Using Reanimator to Install IRIX
This guide uses Reanimator, described by the authors as "Reanimator allows Silicon Graphics IRIX network installation using a Raspberry Pi or VirtualBox" to install IRIX 6.5. Other versions of IRIX are supported.
Setting up the Installation
To enter Command Monitor, boot the SGI and click on "Stop for Maintenance dialog" or press Esc. Click on "Enter Command Monitor" or press "5" (on Indy, numbers can change on other SGI model).
Two IP client addresses are available:
IRIS: setenv netaddr 192.168.9.1
or
IRIS2: setenv netaddr 192.168.9.2
To reboot from disk 1 after the installation, run in Command Monitor:
>>setenv SystemPartition dksc(0,1,8)
>>setenv OSLoadPartition dksc(0,1,0)
>>setenv OSLoader sash
>>setenv OSLoadFilename unix
Partitioning the Drive
Indy:
bootp():IRIX/6.5.22/ovl1/stand/fx.ARCS -x
bootp():IRIX/irix53/1/stand/fx.ARCS -x
bootp():IRIX/irix62/1/stand/fx.ARCS -x
bootp():IRIX/irix650/1/stand/fx.ARCS -x
bootp():IRIX/irix657/1/stand/fx.ARCS -x
Octane2:
bootp():IRIX/6.5.30/disc1/stand/fx.64 -x
bootp():IRIX/irix650/1/stand/fx.64 -x
bootp():IRIX/irix657/1/stand/fx.64 -x
** tip **
- define a "part" variable in Command Monitor:
Indy: setenv -p part "bootp():IRIX/6.5.22/ovl1/stand/fx.ARCS -x"
Octane2: setenv -p part "bootp():IRIX/6.5.30/disc1/stand/fx.64 -x"
This way, shortcuts can run $part in Command Monitor to easily start the disk partitioning program
Troubleshooting
If the disk partition program doesn't start, please check:
1. netaddr is properly configured in Command Monitor.
2. if the problem persists, connect your sgi computer to Reanimator using a straight-through cable, not a crossover.
3. in cases 1 and 2, try typing the server name before ":", for example: "bootp()rbpi:IRIX/6.5.22/ovl1/stand/fx.ARCS -x".
This problem is described on "Bootpd server receives requests, but ignores them." http://techpubs.spinlocksolutions.com/irix/remote-irix-6.5-installation-from-linux.html and is logged on /var/log/daemon.log
http://ibgwww.colorado.edu/~lessem/psyc5112/usail/peripherals/disks/adding/sgi.html
Warning: depending on the documentation used, the procedure can be slightly different. This guide assumes the drive is neither labeled nor partitioned.
Press Enter a couple of times to select the default system disk on SCSI controller 0, ID 1, lun 0
fx> [l]abel
fx/label> [c]reate
fx/label/create> [a]ll
fx/label/create> ..
fx/label> [sy]nc
fx/label> ..
fx> [r]epartition
fx/repartition> [ro]otdrive
fx/repartition/rootdrive: type of data partition = (xfs)
fx/repartition> /exit
Setting up the installer
- Enter System Maintenance menu, press 2 or click on "Install system software"
- Press 2 or click on "From remote directory"
- Enter "rbpi" or "debian" (according to the installation platform) as "server name", NOT the IP address
- For example:
Indy:
IRIX/6.5.22/ovl1/dist
Octane2:
IRIX/6.5.30/disc1/dist for Octane2
General table for each IRIX version:
| IRIX version | Remote directory |
|---|---|
| 5.3 | IRIX/irix53/1/dist |
| 6.2 | IRIX/irix62/1/dist |
| 6.3 | IRIX/irix63/1/dist |
| 6.5.0 | IRIX/irix650/1/dist |
| 6.5.7 | IRIX/irix657/1/dist |
| 6.5.22 | IRIX/6.5.22/ovl1/dist |
| 6.5.30 | IRIX/6.5.30/disc1/dist |
If asked for system name or IP, specify the name/IP according the netaddr variable in Command Monitor:
IRIS for 192.168.9.1
IRIS2 for 192.168.9.2
Troubleshooting
If the installer program doesn't start, please check:
1. netaddr is properly configured in Command Monitor.
