270 IBM System Storage N series Hardware Guide
OS kernel
After a kernel is selected, the second stage boot loader locates the kernel binary and loads
into memory the initial RAM disk image. The kernel then checks and configures hardware and
peripherals, and extracts the initial RAM disk image into load drivers and modules that are
needed to boot the system. It also mounts the root device.
Continue system start
After the kernel and its modules are loaded, a high-level system initialization is run by the
/sbin/init program. This program is the parent process of all other subsequent start
processes. The /sbin/init program runs /etc/rc.d/rc.sysinit and its corresponding
scripts. This process is followed by running /etc/inittab, /etc/rc.d/init.d/functions, and
the appropriate rc directory as configured in /etc/inittab. For example, if the default
runlevel in /etc/inittab is configured as runlevel 5, /sbin/init runs scripts under the
/etc/rc.d/rc5.d/ directory.
Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.2
The installation process that is described here assumes that the server does not have any
special hardware (SCSI card or HBA) that requires a specific Linux driver. If you have a
device driver that you must load during the installation process, enter Linux dd at the
installation boot prompt before the installation wizard is loaded.
The installation process is similar to local disk installation. To set up a Linux SAN boot,
complete the following steps:
1. Insert the Linux installation CD and reboot the host. During the installation, you can see
the LUN and install the OS on it.
2. Click Next and follow the installation wizard as you normally do with a local disk
installation.
LUNs that are connected that use a block protocol (for example, iSCSI or FCP) to Linux hosts
might require special partition alignment for best performance. For more information, see this
website:
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ssg1S1002716&rs=573
Tip: RHEL5 can now detect, create, and install to dm-multipath devices during installation.
To enable this feature, add the parameter mpath to the kernel boot line. At the initial Linux
installation panel, enter linux mpath and press Enter to start the Red Hat installation.
Attention: After you successfully install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.2, add the remaining
WWPN for all other HBAs to the igroup and install the FCP Linux Host Utilities.
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