1.3. Installation Process Overview

You can use one of several installation processes to install Directory Server. Each one guides you through the installation process and ensures that you install the various components in the correct order.

The sections that follow outline the installation processes available, how to upgrade from an earlier release of Directory Server, and how to unpack the software to prepare for installation.

1.3.1. Selecting an Installation Process

You can install Directory Server software using one of the four different installation methods provided in the setup program:

Express Installation

Use an express installation if you are installing for the purposes of evaluating or testing Directory Server. Express installation is described in Section 3.1 Installing on Solaris and HP-UX using an Express Installation.

Typical Installation

Use a typical installation if you are performing a normal installation of Directory Server. Typical installation is described in Section 3.2 Installing on Solaris and HP-UX using a Typical Installation.

Custom Installation

In Directory Server, the custom installation process is very similar to the typical installation process. The main difference is that the custom installation process allows you to import an LDIF file to initialize the user directory database that is created by default.

Silent Installation

Use a silent installation if you want to script your installation process. This is especially useful for installing multiple replica servers around your enterprise. Silent install is described in Chapter 4 Silent Installation and Instance Creation.

Beyond determining which type of installation process you will use, the process for installing Directory Server is as follows:

  1. Plan your directory service. By planning your directory tree in advance, you can design a service that is easy to manage and easy to scale as your organization grows. For guidance on planning your directory service, refer to the Red Hat Directory Server Deployment Guide.

  2. Install your Directory Server as described in this manual.

  3. Create the directory suffixes and databases. You do not have to populate your directory now; however, you should create the basic structure for your tree, including all major roots and branch points. For information about the different methods of creating a directory entry, refer to the Red Hat Directory Server Administration Guide.

  4. Create additional Directory Server instances, and set up replication agreements between your Directory Servers to ensure availability of your data.

1.3.2. Migration Process

Directory Server supports migration from previous releases of Directory Server. The migration process is described in Chapter 6 Migrating from Previous Versions.

1.3.3. Installing the Software

NoteNote
 

Before you install Directory Server, ensure that the host system is brought up to date with the latest patches recommended for Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Because the list of recommended patches changes with time, you must always use http://rhn.redhat.com to keep entitled systems current with the latest recommended patches.

How you install the software depends on whether you have the RPM or a tarball:

1.3.3.1. For RPMs...

If you have the product binaries RPM, install it with:

rpm -ivh filename.rpm

where filename corresponds to the product binaries that you want to install.

1.3.3.2. For tarballs...

If you have obtained Directory Server tarball from the website, you will need to unpack it before beginning installation.

  1. Create a new directory for the installation:

    mkdir ds
    cd ds
  2. Download the product binaries file to the installation directory.

  3. Unpack the product binaries file using the following command:

    gzip -dc filename.tar.gz | tar -xvof -

    where filename corresponds to the product binaries that you want to unpack.

1.3.4. Starting the ns-slapd Process

You will need to write an rc script to start the ns-slapd process, as it does not start automatically when the system boots.