community. Compaq also aids in the support of Linux by regularly contributing software to the Linux kernel. Visit the Compaq Open Source website at http://www.opensource.compaq.com/

Why start with a system erase?

Starting with a system erase ensures you begin the installation process from a known non-configured state.

How do I perform a system erase?

Boot from the SmartStart CD-ROM and choose System Erase from the Main Menu.

How do I get to the main menu of SmartStart if all that shows is a boot: instead of the graphical menu when booting to the SmartStart CD-ROM?

One method is to build and use the System Erase Diskette. Create this diskette from the Compaq Disk Builder by inserting the SmartStart CD-ROM into a system running Microsoft Windows; the Autorun feature automatically starts the Disk Builder Program.

Why choose Linux or UnixWare 2 as the operating system to install?

For SmartStart version 4.6 or later, select Linux as the operating system to install. Earlier versions of SmartStart did not include Linux as an operating system option. In this case, the UnixWare 2 setting configures the server's hardware (including chipset-level settings such as the APIC mode) in a manner appropriate for Linux.

Why choose Custom Install when installing Caldera Linux?

Custom Install allows you to keep an existing Compaq System Partition, while Server Install or Workstation Install options delete the System Partition.

Why use fdisk instead of DISK DRUID when installing older versions of Linux?

Once Disk Druid finds a primary partition, it creates all remaining partitions within a non-bootable extended partition. Because DISK DRUID does not take into account the Compaq System Partition, it will incorrectly install /boot into the extended partition. You cannot boot from the extended partition. The only way to correctly partition the primary hard disk is to use fdisk.

Why put LILO on the first sector of the /boot partition instead of the MBR?

If you put LILO into the MBR, you will not be able to access the System Configuration Utilities by pressing F10 during system boot up. The F10 key functions properly if LILO is placed on the /boot partition and that partition marked active.

Note: If you prefer to put LILO in the master boot record, you can set up LILO so that it can boot the Compaq partition using LILO mechanisms instead of the F10 key.

Why put the /boot partition immediately after the Compaq System Partition?

This keeps the /boot partition completely below the 1024 cylinder limit.

How do you verify that the SCSI controllers have been identified during installation?

Use the Left Alt+F3 and Left Alt+F4 buttons to change screen views.

· If a SMART Array controller is installed, these screens indicate the controller was found. The Compaq System Partition appears as partition three (ida/c0d0: p3).

Compaq Smart2 Driver (v 0.9.9)

Found 1 controller(s)

Finding drives on ida0 (SMART-221)

ida/c0d0: blksz=512 nr_blks=4096320

ida/c0d0: p3

· If you have an embedded SCSI controller, you should see an indication that it has been found:

sym53c8xx: ................

ncr53c8xx: ................

6.0 Compaq Web Resources

The following Compaq links contain valuable information regarding Linux, ProLiant servers, software downloads, and technical documentation.

· http://www.compaq.com/linux/ Compaq main Linux page.

· http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/ Compaq ProLiant server information page.

· http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/linux-drivers.html: Compaq direct link to Linux SoftPaqs and drivers.

· http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/certMatrix.html – Compaq list of supported servers.

· http://www.compaq.com/products/servers/linux/OptionsMatrix.html – Compaq list of supported options.

http://opensource.compaq.com: Compaq Open Source software projects.

· http://www.compaq.com/alphaserver/linux: Compaq Alpha Server information page

· http://www.alphalinux.org: A web site dedicated to information about Linux and Alpha processor-based computer systems by Compaq and other vendors.

· http://forum.compaq.com: Useful forum for technical support of Compaq products (account required from http://forum.compaq.com)

· http://www.geocities.com/rlcomp_1999: Richard Black, Compaq Technical Support, has done a tremendous job pulling this stuff together.

· ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/products/drivers/linux/ The Compaq SMART/2 Array Controller device driver site

http://www.compaq.com/support/files/server/us/locate/2882.html: The latest Linux drivers for Compaq Fast Ethernet NICs based on the Intel 82558 or 82559 chips are available here.

· http://opensource.compaq.com: The latest Linux drivers for Compaq Fast Ethernet NICs based on the TI ThunderLAN chip are available here.

7.0 Useful Linux Links

http://www.linuxdoc.org: The Linux Documentation Project: Guides, HOWTOs, FAQs, man pages, and the Linux Gazette.

· http://www.linux.org: Linux Online

· http://www.li.org: Linux International

· http://www.gnu.org: The GNU project

http://www.fsf.org: The Free Software Foundation

· http://www.tux.org: Several east coast (U.S.) Linux Users Groups

http://www.caldera.com: Caldera Linux distribution

· http://linux.tucows.com/: HOWTOs, and other information.

· http://mirror.ox.ac.uk/rpm2html/ If you are looking for rpm, here is a site that has them all.

· http://lxr.linux.no/source/: Linux kernel code browsing online utility.

· http://home.xnet.com/~blatura/linapp6.html: Tools and utilities for Linux

· http://www.linux.org.uk/SMP/title.html: Useful information on Symmetric Multi-Processing under Linux

· http://www.phy.duke.edu/brahma/smp-faq: Linux SMP FAQ (mirrored from http://www.irisa.fr/prive/dmentre/smp-faq)

· http://www.cs.cmu.edu/People/AUIS/ftp/web/andrew-home.html: The Andrew Consortium site; you can obtain the Andrew EZ program for viewing Andrew EZ format documents (such as the SMP document posted on the http://www.linux.org.uk site).

· http://www.xfree86.org : The Xfree86 Project. Most Linux distributions (including Caldera, SuSE, and Red Hat) include the free X server developed by this organization.

· http://www.freshmeat.net : A large index of ports of software for Linux and other platforms. If you are looking for a particular utility or program, try looking here first.

· http://www.slashdot.org : A useful site for daily news

http://www.linux.com: Your one-stop Linux web page, from chatting to news to links -- and more!
http://www.kernel.org: The Linux Kernel Archives
http://linuxtoday.com/: Linux Today - Linux News On Internet Time

Feedback

If you have feedback regarding ways to improve this document, technical corrections, or additional information that should be included, please email the Compaq ProLiant Linux team at linux.feedback@compaq.com.

The above email address is for feedback only; issues requiring technical assistance should be directed to Compaq Technical Support at support@compaq.com.

Visit the Compaq Linux web site at http://www.compaq.com/linux .