Guide to install Linux on lab computer

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CentOS 5.3 on Dell Studio Hybrid

Hardware specs:

  • NIC: Realtek RTL 8111/8168B PCI-E
  • Graphics: Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
  • RAM: 3GB
  • Native OS: Windows Vista Home
  • Dell 1909Wb display: 1440x900@60Hz

Notes:

  • To insert/remove DVD touch Eject icon on front panel.
  • Installation policy: erase Windows partition, but leave recovery partition intact
  • NIC should install automatically
  • Select DHCP based configuration for network parameters
  • Graphics driver: use Intel GM965/GL960
  • install GRUB on MBR, no GRUB password
  • create 6GB swap drive (should be default)

Special installation tips:

  • install kernel-2.6.18-128.el5 for better hardware support
  • in xorg.conf, change 'intel' to 'vesa' to get x11 to work

CentOS 5.2 on Dell Optiplex GX620

  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. make sure mouse is wired and optical
    3. connect monitor with DVI cable, not VGA
    4. connect network cable to activated Ethernet jack
  3. Install Operating System
    1. insert CentOS 5.2 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 to IVL password
    6. in time zone settings: enable NTP
    7. Configure network
    8. start network configuration tool in System->Administration->Network
    9. double click on connected Ethernet port
    10. enter this computer's static IP address
    11. net mask: 255.255.255.0
    12. DNS servers: 132.239.1.52, 128.54.16.2, 132.239.0.252
    13. reboot
  4. 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.ucsd.edu)
    4. mount -a
  5. Give OS time to get network ready before mounting the NFS
    1. "vi /etc/init.d/netfs"
    2. 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.
  6. 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
  7. Install additional libraries 
yum -y groupinstall "Development Tools"
yum -y groupinstall "Development Libraries"
yum -y groupinstall "Chinese Support"
yum -y install kernel-devel
yum -y install arts-devel
yum -y install freeglut.x86_64
yum -y install freeglut-devel.x86_64
yum -y install libpng-devel.x86_64
yum -y install compat-libstdc++-33
yum -y install boost.x86_64
yum -y install boost-devel.x86_64
yum -y install ImageMagick.x86_64
yum -y install ImageMagick-devel.x86_64
yum -y install ImageMagick-c++.x86_64
yum -y install ImageMagick-c++-devel.x86_64
yum -y install mysql.x86_64
yum -y install mysql-devel.x86_64
yum -y install screen
yum -y install gnuplot
rpm -Uhv /home/jschulze/drivers/Cg-2.1_November2008_x86_64.rpm
  1. Update all installed CentOS software:
    1. yum -y update RUN THIS COMMAND TWICE
    2. reboot
  2. Install graphics driver
    1. on login screen: hit ctrl-alt-F1
    2. log in as root
    3. type "init 3"
    4. "sh /home/jschulze/drivers/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-173.14.12-pkg2.run"
    5. skip FTP server lookup
    6. do not install 32 bit compatibility libraries
    7. do auto-configure graphics driver
    8. reboot
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