Advanced Boot Loader Configuration - Red Hat ENTREPRISE LINUX 5 Installation Manual

Note
The Label column lists what you must enter at the boot prompt, in non-graphical boot
loaders, in order to boot the desired operating system.
Once you have loaded the GRUB boot screen, use the arrow keys to choose a boot label
or type e for edit. You are presented with a list of items in the configuration file for the boot
label you have selected.
Boot loader passwords provide a security mechanism in an environment where physical access to
your server is available.
If you are installing a boot loader, you should create a password to protect your system. Without a
boot loader password, users with access to your system can pass options to the kernel which can
compromise your system security. With a boot loader password in place, the password must first be
entered before selecting any non-standard boot options. However, it is still possible for someone with
physical access to the machine to boot from a diskette, CD-ROM, or USB media if the BIOS supports
it. Security plans which include boot loader passwords should also address alternate boot methods.
If you choose to use a boot loader password to enhance your system security, be sure to select the
checkbox labeled Use a boot loader password.
Once selected, enter a password and confirm it.
GRUB recognizes only the QWERTY keyboard layout
When selecting a GRUB password, be aware that GRUB recognizes only the QWERTY
keyboard layout, regardless of the keyboard actually attached to the system. If you use
a keyboard with a significantly different layout, it might be more effective to memorize a
pattern of keystrokes rather than the word that the pattern produces.
To configure more advanced boot loader options, such as changing the drive order or passing options
to the kernel, be sure Configure advanced boot loader options is selected before clicking Next.
Important — multipath devices
If you are installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux on a network device accessible through
multiple paths, ensure that you select Configure advanced boot loader options before
you click Next.

4.20.1. Advanced Boot Loader Configuration

Now that you have chosen which boot loader to install, you can also determine where you want the
boot loader to be installed. You may install the boot loader in one of two places:
• The master boot record (MBR) — This is the recommended place to install a boot loader, unless
the MBR already starts another operating system loader, such as System Commander. The MBR
is a special area on your hard drive that is automatically loaded by your computer's BIOS, and is
the earliest point at which the boot loader can take control of the boot process. If you install it in
Advanced Boot Loader Configuration
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