Jump to contentJump to page navigation: previous page [access key p]/next page [access key n]
documentation.suse.com / SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Documentation / Deployment Guide / Installation preparation / Planning for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
Applies to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4

1 Planning for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

This chapter describes some basic considerations before installing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

1.1 Considerations for deployment of a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

The implementation of an operating system either in an existing IT environment or as a completely new roll out must be carefully prepared. At the beginning of the planning process, you should try to define the project goals and necessary features. This must always be done individually for each project, but the questions to answer should include the following:

  • How many installations should be done? Depending on this, the best deployment methods differ.

  • Will the system run as physical host or as a virtual machine?

  • Will the system be exposed to external threats like hacker attacks? Have a look at Chapter 1, Security and confidentiality to get an overview of consequences.

  • How will you get regular updates? All patches are provided online for registered users in the SUSE Customer Center.

  • Do you need help for your local installation? SUSE provides training, support, and consulting for all topics pertaining to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Find more information about this at https://www.suse.com/products/server/.

  • Do you need third-party products? Make sure that the required product is also supported on the desired platform. SUSE can provide help to support software on different platforms when needed.

1.2 Deployment of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

To make sure that your system will run flawlessly, always try to use certified hardware. The hardware certification process is an ongoing process and the database of certified hardware is updated regularly. Find the search form for certified hardware at https://www.suse.com/yessearch/Search.jsp.

Depending on the number of desired installations, it is beneficial to use installation servers or even completely automatic installations. When using Xen or KVM virtualization technologies, network root file systems or network storage solutions like iSCSI should be considered.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server provides you with a broad variety of services. Find an overview of the documentation in this book in Preface. Most of the needed configurations can be made with YaST, the SUSE configuration utility. In addition, many manual configurations are described in the corresponding chapters.

In addition to the plain software installation, you should consider training the end users of the systems and help desk staff.

Note
Note: Terminology

In the following sections, the system to hold your new SUSE Linux Enterprise Server installation is called target system or installation target. The term repository (previously called installation source) is used for all sources of installation data. This includes physical media, such as CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, and network servers distributing the installation data in your network.

1.3 Running SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

The SUSE Linux Enterprise Server operating system is a well-tested and stable system. Unfortunately, this does not prevent hardware failures or other causes for downtime or data loss. For any serious computing task where data loss could occur, a regular backup should be done.

For optimal security and data safety, you should make regular updates of all the operated machines. If you have a mission critical server, you should run a second identical (pre-production) machine that you can use to test all changes. This also gives you the possibility of switching machines in case of hardware failure.

1.4 Registering SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

To get technical support and product updates, you need to register and activate your SUSE product with the SUSE Customer Center. We recommend to register during the installation, since this will enable you to install the system with the latest updates and patches available. However, if you are offline or want to skip the registration step, you can complete registration from the running system.

In case your organization does not provide a local registration server, registering SUSE Linux Enterprise requires a SUSE Customer Center account. In case you do not have one yet, go to the SUSE Customer Center home page (https://scc.suse.com/) to create one.

During the installation you will be asked to enter your registration code. For details, see Section 8.7, “Registration”.

If you deploy your instances automatically using AutoYaST, you can register the system during the installation by providing the respective information in the AutoYaST control file. For details, see Section 4.3, “System registration and extension selection”.

For registering an already installed system, see Section 8.2, “Registering an installed system”.

1.5 Changes in installation from SUSE Linux Enterprise Server version 15

Starting with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15, all SUSE Linux Enterprise-based products are installed using a Unified Installer from a single set of installation media for each supported architecture.

1.5.1 Unified Installer for SUSE Linux Enterprise-based products

As of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4, this includes the following base products:

Product NameSupported Platforms
SUSE Linux Enterprise ServerAMD64/Intel 64; AArch64; POWER; IBM Z
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance ComputingAMD64/Intel 64; AArch64
SUSE Linux Enterprise Real TimeAMD64/Intel 64
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP ApplicationsAMD64/Intel 64; POWER
SUSE Linux Enterprise DesktopAMD64/Intel 64
SUSE Manager ServerAMD64/Intel 64; POWER; IBM Z
SUSE Manager ProxyAMD64/Intel 64
SUSE Manager for Retail Branch ServerAMD64/Intel 64
SUSE Enterprise StorageAMD64/Intel 64; Arm; Intel 64

1.5.2 Installing with Internet access

If you are installing onto a computer or VM that has access to the Internet, then to install any of the products listed above, it is only necessary to download the SLE-15-SP4-Online-ARCH-GM-media1.iso image for the desired architecture.

Note
Note: Installing SUSE Manager

To install any SUSE Manager products, the target machine must have direct access to the SUSE Customer Center or to an RMT server.

1.5.3 Offline installation

Except for SUSE Manager, you do not require access to the Internet, or to the SUSE Customer Center or to an RMT server, to install the other listed products.

For offline installation, additionally download the SLE-15-SP4-Full-ARCH-GM-media1.iso image for the desired architecture.

There is an additional, second Packages medium, but this contains only source code and is not required for installation.

Tip
Tip: Full media size

The size of the full installation media SLE-15-SP4-Online-ARCH-GM-media1.iso exceeds the capacity of a dual layer DVD. Therefore you can only boot it from a USB flash drive.

1.5.4 Quarterly updated media

For the installation media and the VM Guest images, SUSE offers two variants:

  • The first, containing GM in the file name, consists of the package set as shipped on the first customer shipment date.

  • The second, identified by a QU followed by a number in the file name, contains the same package set but includes all maintenance updates of the packages that have been released in the meantime. Quarterly updated media are refreshed every three months, with the first coming three months after the GM release.

You only need either the GM or the QU media, not both. Which version to select depends on your needs and preferences. If you have newer hardware, the QU version might be the better choice. The installation procedure is identical for both variants.

For both variants it is recommended to install the latest updates released after creation of the images during or immediately after installation.