Getting Started

Nexenta Core Platform (NexentaCP) is an OpenSolaris distribution for your x86/x64 servers - with a fast and easy-to-install regular releases and a selection of tightly-integrated excellent applications. All software packages are available from our network-based APT repository. Please visit the Packages page to search, browse, evaluate, and try-out.

NexentaCP includes the best free Open Source Software (OSS). Each new release incorporates new features and bug fixes from the global development community.

Contents

  1. System Requirements
  2. Installation
    1. Step #1: Loading HDD Installation CD
      1. Logging In
    2. Step #2: Starting Nexenta Core Platform Installation
    3. Step #2.1: Configuring Time Zone
    4. Step #3: Selecting Bootable Device and Creating NexentaOS Partition
      1. Creating root password and non-root user
      2. Configuring Host, Domain, and Network
      3. The final step
  3. Feedback

System Requirements

NexentaCP currently requires 32- or 64-bit x86/x64 platform with at least 256MB RAM, and a CD-ROM drive. For the latest updates on hardware-related issues, see the Release Notes in our Download page.

Installation

From the user perspective, NexentaCP Installer consists of several simple dialogs. Here's a quick introduction: keys that Installer understands, and the corresponding actions.

Use:

  • Up and Down arrows - to navigate up and down between input fields and checkboxes;
  • SPACEBAR - to mark your selection;

  • TAB - to move to a command at the bottom of the screen (e.g., <Select>), and between the commands;

  • Enter - to execute, and proceed to the next step.

Step #1: Loading HDD Installation CD

For installing on a hard drive or upgrading your system, download and burn a bootable InstallCD image. Note that we supply gzipped InstallCD ISO. Make sure to gunzip it prior to burning. Make sure to check its size and/or MD5 prior to uncompressing. Visit our Download page for more details.

The InstallCD requires that the target machine have at least 128MB RAM, as well as a CD-ROM drive.

Below are some example steps; we've highlighted the areas of interest on the screenshots to help illustrate the corresponding procedure. The system we use for the steps below consists of a VMware virtual machine environment with 512MB RAM and 8GB IDE drive.

Logging In

You will be greeted by the GRUB screen:

Unless you wish to perform some debugging, simply invoke the default selection. The OS will then start booting...

Until finally it'll come up with the the Installer's Welcome screen:

From start to that point the installation typically takes less than a minute.

Step #2: Starting Nexenta Core Platform Installation

You could "poke around" prior to the installation. Hitting F2 key will get you into shell:

Keys F1, F2, and F3 shown at the bottom allow to do things in parallel with the installation by switching between screens. In particular, F3 allows to watch installation progress via detailed log:

Step #2.1: Configuring Time Zone

NexentaCP Installer makes it possible to interactively configure appropriate time zone during installation and upgrade. Once rebooted, the system will come up with the right local time.

The time zone management facility welcomes you with the folowing screen:

The following 3 screenshots simply illustrate time zone configuration for Western U.S.:

Based on the input, the Installer figures the local time. The result needs to be confirmed:

The local time can be also modified:

Step #3: Selecting Bootable Device and Creating NexentaOS Partition

At this point, the installer will enumerate available bootable drives:

NexentaCP Installer can perform installation in the automated mode. Manual installation remains an option but unless you are completely comfortable with the low-level fdisk and format operation, manual installation is not advisable. And even if this is the case, please consider first taking a look on the related resources, which include instance "Install, Upgrade & Boot" Section of the frequently asked questions" and our mailing lists.

To proceed in the automated mode, select a bootable device by hitting SPACEBAR, and then press Enter.

Confirm that you do want to use the selected device for NexentaCP:

It's not late at this point to change your mind: no harm done yet.

Confident that you do want to install Nexenta? Than hit Enter:

And let the Installer do its work:

While it run, you can inspect the system via F2 and F3 keys:

Creating root password and non-root user

After installing the base software, the Installer will ask you to specify root password and create non-root account.

Note that the root password does not have to be empty.

To create a non-root user account, specify a username, and then password:

Prior to committing the changes, if you changed your mind you can go back and redo:

Configuring Host, Domain, and Network

Following that, the Installer will proceed on to configure host, domain, and network:

The final step

Updating boot-archive is the last phase of the installation:

This is the final step. Prior to that you don't have a working system, and if you try to reboot, it'll fail, and you'll have to re-install from scratch. But once this step finishes, the entire lengthy operation is done.

NexentaCP is installed on your system. You may now reboot:

Alternatively you can say No and poke around for a bit. For instance, display the list of installed packages:

If you think everything is installed OK, press Yes:

Don't forget to eject the InstallCD afterwards.

Feedback

We need your feedback. Please let us know how your installation or upgrade goes, what could be improved, and what problems you've encountered.

Enjoy, and thanks for using NexentaCP!