Nexenta Core Platform (NexentaCP) is an OpenSolaris distribution for your x86/x64 servers - with fast and easy-to-install timely 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 and Open Source Software (OSS). Each new release incorporates new features and bug fixes from the global development community.
System Requirements
NexentaCP currently requires:
- 32- or 64-bit x86/x64 platform
- at least 256MB RAM
- permanent storage of at least 2GiB 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, the NexentaCP Installer consists of several simple dialogs. Here is a quick introduction to the keys that Installer understands, and the corresponding actions.
Use:
- UP and DOWN arrows - to navigate up and down between input fields and check boxes;
- 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
To install NexentaCP on permanent storage or to upgrade your system, download and burn a bootable InstallCD image. Note that we supply zipped InstallCD ISO. Make sure to unzip it prior to burning. Make sure to check its size and/or MD5 prior to uncompressing. Visit our Download page for more details.
Below are some example steps; we have 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 VirtualBox virtual machine environment with 768MB RAM and two 16GB SATA drives.
Login In
You will be greeted by the GRUB screen:
Unless you wish to perform some debugging, simply select the default option. The OS will then start booting...
Typically, after less than a minute, it will display the the Installer's Welcome screen:
Step 2: Starting Nexenta Core Platform Installation
You can "poke around" prior to the installation. Hitting the F2 key will get you into a shell:
The keys F1, F2, and F3 shown at the bottom allow you to do things in parallel with the installation by switching between screens. In particular, F3 allows you to watch installation progress via a detailed log:
Step 2.1: Configuring Keyboard Layout
Select the layout of your keyboard:
Step 2.2: Configuring Time Zone
The NexentaCP Installer makes it possible to interactively configure the appropriate time zone during installation and upgrade. Once rebooted, the system will come up with the correct local time.
The following 3 screenshots simply illustrate time zone configuration for the Eastern U.S.:
You will need to confirm the selected time zone:
Step 3: Selecting Boot Device and Creating NexentaOS Partition
At this point, the installer will enumerate available bootable drives:
The NexentaCP Installer can perform installation in the automated mode. Manual installation remains an option but unless you are completely comfortable with low-level fdisk and format operations, manual installation is not advisable. And even if you are comfortable doing so, please consider first taking a look on the related resources, which include instance "Install, Upgrade & Boot" Section of the Frequently Asked Questions and our Forum or mailing lists.
To proceed in the automated mode, select one or more bootable devices by hitting the SPACEBAR, and then press ENTER.
At this point it is not too late to change your mind, no harm done yet. Confident that you do want to install Nexenta? Then hit ENTER.
And let the Installer do its work:
Entering root password and creating non-root user
After installing the base software, the Installer will ask you to specify a root password:
Note that the root password does not have to be empty.
Next, the Installer will ask you to create a non-root user account:
Prior to committing the changes, you can still go back and redo:
Configuring Host, Domain, and Network
The Installer will proceed on to configure the hostname, domain name, and network interface:
The final step
Updating the boot-archive is the last phase of the installation:
Prior to this, you do not have a working system, and if you try to reboot, it will fail, and you will have to re-install from scratch. Once this step finishes, NexentaCP is installed on your system. You may now reboot:
Alternatively, you can say No and poke around for a bit. If you think everything is installed to your satisfaction, select Yes and press ENTER. Do not forget to eject the InstallCD.
After rebooting and logging in, run apt-get update as root to update the package database so you can install programs with apt-get install.
Feedback
We need your feedback. Please let us know how your installation or upgrade goes, what could be improved, and what problems you have encountered.
Enjoy, and thanks for using NexentaCP!
