SuSE Linux remote installation

Support knowledgebase (remote_install)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions since 8.1

Request

Remote installation of SuSE Linux via network.

Procedure

Installing with YaST via network can be done in several ways. Via VNC (Virtual Network Computing) or SSH (Secure Shell).

Installing via network needs a working network configuration. The remote control of the computer are influenced by boot parameters entered in the boot screen. First check whether the computer to be installed is able to connect to a network. There are two possibilities. The network configuration can be interactively done via linuxrc which can be accessed with the menu item Manual Installation or with boot parameters. Furthermore, the respective network card module has to be loaded. If using linuxrc you need to have physical access to the computer for making your settings. Linuxrc is self-explanatory. You can use following parameters as boot parameter for the network configuration:

Linuxrc also accepts further parameters. Find the complete list under /usr/share/doc/packages/linuxrc/linuxrc.html when installing linuxrc.

VNC

With the VNC system the complete desktop can be controlled via network. To be able to install you need a Java capable browser or a VNC client. Under SuSE Linux you will find a client, vncviewer, in the vnc package. The /dosutils/vnc directory of the first installation CD also includes a client for Microsoft Windows. In the browser insert the IP address of the computer to be installed and the port 5801. E.g. http://192.168.0.1:5801 Find the VNC client options in the documentation.

For installing via VNC use the parameter

vnc=1

for booting.

Set the password with the parameter vncpassword.

vncpassword=passwort

SSH

For an SSH installation you will need an SSH client. Under SuSE Linux you will find it in the openssh package. A client for Microsoft Windows can be found in the /dosutils/putty directory of the first installation CD. Installing via SSH can be done in text mode only. Just connect to the computer to be installed via default SSH port and enter yast.

To be able to install via SSH, use the parameter

usessh=1

for booting.

Set the password with the parameter sshpassword.

sshpassword=passwort
Keywords: REMOTE, YAST, SSH, VNC, SERIAL, CONSOLE, INSTALL, LINUXRC, NETWORK

Categories: YaST

SDB-remote_install, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 18. Dec 2002
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 18. Dec 2002 by afaber (sdb_gen 1.40.0)