IPL Options

This section provides the information needed to do an IPL for the first installation. Depending on the type of installation, different options need to be used. The channel-attached tape, VM reader, and load from DVD-ROM or server options are discussed. Installing the software packages, which is done over the network, does not require the IPL medium.

ESCON or FICON Attached Tape

IPLing from a channel-attached tape is possible on all systems connected to a tape library. The only prerequisite is that the LPAR in which to install (or allowing z/VM to run) is allowed to access the tape unit. For this, the IODEVICE statement in the IOCDS must have the attribute SHARED or PART=<LPARName>.

VM Reader

To IPL from a VM reader, transfer the necessary files into the reader first. Then multiple IPLs are easily done. This is the preferred way on z/VM. For convenience of administration, it is recommended to create a user linuxmnt that owns a minidisk with the files and scripts needed for IPL. This minidisk is then accessed read-only by the Linux guests.

Load from CD-ROM or Server

For IPLing into an LPAR, it is possible to either load the kernel image directly from the SE's or the HMC's DVD-ROM device or from any remote system accessible through FTP. This function can be performed from the HMC. The installation process requires a file with a mapping of the location of the installation data in the file system and the memory locations where the data is to be copied. For SUSE Linux Enterprise Server this file is called suse.ins and located in the root directory of the file system on the DVD 1.

In the left navigation pane of the HMC expand Systems Management and Servers and select the mainframe system you want to work with. Choose the LPAR where you want to boot SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from the table of LPARs displayed in the upper content area on the right. In the Tasks area, expand Recovery and click Load from CD-ROM or Server.

Now either choose Hardware Management Console DVD-ROM or FTP Source. If having chosen the latter option, provide the servers address or name and your credentials. In case the suse.ins file is not located in the root directory of the server, provide the path to this file. Continue to the Select the software to load menu and select the suse.ins entry. Start the installation with OK.

Load from SCSI-Attached DVD

To IPL from a SCSI DVD, you need access to an FCP adapter connected to a DVD drive. You need values like the WWPN and LUN from the SCSI drive. For details, see Section 2.4.1.2, “IPL from FCP-Attached SCSI DVD”.