Chapter 6. Installing Red Hat Linux 6.2

Once you have finished this chapter, you will have completed a full installation of Red Hat Linux 6.2.

If you need information about performing an upgrade, please refer to Chapter 7 for those instructions.

Continuing the Installation

Usually, Red Hat Linux is installed on a clean 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! If you are worried about saving the current data on your existing system (without making a backup on your own), you should consider performing an upgrade instead (see Chapter 7).

In choosing a full installation, you must also choose the class of the installation. Your options include: GNOME Workstation, KDE Workstation, Server or Custom.

Most suitable for new users, the workstation-class installation will install your choice of a GNOME or KDE desktop environment, 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).

Please Note

Unlike previous workstation-class installations, performing a Red Hat Linux 6.2 workstation-class installation will not install the network daemon inetd. Not installing inetd results in a more secure installation; however, network-related services such as finger, telnet, talk, and FTP will not work. If you require these types of services, please go back and choose a server- or a custom-class installation.

A server-class installation is most appropriate for you if you'd like your system to function as a Linux-based server, and you don't want to heavily customize your system configuration.

	Warning
	A server-class installation will erase all partitions (both Linux and non-Linux) from every one of your computer's hard drive(s).

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, it is up to you how disk space should be partitioned. You have complete control over the packages that will be installed on your system. Unless you have prior Linux experience, you should not select the custom-class installation method.

If you would like to know what steps are omitted by not performing a custom-class installation please refer to the section called Behind the Scenes of a Custom-Class Installation in Chapter 2.