Installation and Operation of eMail Server II with a Newer Kernel

Support knowledgebase (lmuelle_emailserver_newkernel)

Situation

You have to install and run your eMail Server II with a newer kernel because one of your hardware components is not supported.

Procedure

The boot floppy disk of a SuSE Linux version that supports your hardware is required for the installation. To create this floppy disk, please proceed as described in ke_suse-bootdisk.html. You should usually be able to manage with the standard boot disk, since all additional drivers are available as modules. If necessary, use the same method to create further floppy disks with the driver modules.

Start the installation with the boot floppy disk and select a text-based installation by entering and confirming the word manual within three seconds after the message boot: is displayed.

After having carried out the usual language and screen settings, proceed now to load the driver modules missing in the SuSE eMail Server's installation system. If necessary, the module floppy disk will be requested. Select the required driver module and enter the corresponding parameters if applicable.

Exit now from the module menue, insert the first CD of SuSE eMail Server, and start the installation from the CD. Now you can choose whether to use YaST1 (text modus) or YaST2 (graphical modus) for the installation.

It is advisable to use the graphical installation, since the specific eMail Server configuration will not be properly executed when using YaST1. In case you depend on YaST1, please proceed as described in http://support.suse.de/en/sdb/html/kngu_i2_basedn.html after having successfully completed the installation.

Once the installation is completed and the system announces its reboot, start with the boot floppy disk as described above and force the text modus again. Load all necessary driver modules once more and start the previously installed system from the main menue.

Wait in case an additional installation of single packages is necessary. Then login as root in the text console, insert the installation source of the SuSE Linux version that supports your hardware, and start YaST.

Select the installation source through

Adjustments of installation -> Select installation medium
and install the kernel of your choice through the menue entries
System administration -> Kernel and boot configuration -> Select boot kernel

In case your root file system is located in a device of SuSE eMail Server that was not supported so far, please check that the variable INITRD_MODULES of /etc/rc.config in your eMail Server system includes the corresponding driver module. ".o" must not be appended to any single entry.

If the entry for the appropriate driver module is missing, you will have to provide a proper initial ramdisk and a suitable lilo configuration by hand. This can be done in YaST with:

System administration -> Kernel and boot configuration -> LILO configuration
At this stage, please make sure that the modutils corresponding to the kernel of your choice are installed. The necessary package can be found in the a series of your selected installation medium.

Some background information regarding the initial ramdisk can be found at adrian_6.3_boot.html and initrd.html.

Please note that we can only provide a restricted installation support for a system with these modifications. However, you are welcome to refer to our Advanced Support Service any time. You can find further information at http://www.suse.de/en/services/support/.


See also:
o Booting with the initial ramdisk

Keywords: EMAIL, SERVER, IMAP, KERNEL

Categories: Installation

Feedback welcome: Send Mail to lmuelle@suse.de (Please give the following subject: SDB-lmuelle_emailserver_newkernel)
SDB-lmuelle_emailserver_newkernel, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 07. Jan 2002
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 10. Mai 2002 by ip (sdb_gen 1.40.0)