I am a newbie to Linux on z, but I have been given the go-ahead to install a
linux on z system subject to the constraints:
1) I keep it quiet to avoid offending our Solaris admins
2) do not invite fee-charging external consultants
3) not not install z/VM
4) do not compromise the integrity of existing Mainframe-based systems
I work for a retail company in England, and I have proposed making use of
our normally idle Disaster Recovery mainframe (a z990 3-x model) to install
either Suse or Red Hat Linux distributions.
I/we elected to use the Native LPAR install method, using the tape loader
and install DVD inserted into the HMC.
Native LPAR because we do not (currently!) have z/VM, and
tape loader (tapeipl.ikr, parmfile, etc on a cart), followed by installing
packages on the DVD within the HMC, because our D/R network is isolated so
that I can't access a suitable server.
(The Suse SLES10 SP1/SP2 install failed because of mismatch between the
TAPEIPL modules and the memory resident INITRD file system. I guess no one
at Suse/Novell thought anyone would install via a TAPEIPL in an native LPAR,
so did not test it... :-( )
So I tried RHEL 5.2 which looked much more promising...
RHEL 5.2 booted off the tape, and I specified the configuration paramteer
values, and then Anaconda install intialised itself.
However during the very first rpm package install of
system-config-services-0.9.4-1.e15.noarch.rpm, the following error message
dialog box is displayed:
Package Installation
Error
The file system-config-services-0.9.4-1.e15.noarch.rpm cannot be opened.
This is due to a missing file, a corrupt package, or a missing header
Please verify your installation source..
etc.
<REBOOT> <RETRY>
Now, I regestered myself on the Red Hat site, and downloaded a trial copy
of their distro.
I have noted the Installation Number, and I believe I have entered it in
correctly when I tried the install.
I have also been meticulous in checking the accurary of the DVD image when I
downloaded it (to a Windows Vista PC)
MD5 Verification:Run md5sum *.iso
I used Windows-Vista Roxio CD/DVD burner to burn the ISO image to a DVD..
I have tried running through the RHEL 5.1 install several times, specifying
different install packages, but rpm validity checking always fails when
attempting to install system-config-services (which I guess is always the
1st package to install).
I am at a loss to work out what the most likely cause of this error is:
1) invalid entering of Instalation Number (does rpm use this unique key?),
2) invalid or corrupt DVD (I would have thought unlikely, given that I
successfully extracted tapeipl.ikr and Initrd etc off it).
3) newbie ingnorance (a most likely cause?!)
I have *not* contacted Red Hat support directly, because I may get billed,
or an enterprising salesman may come knocking on my Department Managers
door.
In order to generate some interest in Linux on a Mainframe, I have to
demonstrate what is possible without resorting to:
additional software (z/VM), or
additional costs (experienced consultants).
Both software and consultants can come later - once I have generated
sufficient interest by demonstrating a real system.
I am submitting this post in the hope that a more experienced individual may
provide me with some pointers that will help me make a success of Linux on
Mainframe!
Regards
Rapp
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