Guide to install Linux on lab computer

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Revision as of 21:01, 4 February 2008 by Jschulze (Talk | contribs)

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  1. Preparation
    1. request static IP address in 137.110.118 or 137.110.119 subnet, suggest DNS name (find inspiration at [1])
    2. send DNS name to Jurgen to update data bank at [2]
  2. Hardware
    1. set up computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse on lab desk
    2. use wired, optical mouse
    3. connect monitor with DVI cable, not VGA
    4. connect to activated Ethernet jack
  3. Install Operating System
    1. insert CentOS 4.6 DVD-ROM
    2. reboot computer
    3. hit F12 during POST and select external USB or DVD drive to boot from DVD
    4. use default regional settings (US/English)
    5. set root password (consult Jurgen)
    6. enable NTP
    7. select custom configuration
      1. check administrative tools
  4. Configure OS
    1. configure network
      1. use assigned static IP (see above)
      2. net mask: 255.255.255.0
      3. DNS servers: 132.239.1.52, 128.54.16.2, 132.239.0.252
  5. Update OS
    1. wait for round red icon at top right of screen, then click on it
    2. install all available updates
    3. reboot
  6. Configure server access
    1. add machine's IP address to server's "exports" file
    2. "exportfs -r" on server
    3. add mount line to /etc/fstab (copy from sessions)
    4. "mount -a"
    5. "vi /etc/init.d/netfs"
    6. insert the following line: 
      action $"Sleeping for 30 secs: " sleep 30
      between line: 
      [ ! -f /var/lock/subsys/portmap ] && service portmap start
      and 
      action $"Mounting NFS filesystems: " mount -a -t nfs,nfs4
      This makes sure the server directory gets mounted.
  7. Copy accounts
    1. ssh root@sessions
    2. cd .ssh
    3. scp * root@<new_machine>:.ssh
    4. cd
    5. vi labnodes.txt
    6. add "<new_machine>"
    7. ./passsync
  8. Configure updatedb
    1. configure automatic data bank updates: "vi /etc/updatedb.conf" and set "DAILY_UPDATE" to "yes"
  9. Install graphics driver
    1. on login screen: hit ctrl-alt-F1
    2. log in as root
    3. type "init 3"
    4. type "sh /home/jschulze/drivers/NVIDIA", then press TAB key
    5. skip FTP server lookup
    6. do not install 32 bit compatibility libraries
    7. do auto-configure graphics driver
    8. reboot
    9. log in as root
    10. open terminal window, type "nvidia-settings"
    11. configure display resolution
    12. save to default file ("/etc/X11/xorg.conf")
  10. Reboot and make sure users can log in and see their home directories
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