This chapter provides an overview of tasks you may need to perform after installing the Base Operating System (BOS).
After installing BOS, the operating system will run with default settings: one user (root), the date and time set for where the system was manufactured, and other very general settings. You probably want to change some or all of these settings. Also, you must provide system and network information if you want to communicate with other systems.
On a system with a graphical interface, the newly installed BOS reboots and starts Configuration Assistant, which guides you through completing customization tasks. For example, much of the processing on a system uses the date and time; therefore, you need to be sure the date and time are set correctly. You also must set up network communications if your system needs to access other systems in a networked environment. You must have root user authority to use Configuration Assistant.
The graphical interface for Configuration Assistant provides step-by-step instructions for completing each customization task. The tasks are presented to you in a logical sequence, and it is helpful to complete all customization tasks before you use your system. When you exit Configuration Assistant, the guide asks you whether you want to start Configuration Assistant again the next time you restart AIX. You are ready to log in to your system after you exit Configuration Assistant. To access Configuration Assistant later, enter the following fast path:
configassist
On a system with an ASCII interface, the newly installed BOS reboots and starts Installation Assistant to guide you through completing customization tasks. You must have root user authority to use Installation Assistant. To access Installation Assistant later, enter the following command:
install_assist
You can also get to the ASCII version from a graphical system by entering the following command:
smitty assistNotes:
- If your system was installed by a network installation server, Configuration Assistant or Installation Assistant will not display when the BOS installation program completes.
If your system was installed using a system backup image, or if your BOS installation was customized, or if you selected Migration Installation from AIX Version 4.2, Configuration Assistant or Installation Assistant may not display when the BOS installation program completes.
- In general, neither Configuration Assistant nor Installation Assistant contain the tasks needed to configure your machine as a server. If you need to configure your system to serve a certain resource, refer to the documentation pertaining to that resource.
- If your terminal type is not set, the first menu displayed by the ASCII Installation Assistant requires you to enter your terminal type (tty). If you enter an invalid terminal type, this menu redisplays until a valid type is entered.
If you enter a valid terminal type that does not match your terminal, the next screen displayed may be unreadable. In this case, press the break key sequence to return to the Set Terminal Type screen. For most terminal types, the break key sequence is Ctrl-C.