Step 5 - Which Installation Class is Best For You?
Usually, Red Hat Linux is installed on its own disk partition or set of partitions, or over another installation of Linux.
 | Warning |
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Installing Red Hat Linux over another installation of Linux (including Red Hat Linux) does not preserve any information (files or data) from a prior installation. Make sure you save any important files! If you are installing this way, and you want to preserve the current data on your existing system, you need to back up your data and/or consider performing an upgrade instead. |
Red Hat Linux provides three different classes, or types, of installations:
- Workstation
A workstation-class installation is most appropriate if you are new to the world of Linux, and would like to give it a try. By answering a few installation questions, you can be up and running Red Hat Linux in no time!
- Server
A server-class installation is most appropriate for you if you would like your system to function as a Linux-based server, and you do not want to heavily customize your system configuration.
- Custom
A custom-class installation allows you the greatest flexibility during your installation. You choose your partitioning scheme, which packages you want and more. Custom-class installations are most appropriate for those users more familiar with Red Hat Linux installations and for those afraid of losing complete flexibility.
 | Note |
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The custom-class installation allows you the most flexibility. The workstation- and server-class installations go through the installation process for you and omit certain steps. However, partition flexibility has been added to workstation- and server-class installations, so you can now partition your drives manually during those classes of installations, if you choose to. |
These classes give you the option of simplifying the installation process (with some potential for loss of configuration flexibility), or retaining flexibility with a slightly more complex installation process. Next, take a detailed look at each class, so you can see which one is right for you.
Workstation-Class Installations
Most suitable for new users, the workstation-class installation will install your choice of the GNOME or KDE desktop environments, or both, and the X Window System.
| Warning |
|---|---|
A workstation-class installation will erase all information in all Linux-related partitions from every one of your computer's hard drive(s). |
Below are the minimum recommended disk space requirements for a workstation-class installation.
Workstation choosing GNOME: 1.2 GB
Workstation choosing KDE: 1.2 GB
Workstation choosing both GNOME and KDE, and games: 1.5 GB
If you plan to choose all group packages (for example, GNOME is a group of packages), as well as select additional individual packages, you may want to allow yourself 1.5 GB or more of disk space. If you provide this extra space, you will have room for additional data, if needed.
| Note |
|---|---|
Unlike workstation-class installations previous to Red Hat Linux 7.0, performing a Red Hat Linux 7.1 workstation-class installation will not install the network daemon xinetd (inet services). When xinetd is not installed, you will have a more secure installation. However,in-bound network-related services such as finger, telnet, talk, and FTP will not work.[1] If you require these types of services, please go back and choose a server- or a custom-class installation. |
What a Workstation-Class Installation Will Do
If you choose automatic partitioning, a workstation-class installation removes all Linux-related partitions on all installed hard drives (and uses all free unpartitioned disk space) to create the following partitions:
A 64 MB swap partition.
A 4 MB PReP boot partition in which the Linux kernel or the bootloader resides.
A variable-sized root partition (mounted as /) in which all other files are stored (the exact size of this partition is dependent on your available disk space).
Server-Class Installations
A server-class installation is most appropriate for you if you would like your system to function as a Linux-based server, and you do not want to heavily customize your system configuration.
The recommended disk space requirements for a server-class installation are as follows:
Server (minimum): 650 MB
Server (choosing everything): 1.2 GB
If you plan to choose all group packages, as well as select additional individual packages, you may want to allow yourself 1.2 GB or more of disk space. This will provide space where additional data may be written.
| Warning |
|---|---|
A server-class installation will erase all partitions (both Linux and non-Linux) from every one of your computer's hard drive(s). |
What a Server-Class Installation Will Do
During the server-class installation, the X Window System is not configured and no GUI will be loaded when the system boots, unless you choose to install the appropriate packages during package selection. If you choose automatic partitioning, the installation program deletes all data in all existing partitions of any kind and decides how to partition the disk for the new version.
If you choose automatic partitioning, a server-class installation removes ALL existing partitions on ALL installed hard drives, so choose this installation class only if you are sure you have nothing you want saved! When the installation is complete, you will find the following partitions:
A 256 MB swap partition.
A 256 MB partition (mounted as /).
A partition of at least 512 MB (mounted as /usr).
A partition of at least 512 MB (mounted as /home).
A 256 MB partition (mounted as /var).
A 4 MB PReP boot partition in which the Linux kernel or the bootloader resides.
This disk partitioning scheme results in a reasonably flexible filesystem configuration for most server-class tasks.
Custom-Class Installations
The custom-class installation allows you the most flexibility during your installation. The workstation-class and server-class installations automatically go through the installation process for you and omit certain steps. During a custom-class installation, you must decide how disk space should be partitioned. You have complete control over the packages that will be installed on your system.
The recommended disk space requirements for a custom-class installation are as follows:
Custom (minimum): 300 MB
Custom (choosing everything): 2.4 GB
What a Custom-Class Installation Will Do
As you might guess from the name, a custom-class installation puts the emphasis on flexibility. During a custom-class installation, you can choose how disk space should be partitioned. You have complete control over which packages will be installed on your system.
The following list may help those of you who are trying to decide which installation class will better suit your needs. If you think you will have trouble performing any of the tasks on this list, you should not perform a custom-class installation without reading through this manual and clarifying any questions you may have.
Selecting and Installing Packages — This step is performed after your partitions have been configured and selected for formatting. You are allowed to select groups of packages, individual packages, a combination of the two, or choose an Everything install.
YABOOT Configuration — In a custom class installation, you are able to choose whether you would like YABOOT to be installed.
Authentication Configuration — During a custom-class installation, you can set up network passwords using authentication configuration.
If you choose automatic partitioning, a custom-class installation removes all Linux-related partitions on all installed hard drives (and uses all free unpartitioned disk space) to create the following partitions:
A 64 MB swap partition.
A 4 MB PReP boot partition in which the Linux kernel or the bootloader resides.
A variable-sized root partition (mounted as /) in which all other files are stored (the exact size of this partition is dependent on your available disk space).