Installation FAQs
The Installation FAQs
Basic
Is Untangle available in other languages besides English?
Not currently. We are looking at providing support for non-English installations in the future.
Why does the installation screen freeze when I try to install a CD image?
When you try to install a CD image of the Untangle Server on an existing computer and if you don't meet the hardware requirements, your installation might hang. In this case, the blue installation screen freezes at Please Wait. If you meet the hardware requirements, contact Technical Support. However, before you contact Technical Support, from the frozen installation screen, press the Esc key, then record the last line of the screen output.
What configurations does Untangle Server support?
There are two basic configurations:
- Untangle Server as a Router
- Untangle Server as a Bridge
For more information, go to Supported Configurations.
How do I replace my DSL router with the Untangle Server?
Before you can install the Untangle Server as a router as discussed in Untangle Server as a Router, you must log on to your DSL router's administrative console and disable routing on the DSL router. Downgrading a DSL router to a modem is different for each product and model.
What is an ISO Image?
In the context of files and programs, an "image", whether an ISO, floppy, or other media image, is simply a file that can be used as a virtually identical copy of the original media. This file not only contains individual data files, but it also contains track and sector information and arranges all this information in a file system, just like disk media. Image files, unlike normal files, are usually not opened; rather, they are mounted.
An ISO image is simply a CD-ROM image saved in ISO-9660 format. A full description of this format is available here.
ISO images are mainly used as source files from which to create CDs. Once you download the image, you can use CD burning software to recreate the physical CD-ROM install media.
How do I burn Untangle Server software to a CD?
You need special software to burn Untangle Server Software to CD because you must burn an ISO image. Unlike other operating systems, Windows cannot create or copy ISO images. However, there is special software that you can install on Windows to burn ISO images. Image files, unlike the music and videos files that you burn, cannot be opened; rather, they must be mounted. ISO images are mainly used as source files from which to create CDs.
Tip: Burn the image to two CDs so that you have a backup, or save the ISO image so that you can make a backup CD later.
Once you download the image (.iso file) from Untangle's website, simply use ISO CD burning software to recreate the physical CD-ROM install media.
Tip: Double-clicking the downloaded .iso image file will likely launch your burner software with the image file preselected. When your burner software has launched, simply insert a blank disc and click the Write button.
To recreate the physical CD-ROM install media (using Burn At Once software):
- Launch the interface.
- Click File.
- Click Load New Image...
- Select the Untangle CD image file that you downloaded and saved to your computer.
- Insert a blank CD-R disc, and click the Write button.
ISO CD Burners:
| OS | Product | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | CDBurnerXP (Free) | http://cdburnerxp.se/download.php |
| Windows | ISO Burner (Free) | http://www.ntfs.com/iso_burner_free.htm |
| Windows | InfraRecorder (Open source) | http://infrarecorder.sourceforge.net/ |
| Windows | Burn At Once | http://www.burnatonce.net/downloads |
| Windows/Vista | ISO Recorder (not tested by Microsoft) | http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm |
| Windows | Nero | http://www.afterdawn.com/software/cdr_software/cdr_applications/nero.cfm |
How do I boot from a CD-ROM drive?
In order to install the Untangle Server onto an existing computer using a CD, as outlined in the Untangle Server Quick Start Guide, you need to boot from that computer's CD-ROM drive with the Untangle Server CD. If this is your first time booting from a CD, have no fear. Do the following, but read all the steps before you perform the following procedure because precise timing is required:
To change the boot sequence:
- Turn on the computer.
- Insert the Untangle Server CD in the drive.
- Turn off the computer with the CD in the drive.
- Turn on the computer again, and wait a few seconds before you see a screen that says BIOS. The BIOS screen only appears for a few seconds, so perform the next step quickly.
- Press the appropriate F key to launch the BIOS setup program. Your computer uses one of several keys for launching the BIOS setup program, depending on the manufacturer. The F2, F10 or Del key is commonly used for this. If you don't see on the screen which key to use, try these. Repeat steps 3-5 until you determine the key which launches the Bios setup program.
- In the BIOS setup program, select the Boot Sequence (or similar) menu option.
- Use the menu commands to promote the CD-ROM drive to position #1 and hard drive to #2. In many systems, U promotes a device.
- Save your changes by pressing the Esc key, then selecting Save.
Important: After you install the Untangle Server, the Untangle Server shuts down. When you turn it on again, repeat Steps 4-6 to change the boot sequence back to its original order so that the Untangle Server can boot from the hard drive. If you don't, the Untangle Server boots from the CD thereby reinstalling the software.
Did you get all that? ;)
I want to install Untangle on a machine which doesn't have a CD-ROM drive. What should I do?
There are many options here, not least temporarily placing that machine's hard drive in a different machine which does have a CD-ROM drive - this is the easiest solution for most people. If you are technically able you can find a guide describing how to convert the Untangle ISO image into a bootable USB flash drive here: Installing Untangle from a USB Flash Disk.
I just finished installing, but Untangle isn't properly booting - what can I try?
From the GRUB prompt you can try High Resolution Mode if you suspect it's a video issue, or Hardware Recovery Mode if you think it may be hardware related.
Advanced
Can I install Untangle on a dual boot machine?
No. Untangle is designed to run on a dedicated computer. Booting to an Untangle or non-Untangle partition would also imply different network configurations depending on how the machine was booted. If you don't have a spare computer available, consider installing Untangle as a virtual appliance under VMWare.
Is it possible to virtualize a copy of Untangle Server?
Yes, Untangle currently supports a virtual appliance running on VMware. Details are here.
Search Untangle Forums for more virtualization threads.
