Installing OpenSUSE

I have spent time on CentOS but it is not the only release out there. OpenSUSE is a nice release with a more complete repository and built in Hyper-V integration support so the mouse works off the bat. If you are like me and manage your Windows Hyper-V server through RDP rather than from the console, It makes it much easier. So let's install it!

1. Download yours install DVD at http://www.opensuse.org.
2. Mount the disk to your Virtual machine or burn to disk and insert it in your physical machine, the turn it on|
   
   
    
3. Select Instillation and it will start to boot into the Instillation Wizard.
4. Change the Language and Keyboard layout if you desire, then Accept the Licensing Agreement by Clicking Next.
   
   
    
5. Since this is an installation on a clean box, the Installation Mode screen only gives you the option to do a New Installation. If you uncheck Use Automatic Configuration, you will be given the ability to manually change the Network Configuration.
   
   
    
6. Next is Clock and Time Zone. Select your Region and time Zone. If your hardware clock is set to UTC leave the checkbox allone, if your Hardware Clock is set to local time, uncheck the box. Click Next.
   
   
    
7. If you unchecked the Hardware Clock is set to UTC, You may get the following Warning
   
   
   
   Click Continue.
    
8. Desktop Selection: Select the desktop you want. I like KDE, but that is a personal choice.
   
   
    
9. Next you have to select the partitioning scheme you want. I recommend the default unless you are experienced with this. Click Next
   
   
    
10. Create New User: You will create your first user. Enter the User's Full Name, Username and Password. NOTE: By Default this password is also used for the root user and is automatically logged in. Uncheck these boxes if you don't want this to happen.
    
    
     
11. Now you will get an overview of your Installation Settings. You can customize it if you want.
    
    
    
    Click Install. and install will begin.
    
    
    
    Once it is done, It will automatically reboot.
    
     
12. After it boots to the Hard Disk, you will be asked to Configure some settings (if you did not uncheck "Automatic Configuration" in step 5, you may not get all of these prompts. the First is the Hostname and domain. Set these based on your environment.
    
    
    
     
13. Network Configuration: This will make some automatic configuration settings, but you can change them by clicking on change and set them how you want.
    
    
    
    once done click Next
    
     
14. OpenSUSE will now save the configuration
    
    
    
     
15. Test connection. This will test you internet connection.
    
    
    
     
16. If you get the Error "Cannot install downloaded release notes. RPM signature check failed", it does NOT mean the test failed.
    
    
    
    Click ok and you will see weather or not the network test was successful.
    
     
17. Check test result to see if it was successful. if it failed, you can view the several logs to see what happened.
    
    
    
    If it was successful click next, if not, go back and fix your configuration.
     
18. OpenSUSE will now download the Package Manager.
    
    
    
     
19. Now you can run updates or skip them, of course it is recommended that you run them to ensure you have the latest packages and security patches.
    
    
    
    Make your selection and click next.
    
     
20. Select the updates you want. If you RIGHT click in the left hand list, goto "All in this list" you can select  "install" and it will select ALL available updates.
    
    
    
    click Accept to download and install.
    
     
21. OpenSUSE may automatically make some changes to selected packages to address dependency issues. Click Continue.
    
    
    
     
22. You may recieve the following warning, Click continue.
    
    
    
    
     
23. Installation will begin.
    
    
    
     
24. Once download and installation of patches is done, Click next.
    
    
    
     
25. Now the system will reboot.
     
26. System will check and give you the option to change the Hardware Configuration. You should be able to leave this as it is set. Click Next
    
    
    
    
     
27. Congratulations, the installation is complete! click Finish.