The Software Installation Administrator's Guide explains how to install Silicon Graphics® software products using Inst, the command line interface to the installation utility, inst(1M). This guide introduces readers to Silicon Graphics software release conventions and explains how to plan, execute, and maintain a software installation on Silicon Graphics workstations and servers. The Software Installation Administrator's Guide provides instructions for performing conventional installations and specialized installations that rely on system firmware (miniroot installations).
As of IRIX™ 5.3, the inst utility includes Software Manager, a graphical user interface to installation. Software Manager is documented separately in the Personal System Administration Guide.
Because of its graphical features, Software Manager cannot be used for miniroot installations. To perform miniroot installations, use Inst and the instructions provided in Chapter 3 of this guide. Information in Chapter 1 explains how to determine whether a miniroot installation is necessary.
The installation utility can be customized with a set of preferences that apply to Inst and to Software Manager. Use Chapter 8 as a comprehensive reference for specifying preferences and for managing the configuration files that store preference settings for both interfaces.
The Software Installation Administrator's Guide does not explain how to install software for diskless operation. Please refer to the Diskless Workstation Administration Guide for instructions on installing diskless systems.
The Software Installation Administrator's Guide is organized into nine chapters and an appendix, which provide this information:
| Chapter 1, “Introduction” |
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| Chapter 2, “Preparing for Installation” |
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| Chapter 3, “Starting a Miniroot Installation” |
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| Chapter 4, “Starting a Live Installation” |
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| Chapter 5, “Using Inst” |
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| Chapter 6, “Inst for Experts” |
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| Chapter 7, “Maintenance Tips” |
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| Chapter 8, “Tailoring Inst Operation” |
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| Chapter 9, “Inst Command Reference” |
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| Appendix A, “Installation Troubleshooting” |
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The audience for the Software Installation Administrator's Guide is experienced UNIX® system and site administrators who are responsible for installing software on various models of Silicon Graphics workstations and servers. This guide may also be used by individual workstation owners as a comprehensive guide to software installation.
Procedures in this guide require these proficiencies:
For routine installations, experience with a command line interface and familiarity with UNIX documentation conventions
For site preparation procedures, competence with managing servers and communications between network nodes
For advanced troubleshooting and installing on systems with non-standard filesystem configurations, proficiency with UNIX filesystem management
This document uses standard UNIX conventions when referring to IRIX reference pages. A command name is followed by a section number in parentheses. For example, mkfs(1M) refers to the mkfs command entry in Section 1M of the IRIX reference pages.
In text descriptions, filenames, directory names, commands, and command arguments appear in italics. Screen text, command syntax descriptions, and user entries follow these conventions:
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Refer to the documents listed below for supplementary information.
IRIX Advanced Site and Server Administration Guide for information on IRIX filesystem management and on system and network administration.
The owner's guide to target systems for specific information on using the services of the programmable read-only memory (PROM).
Personal System Administration Guide for instructions on using the Software Manager.
Diskless Workstation Administration Guide for information on installing software for diskless clients.