Sharing Software on a Local Area Network Feb94

This document describes the DEC OSF/1 Remote Installation Service (RIS) utility and its environment, published in February 1994 for DEC OSF/1 Version 2.0 or higher.

RIS is designed to reduce software and hardware costs by enabling the installation of software kits, including the DEC OSF/1 operating system, across a Local Area Network (LAN) instead of using local distribution media.

The manual, primarily intended for system administrators, provides a comprehensive guide covering:

1. Introduction to Software Sharing: Explains the server/client model, the benefits of software sharing (cost and disk space reduction), and the components of the RIS environment (server, distribution device, LAN, and clients). It details how a RIS server's dedicated disk "RIS area" stores software kits and how clients access them for installation.
2. Server Setup Preparation: Outlines prerequisite tasks such as installing the DEC OSF/1 operating system, setting up the LAN, and loading the Server Extensions license. It also discusses server/client compatibility, specifically the interactions between DEC OSF/1 and ULTRIX servers/clients using MOP and bootp protocols.
3. Configuring a RIS Server: Provides step-by-step instructions for establishing a RIS server using the ris utility, including creating new RIS areas, installing software subsets (either by extracting them or creating symbolic links), and utilizing NFS-mounted RIS areas.
4. Managing and Maintaining RIS: Covers ongoing administrative tasks such as gathering client information, registering, modifying, listing, and removing clients, as well as managing products within the RIS server areas.
5. Remote Booting a RIS Client: Details the network files and daemons (bootptab, inetd, bootpd, tftpd) involved in remote booting and describes the step-by-step process of a client booting and installing software over the network.
6. Troubleshooting RIS: Offers guidance on diagnosing and resolving common issues related to the ris utility, client registration, server response during booting, and problems with loading the correct software.
7. Appendices: Includes specific instructions for installing DEC OSF/1 for Alpha AXP subsets on an ULTRIX server and a client configuration worksheet.

In essence, the document serves as a practical guide for system administrators to implement, manage, and troubleshoot a network-based software installation system using Digital's Remote Installation Service for DEC OSF/1 environments.