Installing Fedora 17

Bill Giannikos

In this guide we will be providing an easy set of instructions for installing Fedora 17 on your computer. This guide already assumes you have prepared your computer for Linux or alternatively have followed the guides for VMware or VirtualBox if you plan to run Fedora as a virtual machine.

Due to a bug in the Fedora installer, when running the installer for Fedora 17 on VMware Workstation with the default settings you will see that the Back and Next buttons are not visible. To fix this modify the virtual machine's settings, go to display and change the resolution to 800×600. You can change it back to normal after the installation completes.

After booting off the Fedora 17 DVD (which is covered in the guides mentioned in the introduction) you will be presented with the above screen. To begin the installation process press enter on the first option. The Fedora 17 installer will now load.

Now select the language you would like to use and then press Next.

Here you can select your keyboard type. Select the type of keyboard you have and click Next.

This screen indicates to Fedora what sort of storage device you are using. For nearly everybody this would be Basic Storage Device. Press Next when you have selected the appropriate option.

Depending on the currently setup of your hard drive(s) you may see this message. Select Yes, discard any data to initialize your hard drive(s). This will delete all content on your drives so be careful.

You can now select the name of your computer. You also have the option to configure the network, however for a desktop installation I would leave this option for later. If on the other hand you are doing a server installation then you can configure the network from here. Enter what you like here and then click Next.

On this screen you can select the timezone appropriate to you.

You will also have an option labeled System clock uses UTC. This indicates whether the system clock in your computer is set to UTC time or local time. Typically if you are only going to run Fedora on this system then select this option. If you are going to be running Windows as well then de-select this option.

After you have selected the options appropriate to you click Next.

In this section you are able to enter the root password. This password is the administrator's password for the whole system. After entering your password twice (for verification purposes) click Next.

In this section you can specify how you would like to configure the hard drive(s). The first item selects the partitioning layout scheme with the options available being as follows:

• Use All Space - This clears everything off the hard drive and creates a default layout for Fedora using all the space available on the drive.
• Replace Existing Linux System(s) - This clears any current Linux partition off your hard drive and creates a default layout for Fedora in the free space made available. This leaves any non-Linux partition untouched.
• Shrink Current System - This allows you to resize any partitions you currently have on your hard drive and then creates the default Fedora layout in the available free space. This option is useful when you have a Windows partition using all the available hard drive space as it allows you to shrink the Windows partition to make room for Fedora.
• Use Free Space - This does not modify any partitions on your hard drive and just creates a default layout on the free space available.
• Create Custom Layout - This option is for advanced users. It allows you to create a custom layout for your Fedora installation.

The Use LVM option is a feature of Linux which makes managing Linux partition easier. It is recommended to leave this option on.

The Encrypt System option is if you would like to encrypt your system. The purpose of this option is to encrypt all the data on your hard drive to ensure that if your system is stolen the data on your computer can not be used. This works by having Fedora ask you for an encryption password each time you start it, if the person using the system does not know the password then the system will be unable to read the information on your drive. This option is typically only good for desktop installations, a server install will run into problems as someone needs to be physically at the terminal to enter the password each time the system reboots.

The Review and modify partitioning layout is for advanced users to modify the default Fedora layout.

After you have picked the options appropriate for your setup click Next.

After clicking Next you will get this confirmation box. Click on Write changes to disk to proceed with the partitioning.

Now you will be given the option on what type of installation you would like to do. You can also add additional repositories and customerize the installation if you wish, however most people wont need to do that at this stage. Select the installation type that is suitable for you and click Next.

Now the installation process will begin, this will take about 15 minutes. When the installation process is complete click on the Reboot button to end the installation wizard. This will restart the computer and boot into your new Fedora installation.

When booting into Fedora 17 for the first time you may be presented with this setup agent, depending on the installation type you chose. To begin press Forward.

This screen present you with the licensing agreement for Fedora. If you understand and agree with this license then click Forward.

Now you are presented with the Create User screen. Type in the username you would like to use, your name and the password you will be using. The Add to Administrators group can be used if you would like the user to be able to administer the system.

The other items on this screen is for advanced setups and isn't required for most people.

When you have completed the details on this screen click Forward.

In this screen you are able to set the date and time. You may also like to select the Synchronize data and time over the network which will get the current date and time from servers from the Internet. After you have correctly set the current date and time click Forward.

In the Hardware Profile screen you are able to submit your hardware configuration to the Fedora team. What this does is allow Fedora to better gauge which hardware to more focus on and so this option is recommended. To send your profile click on the Send Profile option and then click Finish.

The Setup Agent is now complete and you are now able to log into your system.

Installation is almost complete but there is one very important step before being able to use Fedora and that is to install all the required security updates.

Log into your computer with the username and password you selected. Next ensure you have a working internet connection. If you are using a wireless connection you can configure the wireless using the network manager on the top right of the screen.

Next launch the Software Update program. To do so click on Activities at the top left of the screen, type update and then click on the Software Update application.

The Software Update program will now load and present you a list of available updates. When the updates list is presented click on Install Updates.

This window will now pop up informing you that some additional packages will be installed. Click Continue to confirm. The required software will now be downloaded.

After the software downloads you will now get this confirmation prompt providing details about the key used to sign the packages you downloaded. You can verify that the signature identifier is correct and then click Yes to continue.

You will then be asked for your root password. Enter it and press Authenticate.

The updates will now be installed. When the updates are complete restart your computer for these updates to take effect.

To install the updates via the console follow these steps:

1. Log into the system as the root user.
2. Ensure you have a working internet connection.
3. Type in the following command:

   yum -y update

4. Reboot the computer.

Your system is now up to date.

Your Fedora 17 system is now fully installed and up to date. For further guides in configuring certain parts of Fedora please view our Fedora Guides section.