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 |
|---|---|
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! To preserve the current data on your existing system, you should back up your data and/or consider performing an upgrade instead. |
Red Hat Linux provides five different classes, or types, of installations:
- Workstation
A workstation installation is most appropriate if you are new to the world of Linux, and would like to give it a try. A workstation installation will create a system for your home or desktop use. A graphical, Windows-like environment will be installed.
- Server
A server 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.
- Laptop
A laptop installation has been designed to make installing Red Hat Linux on laptops even easier. Much like a workstation installation, it will make sure you have the appropriate packages needed, as well as offer you an automated installation environment.
- Custom
A custom installation allows you the greatest flexibility during your installation. You choose your boot loader, which packages you want, and more. Custom installations are most appropriate for those users more familiar with Red Hat Linux installations and for those afraid of losing complete flexibility.
- Upgrade
If you already have a version of Red Hat Linux (3.0.3 or greater) running on your system and you want to quickly update to the latest packages and kernel version, then an upgrade is most appropriate for you.
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 Installations
Most suitable for new users, the workstation installation will install your choice of the GNOME or KDE desktop environments, or both, and the X Window System (the graphical environment).
Below are the minimum recommended disk space requirements for a workstation installation where only one language (such as English) will be installed.
Workstation choosing GNOME or KDE : 1.5 GB
Workstation choosing both GNOME and KDE, and games: 1.8 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 1.8 GB or more of disk space. If you provide this extra space, you will have room for additional data, if needed.
 | Note |
|---|---|
Unlike workstation installations previous to Red Hat Linux 7.0, performing a Red Hat Linux 7.2 workstation 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 installation. |
What a Workstation Installation Will Do
If you choose automatic partitioning, a workstation installation will create the following partitions:
The size of the swap partition is determined by the amount of RAM in your system and the amount of space available on your hard drive. For example, if you have 128 MB of RAM then the swap partition created can be 128 MB - 256 MB (twice your RAM), depending on how much disk space is available.
A 50 MB partition (mounted as /boot) in which the Linux kernel and related files reside.
A 1100 MB 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 Installations
A server 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.
Below are the minimum recommended disk space requirements for a server installation where only one language (such as English) will be installed.
Server (minimum, no graphical interface): 1 GB
Server (choosing everything, no graphical interface): 1.3 GB
Server (choosing everything, GNOME and KDE): 2.0 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.
What a Server Installation Will Do
During the server 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.
The size of the swap partition is determined by the amount of RAM in your system and the amount of space available on your hard drive. For example, if you have 128 MB of RAM then the swap partition created can be 128 MB - 256 MB (twice your RAM), depending on how much disk space is available.
A 384 MB partition (mounted as /).
A partition of at least 1400 MB (mounted as /usr).
A partition of at least 512 MB (mounted as /home).
A 256 MB partition (mounted as /var).
A 50 MB partition (mounted as /boot) in which the Linux kernel and related files are kept.
This disk partitioning scheme results in a reasonably flexible filesystem configuration for most server tasks.
Laptop Installations
The laptop installation will install your choice of the GNOME or KDE desktop environments, or both, and the X Window System.
Below are the minimum recommended disk space requirements for a laptop installation where only one language (such as English) will be installed.
Laptop choosing GNOME or KDE: 1.5 GB
Laptop choosing both GNOME and KDE: 1.8 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 1.7 GB or more of disk space. If you provide this extra space, you will have room for additional data, if needed.
What a Laptop Installation Will Do
If you choose automatic partitioning, a laptop installation will create the following partitions:
The size of the swap partition is determined by the amount of RAM in your system and the amount of space available on your hard drive. For example, if you have 128 MB of RAM then the swap partition created can be 128 MB - 256 MB (twice your RAM), depending on how much disk space is available.
A 50 MB partition (mounted as /boot) in which the Linux kernel and related files reside.
A 1100 MB root partition (mounted as /) in which all other files are stored (the exact size of this partition is dependent on your available disk space).
| Note |
|---|---|
Performing a Red Hat Linux 7.2 laptop installation will not install the network daemon xinetd (inet services). Withholding xinetd results in a more secure installation[2]; network-related services such as finger, telnet, talk, and FTP will not work. If you require these types of services, choose a server or a custom installation. |
Custom Installations
The custom installation allows you the most flexibility during your installation. The workstation and server installations automatically go through the installation process for you and omit certain steps. During a custom installation, you have complete control over the packages that will be installed on your system.
The recommended disk space requirements for a custom installation are as follows:
Custom (minimum): 350 MB
Custom (choosing everything): 3.4 GB
What a Custom Installation Will Do
As you might guess from the name, a custom installation puts the emphasis on flexibility. You have complete control over which packages will be installed on your system.
If you choose automatic partitioning, a custom installation will create the following partitions:
The size of the swap partition is determined by the amount of RAM in your system and the amount of space available on your hard drive. For example, if you have 128 MB of RAM then the swap partition created can be 128 MB - 256 MB (twice your RAM), depending on how much disk space is available.
A 50 MB partition (mounted as /boot) in which the Linux kernel and related files reside.
A 700 MB root partition (mounted as /) in which all other files are stored (the exact size of this partition is dependent on your available disk space).
Upgrading Your System
Upgrading Red Hat Linux 3.0.3 (or greater) will not delete any existing data. The installation program updates the modular kernel and all currently installed software packages. See Chapter 3 and Appendix A for those instructions.