Step by step guide install CentOS 5.5 with network install

New class has started and I try to give my student new experince. During my search I found new thing that I think they like to try. Network installation would be good for next lesson. I ever try it few years ago with Linux Mandrake. Create diskette boot and perform installation from network server where all required files has already copied.

Nowadays, its rare to see computer with floppy disk as slowly replaced by usb flash disk. Ok, I decide to try install CentOS 5.5 with network install mode.

Here the steps :

Download CentOS 5.5  iso file

Get from nearest mirror by visit this link.

Pick one mirror and you should see the list.

[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-LiveCD-Release2.iso             05-Jun-2010 00:49  685M
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-LiveCD-Release2.md5sum          05-Jun-2010 07:35   70
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-1of7.iso                    30-Apr-2010 08:34  624M
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-1to7.torrent                14-May-2010 23:32  313K
[TXT] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-1to7.torrent.md5sum.txt     14-May-2010 23:32   67
[TXT] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-1to7.torrent.md5sum.txt.asc 14-May-2010 23:32  303
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-2of7.iso                    30-Apr-2010 08:35  622M
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-3of7.iso                    30-Apr-2010 08:35  630M
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-4of7.iso                    30-Apr-2010 08:35  619M
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-5of7.iso                    30-Apr-2010 08:35  630M
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-6of7.iso                    30-Apr-2010 08:35  637M
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-7of7.iso                    30-Apr-2010 08:35  232M
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-DVD.iso                     11-May-2010 17:59  3.9G
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-DVD.torrent                 14-May-2010 23:32  312K
[TXT] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-DVD.torrent.md5sum.txt      14-May-2010 23:32   66
[TXT] CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-DVD.torrent.md5sum.txt.asc  14-May-2010 23:32  302
[   ] CentOS-5.5-i386-netinstall.iso 30-Apr-2010 08:27  9.5M

Pick netinstall.iso file and save to your computer. Burn to CD and use it for install.

CentOS Virtual Machine setting

I use Vmware for this post and after point CD-ROM to this iso file I start run the machine.

Type : linux text and hit ENTER key on your keyboard.

Choose a Language

By default system pick English as language for installation process.

Use tab key to move to OK button.

Keyboard Type

Just follow it, I use us keyboard and move to other page by press OK button.

Installation Method

Choose what type of media contains the packages to be installed, I use HTTP.

Click OK to continue.

Configure TCP/IP

I enable IPv4 support and disable IPv6.

I also choose to Configure Manually.

Hit OK.

Manual TCP/IP Configuration

I want use the following :

IPv4 address : 192.168.12.109 netmask 255.255.255.0 . ( Enter 24 if you want to use CIDR style prefix)

Gateway : 192.168.12.1

Name Server : 192.168.12.1

Hit OK.

HTTP Setup

This section is the core thing that need special attention.

Web site name ; enter address of mirror that close to your place.

CentOS directory : /centos/5.5/os/i386

Tips :

If you have this mirror close to you

http://mirror.nus.edu.sg/centos/5.5/os/i386/

You can enter

Web site name : mirror.nus.edu.sg

CentOS directory : /centos/5.5/os/i386

Hit OK.

This screen will appear if enter right information as installer will fetch the image.

Would you like to use VNC

Choose “Use text mode”

Hit Enter.

Hard Disk Configuration

In general good server will not share its hard disk. Choose Yes when you see this display.

Partition Type

Choose “Remove all partition on selected drives and create default layout”

Hit OK.

Warning

Hit Yes to remove all partition.

Review Partition Layout

Hit No.

Configure Network Interface

Click Yes.

make sure to choose activate on boot and enable IPv4.

Review the information, change the information and hit OK when you’re ready.

Miscellaneous Network Settings

I add Google public DNS : 8.8.8.8

Hit OK.

Enter hostname manually in hostname configuration.

Time Zone Selection

Choose one and hit OK.

Pick a root password twice and hit OK.

Package selection

Choose only “Server”  and hit OK.

The installer will fetch file required, depend on your internet connection speed. I have ADSL package with 384 kbit/s 🙂

Complete.

CentOS installation is complete. It took around 4,5 hours for me 🙂

Hit Reboot to reboot the server.

CentOS 5.5 is ready to serve. I’ll write more post around CentOS subject. Feel excited with new experience 🙂

Stay health!

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