Red Hat Linux includes four different classes, or types of installations. They
are:
Workstation -- A workstation-class installation
is most appropriate if you are new to the world of Linux, and would
like to give it a try. By answering a few installation questions,
you can be up and running Red Hat Linux in no time!
Server -- A server-class installation is most
appropriate for you if you'd like your system to function as a
Linux-based server, and you don't want to heavily customize your
system configuration.
Custom -- A custom-class installation allows you
the greatest flexibility during your installation. You choose your
partitioning scheme, which packages you want and more. Custom-class
installations are most appropriate for users who are very familiar
with Red Hat Linux installations and for those afraid of losing complete
control over every aspect of the installation.
Upgrade -- If you already have a version of Red Hat Linux
2.0 (or greater) running on your system and you want to quickly
update to the latest packages and kernel version, then an upgrade is
most appropriate for you.
Please Note
The custom-class installation allows you the most flexibility. The
workstation- and server-class installations go through the
installation process for you and omit certain steps. However,
partitioning control has been added to workstation and server-class
installations, so you can now partition your drives manually during
these types of installations, if you so desire.
These classes give you the option of simplifying the installation
process (with some potential for loss of configuration flexibility), or
retaining flexibility with a slightly more complex installation process.
Let's take a detailed look at each class, so you can determine which one
is right for you.
You can choose from two types of workstation-class installations:
The GNOME Workstation installation is for
a system that will be used primarily as a workstation. The GNOME
GUI desktop environment is installed and the system is
configured to start GNOME when the system boots. If you choose
not to manually partition, the installation program deletes all
data in all existing Linux partitions, decides how to partition
the disk for the new version, and chooses which software
packages to load.
The KDE Workstation installation is for a
system that will be used primarily as a workstation. The KDE GUI
desktop environment is installed and the system is configured to
start KDE when the system boots. If you choose not to manually
partition, the installation program deletes all data in all
existing Linux partitions, decides how to partition the disk for
the new version, and chooses which software packages to load.
Please Note
Unlike previous workstation-class installations, performing a Red Hat Linux
6.2 workstation-class installation will not install the network
daemon inetd. Not installing
inetd results in a more secure installation;
however, network-related services such as finger,
telnet, talk, and
ftp will not work. If you require these types of
services, choose a server or a custom-class installation.
If you choose not to partition manually, a
workstation-class installation removes all
Linux-related partitions on all installed hard
drives (and uses all free unpartitioned disk space) to create the
following partitions:
A 64MB swap partition.
A variably-sized (the exact size is dependent on your available
disk space) root partition (mounted as /)
in which all other files are stored.
Older SPARCs and Alphas will get a 16MB partition (mounted as
/boot) for the Linux kernel and
related files. Newer SPARC and Alpha machines won't get this
partition, because they don't need it.
This approach to disk partitioning results in the simplest
filesystem configuration possible.
Please Note
You will need at least 700MB of free disk space in order to perform a
workstation-class installation.
Caution
A workstation-class installation will remove
all existing Linux partitions on all hard
drives in your system.
During the server-class installation, the X Window System is
not configured and no GUI desktop
environment will be loaded when the system boots. The
installation program deletes all data in
all existing partitions of any kind, decides how
to partition the disk for the new version, and chooses which software
packages to load.
If you choose not to partition manually, a
server-class installation removes ALL existing
partitions on ALL installed hard
drives, so choose this installation class only if you're
sure you have nothing you want saved! When the installation is
complete, you'll find the following partitions:
A 64MB swap partition.
A 256MB partition (mounted as /).
A partition of at least 512MB (mounted as
/usr).
A partition of at least 512MB (mounted as
/home).
A 256MB partition (mounted as
/var).
A 16MB partition (mounted as /boot) in which
the Linux kernel and related files are kept.
This approach to disk partitioning results in a reasonably flexible
filesystem configuration for most server-class tasks.
Please Note
You will need at least 1.8 GB of free disk space in order to
perform a server-class installation.
Caution
A server-class installation will remove ALL existing
partitions of ANY type on ALL existing hard drives of your
system. All drives will be erased of all information
and existing operating systems, whether they are Linux
partitions or not!
As you might guess from the name, a custom-class installation puts the
emphasis on flexibility. During a custom-class installation,
you can choose how disk space should be
partitioned. You have complete control over which packages will be
installed on your system.
If you do a custom installation and choose to install everything, you
will need a minimum of 1.7 GB of free space on your system.
This section covers those installation steps that are
only seen when performing a custom-class
installation.
The following list may help those of you who are trying to decide
which installation class will suit your needs. If you think you'll
have trouble performing any of the tasks on this list, you should
not perform a custom-class installation without reading through this
manual and clarifying any questions you may have.
Creating Partitions -- In the custom-class installation you have
to specify where you want Red Hat Linux to be installed. (You also have
the option of manually partitioning during
the workstation and server-class installations.)
Formatting Partitions -- All newly created partitions must be
formatted. Any partitions that contain old data (data you no
longer need or want) should be formatted. (If you chose to
manually partition during your workstation or server-class
installation, you will need to choose which partitions to
format.)
Selecting and Installing Packages -- This is performed after
your partitions have been configured and selected for
formatting. Here you may select groups of packages, individual
packages, a combination of the two, or choose an "everything"
install.
Upgrading Red Hat Linux 2.0 (or greater) will not delete any existing
data. The installation program updates the modular 2.2.x kernel and
all currently installed software packages. See Chapter 5 and Chapter 7 for instructions
on upgrading.
