Using a Customized bosinst.data File

You must install the Base Operating System (BOS) before you can access and modify the default bosinst.data file. Once you have installed BOS, retrieve and edit the file like any other ASCII file. Use one of the following procedures:

• Customize the bosinst.data file, then create a backup image of the system to use in subsequent installations from a backup tape.
• Customize a bosinst.data file for each client you want to install via the network.
• Customize the bosinst.data file, then copy the modified file to a diskette that supplements your installation medium, either tape or CD-ROM.

Refer to "bosinst.data File Stanza Descriptions" and "Example bosinst.data Files" for information about the contents of the file and examples of edited files.

To Create and Use a Backup Tape

1. Customize the bosinst.data file:
   1. Change your directory, with the cd command, to the /var/adm/ras directory.
   2. Copy the /var/adm/ras/bosinst.data file to a new name, such as bosinst.data.orig. This step preserves the original bosinst.data file.
   3. Edit the bosinst.data file with an ASCII editor. Refer to the stanza descriptions for more information about variables and values.
   4. Copy the edited file to the root directory:

      cp /var/adm/ras/bosinst.data 
      /bosinst.data

2. Create a backup image of the system:

   Back up the system, using one of the following: the Web-based System Manager Backups application, the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT), or mksysb command. Refer to "Backing Up Your System" for more information.

   BOS installations from this backup will behave according to your customized bosinst.data file.

To Create and Use a Client File

Create one customized bosinst.data file for each client and, using the Network Installation Manager (NIM), define the files as NIM resources. Refer to AIX Version 4.3 Network Installation Management Guide and Reference for more information about how to use the bosinst.data file as a resource in network installations.

To Create and Use a Supplementary Diskette

This procedure describes how to create the supplementary diskette and use it in future installations:

1. Customize the bosinst.data file:
   1. Change your directory, with the cd command, to the /var/adm/ras directory.
   2. Copy the /var/adm/ras/bosinst.data file to a new name, such as bosinst.data.orig. This step preserves the original bosinst.data file.
   3. Edit the bosinst.data file with an ASCII editor. Refer to the stanza descriptions for more information about variables and values.
   4. Create an ASCII file consisting of one word:

      data

   5. Save the new ASCII file, naming it signature.
2. Create the diskette and use it for installation:
   1. Back up the edited bosinst.data file and the new signature file to diskette with the following command:

      ls ./bosinst.data ./signature | backup 
      -iqv

      OR

      If you create a bundle file named mybundle , back up the edited bosinst.data file, the new signature file, and the bundle file to diskette with the following command:

      ls ./bosinst.data ./signature ./mybundle | 
      backup -iqv

   2. Put the diskette in the diskette drive of the target machine you are installing.
   3. Boot the target machine from an install medium (tape, CD-ROM, or network) and install AIX.

      The BOS installation program will use the diskette file, rather than the default bosinst.data file shipped with the installation media.