4.4 Evaluating OES 2 Software

This section walks you through the OES 2 software evaluation process and discusses the following topics:

4.4.1 Understanding OES 2 Software Evaluation Basics

You can evaluate the full OES 2 product on both product platforms (Linux and NetWare). The evaluation software is the complete, fully functional OES 2 product.

As you install each server, you are required to accept an end user license agreement (EULA). Your rights to evaluate and use the OES 2 product are limited to the rights set forth in the EULA, which are, briefly, the following:

  • The evaluation period for OES 2 Linux servers is 60 days. To receive software updates during this time, you must have or create an account with the Customer Center, receive evaluation codes for OES 2 and SLES 10 while downloading the software, and use these codes to register your server. No software updates can be downloaded after the 60-day evaluation period expires until you purchase the product.

  • The evaluation period for OES 2 NetWare servers is 90 days, after which Novell expects you to either purchase OES 2 or uninstall OES 2 NetWare.

4.4.2 Downloading OES 2 SP1 Software from the Novell Web Site

If you already have OES 2 SP1 ISO image files, skip to Section 4.4.3, Preparing the Installation Media.

If you have OES 2 SP1 product media (CDs and DVDs), skip to Section 4.4.4, Installing OES 2 for Evaluation Purposes.

To download ISO image files from the Web:

  1. If you don’t already have a Novell account, register for one on the Web.

  2. Access the Novell Downloads Web page.

  3. Do a keyword search for Open Enterprise Server 2 SP1, then click the Open Enterprise Server 2 SP1 e-Media Kit link.

  4. Click the proceed to download button (upper right corner of the first table).

  5. If you are prompted to log in, type your Novell Account > username and password, then click login.

  6. Accept the Export Agreement (required for first downloads only) and answer the survey questions about your download (optional).

  7. Print the download page. You need the listed MD5 verification numbers to verify your downloads.

  8. Scroll down to the Download Instructions section and click the Download Instructions link.

  9. Print the Download Instructions page for future reference.

  10. Use the information on the Download Instructions page to decide which files you need to download for the platforms you plan to evaluate, then mark them on the MD5 verification list on the page you printed in Step 7.

  11. On the download page, start downloading the files you need by clicking the download button for each file.

  12. If you have purchased OES 2 previously and received purchased OES 2 and SLES 10 activation codes, skip to Step 15.

    Otherwise, in the Evaluating Open Enterprise Server 2 section, click the Get Activation Codes link in the Novell Open Enterprise Server 2—Linux paragraph.

    60-day evaluation codes are sent in separate e-mail messages to the e-mail address associated with your Novell account.

  13. Access your e-mail account and print the messages or write down the activation codes.

    Both the OES 2 and the SLES codes are required for product registration and downloading software updates.

  14. Click Back to return to the download page.

  15. In the download table at the top of the page, click the Install Instructions > View link at the end of the list of files to download.

    Although you might have printed this file earlier, the online version is required for the steps that follow.

  16. Scroll past the download decision tables; while you wait for the downloads, read through the brief installation instructions, clicking the links for more information.

  17. Verify the integrity of each downloaded file by running an MD5-based checksum utility on it and comparing the values against the list you printed in Step 15.

    For example, on a Linux system you can enter the following command:

    md5sum filename

    where filename is the name of the .iso file you are verifying.

    For a Windows system, you need to obtain a Windows-compatible MD5-based checksum utility from the Web and follow its usage instructions.

  18. (Optional) If you plan to install OES 2 Linux from files on your network, see the instructions in Preparing a Network Installation Source in the OES 2 SP2: Installation Guide.

4.4.3 Preparing the Installation Media

IMPORTANT:If you have downloaded .iso image files from the Web, it is critical that you verify the integrity of each file as explained in Step 17. Failure to verify file integrity can result in failed installations, especially in errors that report missing files.

Instructions for preparing installation media are located in

4.4.4 Installing OES 2 for Evaluation Purposes

The following sections explain how to activate your OES 2 servers for evaluation purposes. Detailed instructions are found in the platform-specific installation guides.

OES 2 Linux

If you followed the instructions in Section 4.4.2, Downloading OES 2 SP1 Software from the Novell Web Site, you now have two activation codes (for the purchased product and for a 60-day evaluation). As you install OES 2 Linux, you should register with the Novell Customer Center and use these activation codes to enable your server for online updates.

IMPORTANT:Always download the current patches during an installation.

Instructions for using the activation codes during an installation are found in To register the server during the installation: in the OES 2 SP2: Installation Guide.

Use the same activation codes for each OES 2 Linux server you install during the evaluation period.

OES 2 NetWare

All OES 2 NetWare installation media contains a \LICENSE folder with a non-expiring MLA license file in it. You should select this license when you install the first OES 2 NetWare evaluation server in a new tree. Subsequent NetWare installations use the same license.

For an explanation of why an MLA license is now included and to understand the benefits and limitations associated with this change, see NetWare 6.5 SP8 Includes MLA License Files in the NW 6.5 SP8: Licensing Services Administration Guide.

Instructions for installing NetWare licenses are contained in Licensing the NetWare Server in the NW65 SP8: Installation Guide.

4.4.5 Evaluating OES 2

During the evaluation period, we recommend that you fully explore the many services available in OES 2.

To help you get started with the process, we have prepared a lab guide for OES 2 that explores both OES 2 Linux and virtualized OES 2 NetWare on a second OES 2 Linux server. The sections in this guide introduce eDirectory™, walk you through server installations, and provide brief exercises you can complete to get started using OES 2 Services. After completing the exercises in the guide, you can use the lab setup to further explore OES 2 and learn about its many powerful services.

For more information, see the OES 2 SP2: Lab Guide for Linux and Virtualized NetWare.

After working through the lab guide, we recommend that you review all of the information in this guide to gain a comprehensive overview of OES 2 and the planning and implementation processes you will follow to fully leverage its network services.

4.4.6 Installing Purchased Activation Codes after the Evaluation Period Expires

After purchasing Open Enterprise Server, use the instructions in Registering the Server in the Novell Customer Center (Command Line) in the OES 2 SP2: Installation Guide to enter the purchased activation codes that you received with your purchase. After logging in as root, complete the step where you enter the activation codes, replacing the evaluation codes with the purchased codes.