SuSe 8.1 Network install.

[Seph64]

I downloaded the boot.iso file from the suse.com ftp site, but when I try to tell the installation to go into the network install (ftp, http, etc) it says that there is no network device on my system.

I got a Network Interface Card installed, and hooked up into a DSL Modem/Router combo if that is any help. Anyone know what I can do?

[bschmidt]

There are two ways to get this done. The easiest is to follow what they say on the ftp site; when you get to the boot screen type in:
linux install=ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/8.1
changing the site to whatever mirror you may prefer. When done this way, it should automatically detect and set up your NIC. Alternatively, when it starts it gives you the option of setting up you network, in which you have to select your NIC and set it up.

Another word to the wise on networking installing that I found through trial and error: when you go through an ftp install, it by defaults does not send a username or password to the ftp server. If you don't change this, neither the Suse ftp site or any of the mirror sites will allow you in and your install will hang. Change the option so you can specify a username and password. Most of the mirror sites accept "anonymous" as a username and a valid e-mail address as the password. If you use the Suse ftp site, the username should be "ftp", and a valid e-mail address for the password.

These two things taken into account, the install worked just fine for me.

[kart38]

When I do a SuSE install I do a Manual Installation. When you select that one of the choices on the next screen is something to do with loading hardware modules (it says that in parenthasis). Pick your card from those listed and just hit enter on the next screen. It should then say it was loaded successfully.

Back out until you see the Start Installation option. I've never had a problem using this server, 140.221.9.138, without using a user name and password. Once it connects to the server it will ask you for the directory. This is what I type in, /pub/ftp.suse.com/i386/current. It has worked perfect every time I've done it.

Jason

[Seph64]

Sorry to say, those 2 suggestions didn't work. I guess I have to stick with Mandrake or Red Hat.

[phrostbyte]

Hi, I just did an FTP install of SuSE two nights ago. From the installation options choose manual install. I have a short memory, but I think the next the next couple of screens let you select language and keyboard layout. On the next screen select kernal modules and then network card modules. Here is where you select the "driver" for your network card. I went to google on another machine and typed in the name and model of my card and "linux" and "driver". I scanned a few results and found out that my card uses "via-rhine". I selected this from the list and it reported that it loaded fine. The next stumbling block was entering the IP address. The docs say you can enter text "ftp.suse.com", but I got an error. I went back to the other machine and pinged ftp.suse.com and it returned the IP address. Right now it is: 217.9.113.66. The directory I used for the latest version was pub/suse/i386/current.

I had only used Mandrake. I am very impressed with SuSE (so far). I like it better (after two days mind you), so I would recommend giving it another shot before you resign yourself to Mandrake.

Take care.

[kart38]

I agree on giving SuSE another shot before heading to either Mandrake or Red Hat. I've tried all three, currently running RH8, and must say that SuSE is by far my favorite. It looks better, it runs better, it is easier to update, it....do I really have to go on? I'm a newbie, only been using Linux since November (started with Mandrake9), and would recommend it to other newbies. The only hitch is their online instructions don't mention that you need IP addresses, seems like a major oversite IMHO.

Jason

[phrostbyte]

Out of curriosity, if you prefer SuSE, what keeps you running RH8. I have not tried it, and don't know if I should bother.

pb

[Seph64]

Nope, nothing works.

I looked at the Hardware list at suse.com and they don't list my modem.

[kart38]

Well I wouldn't even have tried RH, but I heard of the 8.1 (Phoebe) beta and decided to give it a shot. I only ran RH for a couple of days, maybe it wasn't a fair shot, but that was enough to decide it wan't my cup of tea. I say "only" and "was" because I'm back to using SuSE 8.1, just finished installing it. I only installed RH to see what it was like. I'd heard nothing but good things about it. Honestly, if I wasn't into playing games, using Photoshop, and modelling in 3D Studio Max it would be great. Having used SuSE and knowing how much faster it runs though....very nice ;)

Seph64, I have no suggestions. As I've said, I'm a newbie and luckily my hardware has all been supported. I know there is a way to load custom modules, but I don't know how to do that. If your choices are now Mandrake and Red Hat I'd say choose Mandrake. It ran a decent bit quicker on my system than RH8 did. Also I prefer KDE and that is the default desktop environment for MDK9, yes I know you can run it in RH8. Having said that, RH8s "Bluecurve" theme for Gnome is the best GTK theme I've seen.

Jason