Installation RackStar is very simple and should only take 15-20 minutes.

Requirements:
  • RackStar OS 1 Installation CD (obtain here)
  • A Webserver (system requirements)
  • Monitor, keyboard and (internal or external) CD/DVD ROM drive

    Step 1: Correct drive setup
    You have to make sure your drives are connected properly. When using SATA/SCSI, it will use 'sda', 'sdb', 'sdc'. You'll probably don't have to do a thing.
    When using IDE please have a look at the following schedules:
  • Single Drive - Make sure your drive is connected as MASTER on the PRIMAIRY IDE channel.
  • RAID0 & RAID1 - Make sure drive 1 is connected as MASTER on the PRIMAIRY IDE channel. The second drive should be MASTER on the SECUNDAIRY IDE channel. An optional CD/DVD-ROM can be installed on either channel, but must be SLAVE.
  • RAID5 - Make sure drive 1 is connected as MASTER on the PRIMAIRY IDE channel. The second drive must be SLAVE on the PRIMAIRY IDE channel. The third drive should be MASTER on the SECUNDAIRY IDE channel. An optional CD/DVD-ROM must be SLAVE on the SECUNDAIRY IDE channel.

    Step 2: Make sure your system boots from CD
    After you downloaded the ISO for the CD, double click on it. Open it with your favorite burning program. It should recognize it as a CD image, and should burn it with a boot record. When this has been done, take the CD and put it in the server. Reboot the server and enter the bios.

    Note: When using an EXTERNAL USB CD/DVD-ROM, please enable the USB ports in the bios. Save and reboot the system, enter the BIOS again.

    Next, find the "boot" section in the bios. Usually, this has it's own "tab". As primairy boot device, select the CD/DVD-ROM drive. As secundairy boot device, select the primairy harddisk, or if you use hardware RAID, select the hardware RAID device. Save and exit the bios. Now, your server will first try to boot from the CDROM, then from the (later to be installed) harddisk. The system will reboot, and boot from the installation disk.

    Step 3: Installing
    You will see a welcome screen, and you will be asked to select your drive setup and preferred RAID option.

    NOTE: If you use hardware RAID the system itself will show all drives as one. Therefore, select the single drive option. You will still be using RAID, but the hardware controller itself will take care of this. No software RAID required.

    Enter the number of your choice and press [ENTER]. No further interference is required. After approximately 15 minutes, the system will eject the CD, and will ask you to reboot. Remove the CD! Press [ENTER]

    Step 4: Initial Configuration
    The server will now reboot. If you see the welcome screen of the CD once more, you have not removed the CD. Remove it and reboot.
    You should now see a booting screen, black with the red Rackstar logo. The system will start itself, you'll see a whole lot of text fly by. Ignore it for now. After a while, you will see a configuration wizard which will ask you for the network configuration.

    NOTE: This wizard has a 2 minute time out. If you do not respond quickly enough, it will continue the boot process. Simply reboot the server to repeat this step.

    Enter the IP address, [ENTER], netmask, [ENTER], gateway, [ENTER]. The system will reconfigure base services. When it asks for a username and password (login prompt), enter the IP address of the server in your web browser. The initial configuration screen will appear.

    Please read and accept the license agreement.
    Configure the host name, domain name, nameservers and give it a password. You can also specify the timezone, etc. Click the > arrow at the bottom.
    DONE! You will be thanked and will be reminded to use the StarLinQ update feature. Press > to continue.

    Step 5: Optional Configuration and Security Updates
    You will see a login screen. 'admin' is the username. The password is whatever you just entered. When you login with 'secure' on, you will be given a warning. Ignore it for now (you can use your own certificate if you like).
    OK, you're in. Next is to enable or disable any servers you will or will not be using. Click "Network Services" on the left. You will see a variety of services. Enable things you need, such as e.g. FTP, DNS, etc.

    NOTE: It is recommended to DISABLE any features you do not need.

    Next, click the StarLinQ tab at the top. Click "RackStar Updates", "Check Availability Now". This might take a minute. Install any patch you see.

    You're all done now... Enjoy!