Red Hat 7.1 Network Install
Install Linux via an FTP server (RedHat 7.1)
Posted 19.08.2003 | Updated 23.05.2006 | Contributed by Andy Mallett


There are a number of methods for installing Red Hat Linux, the more common being from the bootable installation CD. This article shows how to install Red Hat 7.1 from an FTP Server containing the installation files.

Part 1. Creating the Network Installation Boot Disk

Grab LinuxBoot.exe [1.39M] from the NBS archives and download it to a directory on the hard disk. Double click on this self-extracting zip file and extract the files rawrite.exe and bootnet.img. Open a command prompt window logged onto the same directory and type the following:

rawrite -f bootnet.img -d a:

1] Insert the Linux boot floppy into the destination computer and reboot. Press ENTER to start..

  • Choose a language - ENTER for "English"


  • Keyboard Type - ENTER for "US"


  • Installation Method - ARROW down to "FTP", ENTER


  • Configure TCP/IP - SPACEBAR for "Use Dynamic IP..", TAB to OK, ENTER


  • FTP Setup - FTP Site Name: Type 172.25.72.168 [ENTER]


  • Red Hat Directory: . [yes, literally a full-stop]


  • Tab to OK [ENTER] - [DON'T check "Use non-anonymous ftp"]

Part 2 - Performing the Network Installation

2] Welcome to Red Hat Linux! Select OK

3] Custom System [ENTER]

4] Select Disk Druid

5] Current Disk Partitions: Tab to DELETE. Remove all partitions [DELETE, etc..]

6] ADD -> Mount point: / -> TAB to Size: 3000M -> TAB to OK [ENTER]

7] ADD -> TAB to Size: 256M -> Tabx2 to Type: Linux Swap -> Tabx2 to OK [ENTER]

8] Tabx3 to OK [ENTER]

9] Save changes YES

10] Choose Partitions to Format: Tab to OK

11] LILO Configuration: Tab to OK -> Tab to OK -> Tab to OK

12] Hostname: Type a UNIQUE name for your machine -> OK

13] Firewall Configuration: Tab to No firewall and press SPACEBAR [*] tab to OK

14] Mouse Selection: Tab to OK

15] Language Support: UPARROW to English (Australia), SPACEBAR to select

15] DOWNARROW to English (USA), SPACEBAR to deselect -> Tab to OK

16] Default Language: UPARROW to English (Australia), Tab to OK

17] Time Zone: Tab -> PAGEDOWNx30 -> UPARROWx3 to Australia/Hobart -> Tab to OK

18] Turn Caps Lock off. Carefully Enter a password twice and REMEMBER IT! OK
Note: Your password is case sensitive. Type it with care. If you forget your password (and 10% of first-timers do!) you will have to reinstall Linux. You alone are responsible for this.

19] Add User: Type in a username [you] and password for a standard user -> OK

20] User Account Setup: Additional users can be added or tab to OK

21] Authentication Configuration: Tab to OK

Nearly finished! - Package Group Selection. These are the programs you will be using to pass the assessment. Options may vary acording to individual class instructions..

22] Uncheck Gnome, Select KDE

23] Select DOS/Windows Connectivity

24] Uncheck Networked Workstation

25] Uncheck Dialup Workstation

26] Select SMB Samba Server

27] Select Web Server

28] Select Utilities -> Tab to OK

28] X probe results: -> OK

29] Installation to begin: -> OK

Main installation should take approximately 20 minutes, depending on how many other people are installing at the same time [good time for a coffee break..]

30] Bootdisk: No

31] Monitor Probe: Yes

# The next bit can vary depending on the monitor found..

# 32a] If Video Memory: 16mb -> Tab to OK

# 32b] If Screen config (probe) -> select OK

# 32c] If Clockchip Configuration: No Clockchip Setting (Recommended) -> Tab to OK

# 32d] If 'Probing finished' -> select 'Let Me Choose'

33] Select Video Modes: Set all three 8, 16 and 24 bits to 1024x768 [or 800x600 if req.] -> OK

34] Starting X -> OK

35] In X-Windows, click on YES button if you can see it, but..

36] Click NO to automatically start X on reboot

37] OK! Remove floppy disk as computer reboots to Red Hat Linux

root is the name of the chief user for the system, like Administrator in MS Windows. Log in as username root and with root's password. You're in! Welcome to the command line..