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Creating a Customized Boot CD/DVD for the Solaris Operating System for x86 Platforms



Category: Jumpstart
Publication Date: 12/2005
Author(s): John Cecere and Dana Fagerstrom

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This article explains the mechanics of the boot process on the Solaris Operating System for x86 platforms so that you understand what is needed to create a customized CD/DVD. It discusses both the hard disk and CD/DVD boot processes, and points out the differences between the two.

There are a number of practical applications for this topic, including:

  • Jumpstart Software — The feature in Solaris that allows access to Solaris installation media and configuration rules over a network
  • Diagnostics — The ability to create a bootable CD for the purpose of diagnosing system problems without accessing or modifying the copy of the operating system that is installed on the target system
  • Restoration — The ability to create a bootable CD with tools that aid in the repair and restoration of a down system
  • Diskless clients that cannot do PXE booting—PXE is a DHCP-based network-based installation technology similar to Solaris Jumpstart. Some older x86-based system are incapable of using PXE
  • Canned Firewall—The creation of a bootable CD that starts Solaris on a system configured with multiple network interfaces. A preset ipf configuration is then used to establish a network firewall on that system.
This article begins by examining the layout of a hard disk in the x86 architecture and the components on it that are used for booting. It then describes the pieces that are unique to a CD boot. Finally, this article puts the pieces together and creates an image file that can be burned to CD.

Note: This article is available in PDF Format only.


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