This section walks you through the OES software evaluation process and discusses the following topics:
You can evaluate the full OES product on both product platforms. The evaluation software is the complete, fully functional OES product with the latest support pack included.
As you install each server, you are required to accept an end user license agreement (EULA). Your rights to evaluate and use the OES product are limited to the rights set forth in the EULA, which are, briefly, the following:
The evaluation period for OES Linux servers is 30 days. No software updates can be downloaded after the 30-day evaluation period expires.
The evaluation period for OES NetWare® servers is 90 days, after which Novell expects you to either purchase OES or uninstall OES NetWare. Until you do, the OES NetWare servers generate periodic reminders that your evaluation license has expired.
The CD image files ( .iso files) on the Evaluation Web site include the latest OES support pack.
In contrast, the OES CD image files on the Novell How to Buy Web site are for installing the original OES release. Support packs and other patches are not integrated in the files available on the How to Buy site.
Novell Support recommends that you should download and install the evaluation software if you want the latest support pack. When you purchase OES after evaluating the software, you receive a standard Linux activation code and a pair of standard NetWare license files. You can then apply the code and license files to fully license your servers by following the instructions in Section 4.3.7, Installing Standard Activation and License Files after the Evaluation Period Expires.
If you already have OES ISO image files, skip to Section 4.3.4, Preparing the Installation Media.
If you have OES product CDs, skip to Section 4.3.5, Installing OES for Evaluation Purposes.
To download ISO image files from the Web:
If you don’t already have a Novell Account, register for one on the Web.
Access the Novell Downloads Web page.
In the list, click , or search for that exact product name and then click the link.
Click the button (upper-right corner of the first table).
If you are prompted to log in, type your and , then click .
Accept the (required for first downloads only) and answer the survey questions about your download (optional).
Print the Novell Open Enterprise Server SP2 EVAL page. You need the listed MD5 verification numbers to verify your downloads.
On the Novell Open Enterprise Server SP2 EVAL page, scroll down to the section.
Decide which files you need to download for the platforms you plan to evaluate and mark them on the MD5 verification list for later reference and download tracking.
Start downloading the files you need by clicking the respective download button for each file.
In the section, the paragraph, click the link.
Print the Product Registration and Activation page, or write down the .
Click Back to return to the Novell Open Enterprise Server SP2 EVAL page.
In the download table at the top of the page, click the > link at the end of the list of files to download, then print the instructions for reference.
While you wait for the downloads, read through the brief installation instructions, clicking the links for more information.
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 14.
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.
(Optional) If you plan to install OES Linux from files on your network, see the install script download instructions in
Preparing for a Network Installation
in the
OES Linux Installation Guide
.
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 16. Failure to verify file integrity can result in failed installations, especially in errors that report missing files.
Instructions for preparing installation CDs are located in
As explained in Section 4.3.1, Understanding OES Software Evaluation Basics, evaluation installations are enabled through specialized license files for OES NetWare servers and an activation code for OES Linux servers.
The following sections explain when and how you use these files as you install and activate OES servers. Specific instructions are found in the platform-specific installation guides.
When you follow the processes outlined in Section 4.3.3, Downloading OES Software from the Novell Web Site, you are given an activation code on the Product Registration and Activation page. You must either write this code on a piece of paper or print the Web page so that you have the code for later use.
After your OES Linux server installation is complete, you can use the activation code to enable your server for online updates for the 30-day evaluation period. Instructions for using the activation code are found in
Patching an OES Linux Server
in the
OES Linux Installation Guide
Use the same activation code for each OES Linux server you install during the evaluation period.
Both NetWare CDs contain a LICENSE folder with a 90-day evaluation license. You should select this license when you install the first OES NetWare evaluation server in a new tree.
Instructions for installing the evaluation license are contained in
Licensing the NetWare Server
in the
OES NetWare Installation Guide
.
Use the same license files for all OES NetWare servers installed during the evaluation period.
During the evaluation period, we recommend you fully explore the many services available in OES.
To help you get started with the process, we have prepared the following lab guides for each OES platform. These guides introduce eDirectory™, walk you through server installations on both OES platforms, and provide brief exercises you can complete to get started using OES Services.
For more information, see
After working through the lab guides, we recommend you review the information in this guide to gain a comprehensive overview of OES and the planning and implementation processes you will follow to fully leverage its network services.
As part of the purchase process, it is important that you understand the OES licensing model. For a brief description, see Section 28.0, Licensing.
After purchasing Open Enterprise Server, do the following:
OES Linux:
Use the instructions in
Patching an OES Linux Server
in the
OES Linux Installation Guide
to enter the standard activation code received with your purchase. Complete the steps where you enter the activation code, replacing the evaluation code with the standard code. Deactivating the channel is not required.
OES NetWare:
Delete the evaluation license and install the standard license received with your purchase by completing the instructions in
Installing NetWare Licenses
in the
OES NetWare Installation Guide
.