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5. Installation Notes

[Tip]Latest Release Notes on the Web

These release notes may be updated. Visit http://docs.fedoraproject.org/release-notes/ to view the latest release notes for Fedora.

[Important]Fedora Installation Guide

To learn how to install Fedora, refer to http://docs.fedoraproject.org/install-guide/.

[Tip]Installation issues not covered in these release notes

If you encounter a problem or have a question during installation that is not covered in these relese notes, refer to http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FAQ and http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Bugs/Common.

Anaconda is the name of the Fedora installer. This section outlines issues related to Anaconda and installing Fedora 7.

[Note]Downloading Large Files

If you intend to download the Fedora DVD ISO image, keep in mind that not all file downloading tools can accommodate files larger than 2 GiB in size. Tools without this limitation include wget 1.9.1-16 and above, curl, and ncftpget. BitTorrent is another method for downloading large files. For information about obtaining and using the torrent file, refer to http://torrent.fedoraproject.org/.

Anaconda tests the integrity of installation media by default. This function works with the CD, DVD, hard drive ISO, and NFS ISO installation methods. The Fedora Project recommends that you test all installation media before starting the installation process and before reporting any installation-related bugs. Many of the bugs reported are actually due to improperly-burned CDs. To use this test, type linux mediacheck at the boot: prompt.

The mediacheck function is highly sensitive, and may report some usable discs as faulty. This result is often caused by disc writing software that does not include padding when creating discs from ISO files. For best results with mediacheck, boot with the following option:

linux ide=nodma mediacheck 

After you complete the mediacheck function successfully, reboot to return DMA mode to its normal state. On many systems, this results in a faster installation process from the disc. You may skip the mediacheck option when rebooting.

[Important]BitTorrent Automatically Verifies File Integrity

If you use BitTorrent, any files you download are automatically validated. If your file completes downloading, you do not need to check it. Once you burn your CD, however, you should still use mediacheck.

You may perform memory testing before you install Fedora by entering memtest86 at the boot: prompt. This option runs the Memtest86 stand alone memory testing software in place of Anaconda. Memtest86 memory testing continues until the Esc key is pressed.

[Note]Memtest86 Availability

You must boot from Installation Disc 1 or a rescue CD in order to use this feature.

Fedora 7 supports graphical FTP and HTTP installations. However, the installer image must either fit in RAM or appear on local storage, such as Installation Disc 1. Therefore, only systems with more than 192MiB of RAM, or which boot from Installation Disc 1, can use the graphical installer. Systems with 192MiB RAM or less fall back to using the text-based installer automatically. If you prefer to use the text-based installer, type linux text at the boot: prompt.

5.1. Changes in Anaconda

  • Many minor user interface changes:

    • Ability to select the boot drive

    • Advanced storage options, including the ability to add an iSCSI target and disable dmraid devices

    • The time zone page includes a magnification slider to zoom into different areas of the world when choosing location

  • Improved LiveCD support

  • Ability to install from Live image running from RAM or USB stick

  • Improved IEEE-1394 (Firewire) support

  • Improved installation for Sony PlayStation 3

  • French keyboard layout uses latin9

  • Improved kickstart installation

5.2. Installation Related Issues

5.2.1. Sony VAIO Notebooks

Some Sony VAIO notebook systems may experience problems installing Fedora from CD-ROM. If this happens, restart the installation process and add the following option to the boot command line:

pci=off ide1=0x180,0x386 

Installation should proceed normally, and any devices not detected are configured the first time Fedora is booted.

5.2.2. IDE RAID

Not all IDE RAID controllers are supported. If your RAID controller is not yet supported by dmraid, you may combine drives into RAID arrays by configuring Linux software RAID. For supported controllers, configure the RAID functions in the computer BIOS.

5.2.3. Multiple NICs and PXE Installation

Some servers with multiple network interfaces may not assign eth0 to the first network interface as BIOS knows it, which can cause the installer to try using a different network interface than was used by PXE. To change this behavior, use the following in pxelinux.cfg/* config files:

IPAPPEND 2 
APPEND ksdevice=bootif

The configuration options above causes the installer to use the same network interface as BIOS and PXE use. You can also use the following option:

ksdevice=link 

This option causes the installer to use the first network device it finds that is linked to a network switch.

5.2.4. Compaq DL360 with Smart Array

If you have difficulties with this installation not detecting the Smart Array card, try entering linux isa on the installer prompt. This lets you manually select the card.

5.3. Upgrade Related Issues

Refer to http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/DistributionUpgrades for detailed recommended procedures for upgrading Fedora.

In general, fresh installations are recommended over upgrades, particularly for systems that include software from third-party repositories. Third-party packages remaining from a previous installation may not work as expected on an upgraded Fedora system. If you decide to perform an upgrade anyway, the following information may be helpful:

  • Before you upgrade, back up the system completely. In particular, preserve /etc, /home, and possibly /opt and /usr/local if customized packages are installed there. You may wish to use a multi-boot approach with a "clone" of the old installation on alternate partition(s) as a fallback. In that case, create alternate boot media, such as a GRUB boot floppy.

    [Tip]System Configuration Backups

    Backups of configurations in /etc are also useful in reconstructing system settings after a fresh installation.

  • After you complete the upgrade, run the following command:

  • rpm -qa --last > RPMS_by_Install_Time.txt 
    

    Inspect the end of the output for packages that pre-date the upgrade. Remove or upgrade those packages from third-party repositories, or otherwise deal with them as necessary.

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