Chapter 1. Introduction
Welcome to the Official Red Hat Linux Alpha Installation Guide. Once you have completed the installation as outlined in this manual, you will have a fully functioning Red Hat Linux operating system running on your Alpha.
How to Use This Manual
This manual focuses on the server-class and custom-class installation processes. It will help you prepare your system for the installation, and then walk you through the installation.
 | Please Note |
|---|---|
No graphical environment is installed during a server-class installation. If you want to install a graphical environment, you'll need to customize the installed packages or choose a different class of installation. |
If you are an experienced user who wants to perform a server-class installation but don't need a review of the basics, you can skip ahead to Chapter 3 to begin the installation process.
Many Alpha users will choose to perform a custom-class installation. A custom-class installation allows you to choose and configure every option for your system. Custom-class installations allow for the most flexible installation, but are not recommended for new users. If you choose a custom-class installation, you must be prepared to make decisions regarding the partitioning and configuration of your machine; the installation program will not make decisions for you.
Refer to the Red Hat Frequently Asked Questions for answers to questions and problems that may occur before, during, or after the installation. You'll find the FAQ online at the following URL:
http://www.redhat.com/support/docs/faqs/rhl_general_faq/FAQ.html |
| Upgrading |
|---|---|
If you currently use Red Hat Linux 3.0.3 (or greater), you can perform an upgrade. Skim through this chapter to review the basics, then read Chapter 3, following the directions as you go. Once you have chosen to perform an upgrade in the installation program, refer to Chapter 4. |
Document Conventions
When you read this manual, you'll see that certain words are represented in different fonts, typefaces, sizes and weights. This highlighting is systematic; different words are represented in the same style to indicate their inclusion in a specific category. The types of words that are represented this way include the following:
- Commands
Linux commands (and other operating system commands, when used) are represented in this style: command. This formatting should indicate to you that you can type in the word or phrase on the command line and press Enter to invoke a command. Sometimes a command contains words that would be displayed in a different style on their own (for example, filenames). In these cases, they are considered to be part of the command, so the entire phrase will be displayed as a command. For example:
Use the cat testfile command to view the contents of a file, named testfile, in the current working directory.
- Filenames
Filenames, directory names, paths, and RPM package names are represented in this style: filename, which should indicate that a particular file or directory exists by that name on your system. Examples:
The .bashrc file in your home directory contains bash shell definitions and aliases for your own use.
The /etc/fstab file contains information about different system devices and filesystems.
The /usr/share/doc directory contains documentation for various programs.
Install the webalizer RPM if you want to use a Web server log file analysis program.
- Applications
When you see a term displayed like application, it is an end-user application (as opposed to system software). For example:
Use Netscape Navigator to browse the Web.
- Keys
A key on the keyboard is shown in like this: key. For example:
To use Tab completion, type in a character and then press the Tab key. Your terminal will display the list of files in the directory that start with that letter.
- Combinations of keystrokes
A combination of keystrokes is represented like this: key-key. For example:
The Ctrl-Alt-Backspace key combination will stop the X Window System.
- Sequences of commands in Graphical User Interface (GUI) menus
If you need to type in a sequence of commands from a GUI menu, they'll be shown similar to the following example:
Click on Programs=>Applications=>Emacs to start the Emacs text editor.
Additionally, we use several different strategies to draw your attention to certain pieces of information. In order of how critical the information is to your system, these items will be marked as a note, a caution or a warning. For example:
| Note |
|---|---|
Remember that Linux is case sensitive. In other words, a rose is not a ROSE is not a rOsE. |
 | Caution |
|---|---|
Don't perform routine tasks as root — use a regular user account unless you need to use the root account to administer your system. |
 | Warning |
|---|---|
If you choose not to partition manually, a server-class installation will remove all existing partitions on all installed hard drives. Don't choose this installation class unless you're sure you have no data you need to save. |
We Need Feedback!
If you spot a typo in this manual, if you have input on how to explain the installation process, if there are topics that you'd like to see included, or if you've thought of a way to make it better, we'd love to hear from you! Be sure to mention the manual's identifier:
AlphaInst(EN)-7.0-HTML-RHI (2000-11-01T10:08-0400) |
If you include the identifier, we'll know exactly which version of the guide you have.
Please send mail to: <docs@redhat.com>
If you have a suggestion for improving the documentation, try to be as specific as possible when describing it. If you've found an error, please include the section number and some of the surrounding text so we can find it easily. We may not be able to respond to every message sent to us, but you can be sure that we'll be reading them all.
If you have a support question (for example, if you need help configuring X, or if you aren't sure how to partition your hard drive[s]), please register your product at http://www.redhat.com/now and use the online support system for those type of requests.