Chapter 3. Installing Red Hat Linux via Text Mode

This release of Red Hat Linux features a graphical, mouse-based installation program, but you can also install Red Hat Linux using a text mode, keyboard-based installation program. This chapter briefly explains how to use the text mode installation program. Here are some recommendations:

• If you are new to Linux installations, read Chapter 2 first. The main focus of that chapter is the graphical installation process, but most of the concepts apply to the text mode installation as well. After reading that chapter, the Section called Things You Should Know will give you more information regarding the aspects of installing Red Hat Linux that do not apply to the graphical installation process.

• If you have never used the text mode installation program, or need a refresher on its user interface, read the next sections.

• To begin installation without further delay, turn to the Section called Running the Installation Program.

Things You Should Know

Before attempting to install Red Hat Linux, you should collect information about your system. This information will help prevent any surprises during the installation. You can find most of this information in the documentation that came with your system, or from the system's vendor or manufacturer.

Network-related Information

If you are connected to a network, be sure you know the following:

• IP address — usually represented as a set of four numbers separated by dots, such as 10.0.2.15.

• Netmask — another set of four numbers separated by dots; an example netmask would be 255.255.248.0.

• Gateway IP address — another set of four dot-separated numbers; for example, 10.0.2.254.

• One or more name server IP addresses — one or more sets of dot-separated numbers; for example, 10.0.2.1 might be the address of a name server.

• Domain name — the name your organization uses; for example, Red Hat has a domain name of redhat.com.

• Hostname — the name assigned to your individual system; for example, a computer might be named pooh.

	Note
	The information provided here is as an example only! Do not use it when you install Red Hat Linux! If you do not know the proper values for your network, ask your network administrator.