2. if the problem persists, connect the sgi computer to Reanimator using a straight-through cable, not a crossover.
3. if the problem persists again, try booting the installer program using the "hard way", booting from Command Monitor.
- Indy, 6.5.22 and RBPi: bootp():IRIX/6.5.22/ovl1/dist/miniroot/unix.IP22 or bootp()rbpi:IRIX/6.5.22/ovl1/dist/miniroot/unix.IP22
- Indy, 6.2 and RBPi: bootp():IRIX/irix62/1/stand/sashARCS or bootp()rbpi:IRIX/irix62/1/stand/sashARCS
- Indy, 5.3 and RBPi: bootp():IRIX/irix53/1/stand/sashARCS or bootp()rbpi:IRIX/irix53/1/stand/sashARCS
- Octane2, 6.5.20 and RBPi: bootp():IRIX/6.5.30/disc1/stand/sash64 or bootp()rbpi:IRIX/6.5.30/disc1/stand/sash64
Check the directories of your IRIX version to find the right installer program.
Select option "13. admin" --> "11. mkfs" --> (y)es --> yes --> "21. return" (numbers can change depending on the Inst version)
When formatting a partition, follow spinlocksolutions's advice:
"If working with a new disk, the installer will ask to format partitions and the block size to use. Use 4096kB block size for disks larger than 4GB, 512B otherwise."
IRIX Installation
Load the selections file according to the IRIX version installed. Check the right file on Reanimator's main menu, for example:
Use "rbpi" or "debian" according to the installation platform
6.5.22: Select option "13. admin" --> "15. load filename" --> irix@rbpi:i/6.5.22.txt --> "21. return"
6.5.30: Select option "13. admin" --> "15. load filename" --> irix@rbpi:i/6.5.30.txt --> "21. return"
6.5.7: Select option "13. admin" --> "15. load filename" --> irix@rbpi:i/6.5.7.txt --> "21. return"
2024/05/24 update: It seems that NFS is not installed. After installation, reboot and install the source irix@IP_Reanimator:i/IRIX/irix65x/nfs/dist, for example:
Reference: https://forums.sgi.sh/index.php?threads/nfs-weirdness.563/
# inst
1. from [source ...]
Install software from: irix@192.168.9.100:i/IRIX/irix65x/nfs/dist
Inst> conflicts
nfs.sw.nis (1274627335) is incompatible with eoe.sw.base (1289434520)
1a. Do not install nfs.sw.nis (1274627335)
1b. Open new distribution to resolve conflict
nfs.sw.nfs (1274627335) is incompatible with eoe.sw.base (1289434520)
2a. Do not install nfs.sw.nfs (1274627335)
2b. Open new distribution to resolve conflict
...
Inst> conflicts 1b
Install software from: irix@192.168.9.100:i/IRIX/6.5.22/ovl1/dist
Install software from: done
Inst> go
If there is no selections file for the IRIX version, one must write the sources manually: select option "1. from [source]" and add the right sources, type "rbpi" or "debian" for server name, SKIP "/" before "i". For example:
Indy: use "rbpi" or "debian" according to the installation platform
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/6.5.22/ovl1/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/6.5.22/ovl2/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/6.5.22/ovl3/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/6.5.22/apps/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/f1/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/f2/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/nfs/dist
(optional) irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/devl/dist
(optional) irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/devf13/dist
Octane2: use "rbpi" or "debian" according to the installation platform
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/6.5.30/disc1/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/6.5.30/disc2/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/6.5.30/disc3/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/6.5.30/apps/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/6.5.30/capps/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/f1/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/f2/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/nfs/dist
(optional) irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/devl/dist
(optional) irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/devf13/dist
For IRIX 6.5.7: use "rbpi" or "debian" according to the installation platform
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix657/1/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix657/2/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix657/apps/dist
(optional) irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/devf/dist
(optional) irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/devl/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/f1/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/f2/dist
irix@rbpi:i/IRIX/irix65x/nfs/dist
Depending on the IRIX version and computer model, the installation procedure can be slightly different. Search videos on Youtube or documentation about IRIX installation on your model.
