#MLE_OverView#
Follow these steps to install eComStation to your system:

(1) Prepare your hard drive using the Logical Volume Manager

(2) Select components to install

(3) Select and format a suitable bootable volume

(4) Wait for file transfer to complete

(5) Reboot this machine

(6) Run WiseMachine to deploy or migrate additional applications, and to customize your desktop.

(7) Run WiseMachine to install support for and configure Multimedia, network interface card, and network protocols including TCP/IP.

#MLE_Contents#
The eComStation package consists of 3 CDs:

(1) CD #1 is the main eComStation Installation CD.   

Booting from this CD allows you to use the newly developed eComStation installer to install eComStation to your hard disk.

(2) CD #2 is the Merlin Convenience Package (MCP) content as supplied by IBM.

If you wish to use the original installer supplied by IBM, boot from this CD.

(3) CD #3 contains all of the bonus applications supplied with eCS

In addition, your eCS distributor might have included additional third party packages in this CD.   These packages are available from public web sites.   They have been included for your convenience only.   Neither S.S.I, nor any of the eCS distributors and business partners can be held responsible for these third party software.   When in doubt, do not use them.

#MLE_Planning#
There are many significant technologies in eComStation.   

JFS, LVM, SMP, new TCP/IP stacks and more.  As with any new technologies, there is a learning curve involved.   

If you are deploying eComStation to a number of workstations in a business environment, a careful planning goes a long way in helping a smooth roll out of this new operating system.

Select "Planning Guide" to display the online book migrate.pdf using the Acrobat Reader(TM) by Adobe.

Although this guide was written for IBM's Warp Server for eBusiness, much of the information contained applies to eComStation as well, since both products share the same technologies. 
#MLE_LVM#
Traditionally, before the storage space on a hard disk drive can be used, that space must be made available by defining one or more allocation units called "partitions".  This process was introduced by IBM Corporation many years ago, when the PC was first designed.

Internally, the computer sees partitions as simple allocation units of raw disk spaces, defined by a physical geometry.  In order to make partitions useful to the user, most operating systems give each partition a designator, typically in the form of a "drive letter" (such as 'C:', 'D:', or 'E:'...).  These appear to the user as logically separate drives, eventhough they may exist on the same physical disk drive.

These "logical drives" are then formatted for use with a file system.  (A file system is the storage and indexing system by which files and related data are saved on disk).

Traditionally, then, a partition is two things.   From the point of view of the computer and operating system, it is a physical disk allocation unit.  But from the user's perspective, it is a logical drive (with a drive letter and file system).

eComStation's system of volume management changes this.   The two different perspectives (physical units and logical drives) have been conceptually separated.

The Logical Volume Manager (LVM) enables you to create and manage volumes on the hard disks and removable drives in your system.

For example, you can perform the following tasks with LVM:

      Create compatibility volumes (partitions)
      Create volumes that span physical disks
      Delete compatibility volumes (partitions)
      Delete logical volumes

LVM can also be used after installation to perform additional configuration, if necessary.

Select "View 'Introduction to LVM'" for more information on LVM.
#DT_MainInstall1#
Install eComStation
#DT_MainInstall2#
As with any operation system, installing eCS requires careful advance planning.  Before starting, make sure you have read the information in the previous sections.
#DT_MainInstall3#
If you are installing eCS onto an existing system, be sure to have a reliable, tested backup of your data.
#DT_MainInstall4#
Important
#DT_MainInstall5#
eComStation uses volume management technology to access the use of hard disk drives.  Before continuing, make sure you understand the information discussed in the "Volume management" section.
#DT_MainInstall6#
The eComStation installation process requires the use of the Logical Volume Manager (LVM).  Improper use of this tool may result in data loss.
#DT_MainInstall7#
Click the button below to begin installion of eComStation onto this computer.