Boot manager

Once you have inserted the installation media on the server where you are going to install the flexVDI distribution, you will need to restart the system by selecting this media as the boot device. The way to do it changes from server to server, so if you have questions about this procedure you should consult the hardware manufacturer documentation.

If selecting the installation media as boot device works properly, you should see the screen of the boot manager. Press enter, or wait 60 seconds, to start the installation process.

Loading the installer

After starting the operating system, the installer needs to locate and load its graphical module. This process is performed though a few screens in text mode.

To move between options, use the arrows, tab and enter keys.

Verifying the installation media (DVD only)

You can start an automatic verification process of the installation media. This process takes a few minutes, and it's completely optional. Press OK to do this step, or Skip to avoid it.

Language selection (USB only)

Select the language you want to use during the installation, and set it as default for the operating system.

Warning

We strongly recommend, specially on production environments, to choose English as default language. There is a bug in flexvdi-config 2.2.10 and below, by which the firewall is not automatically disabled if the language is other than English, and it prevents the manager from contacting the host agent. If you choose to use a different language, make sure to update flexvdi-config and run the initial checks again, or disable the iptables service manually.

Keyboard layout selection (USB only)

Choose the keyboard layout you want to use during the installation, and in the installed operating system. Choose the one that better suits your keyboard. This selection is not related with the language selection and can be different.

Installation method selection (USB only)

Choose Hard Drive.

Partition selection (USB only)

Select the partition that contains the installer data. It is recommended to select the first option available on the menu, and then just press OK to continue.

Graphic installer

Once the text mode process has finished, the graphical installer will start automatically. From this moment, you can use both your keyboard and mouse to interact with the installer.

Language selection on graphical installer (DVD only)

Select the language you want to use during the installation, and set it as default for the operating system.

Warning

We strongly recommend, specially on production environments, to choose English as default language. There is a bug in flexvdi-config 2.2.10 and below, by which the firewall is not automatically disabled if the language is other than English, and it prevents the manager from contacting the host agent. If you choose to use a different language, make sure to update flexvdi-config and run the initial checks again, or disable the iptables service manually.

Keyboard selection on graphical installer (DVD only)

Choose the keyboard layout you want to use during the installation, and set it as default for the operating system. This selection is not related from language selection and can be different.

Target storage type selection

In this screen you must choose if you want to install this distribution on local storage, or on a specialized external storage. This step only affects the operating system installation, you can configure an external storage for your virtual machine images later. In case you have doubts, just choose the first option (Basic Storage Devices).

Setting the name for this Host

The name of your Host is a unique identifier for your server in your corporate network. You must use a name that is not already being used by another server.

If there is a local DNS server on your network, you should consider creating an entry for both this Host and the flexVDI Manager instance you are going to install later in this guide.

You have the option to configure the network for this server here, but you should not need to do it right now. This configuration is only used by the installer, and your installation media has all packages needed for the installation. The persistent network configuration will be done later.

Timezone selection

Use the map to select the proper timezone for this server's geographical location.

Setting a password for the superuser

Enter a password for the root user on this Host. This password will be used only for local management of this server.

Selecting a partition layout

This screen will present you a variety of options for a disk layout, which allows you a wide range of options, from using all disk space and removing any previous data, to resizing partitions to install the distribution alongside with other operating systems.

Although it is possible to configure complex disk layouts, this requires advanced knowledge of disk management under GNU/Linux O.S. So, if you don't plan to share this server with other OSes, we suggest to select the Use All Space option. This option will completely erase all the contents of the hard disk and will create an optimal partition table for flexVDI.

Target storage selection

If you have more than one local hard disk, or you're installing from a USB pendrive, a screen for selecting the installation target storage will be presented.

Using the disk size (Capacity column) as reference, choose the destination drive, and press on the arrow pointing to the right.

If the installer doesn't do this for you, press on the Boot Loader column of your destination disk to active the option of installing a new boot loader.

Choosing the installation suite

This flexVDI distribution offers two installation suites:

flexVDI server with Linux Bridge: This version includes linux kernel 3.18.14 y manages lnetwork bridges with the common Linux Bridge tools.
flexVDI server with Open vSwitch: This version includes linux kernel 2.6.39 with support for Open vSwitch instead of Linux Bridge.

Open vSwitch is deprecated in flexVDI 2.2, and it is made available only for compatibility with flexVDI 2.1. Only choose that option of you are updating your flexVDI 2.1 system to flexVDI 2.2.

Package installation

This screen will show you the package installation progress. This process will take a few minutes. When it ends, you'll be asked to restart your server. After that, you'll be able to start configuring this Host.