Home > Articles > Operating Systems, Server > Solaris

This chapter is from the book

OpenBoot Diagnostics

You can run various hardware diagnostics in OpenBoot to troubleshoot hardware and network problems. The diagnostic commands are listed in Table 3.13.

Table 3.13 - OpenBoot Diagnostic Commands

Command

Description

probe-scsi

Identifies devices attached to a SCSI bus.

probe-ide

Identifies IDE devices attached to the PCI bus.

test <device-specifier>

Executes the specified device's self-test method. For example, test floppy tests the floppy drive (if installed), and test net tests the network connection.

test-all <device-specifier>

Tests all devices that have built-in self-test methods below the specified device tree node. If <device-specifier> is absent, all devices beginning from the root node are tested.

watch-clock

Tests the clock function.

watch-net

Monitors the network connection.


The following examples use some of the diagnostic features of OpenBoot.

To identify peripheral devices currently connected to the system, such as disks, tape drives, or CD-ROMs, you use OpenBoot probe commands. To identify the various probe commands and their syntax, you use the OpenBoot sifting command, as follows:

sifting probe

The system responds with this:

(f006c444) probe-all
(f006bf14) probe-pci-slot
(f006baa4) probe-scsi-all
(f0060de8) probe-pci
. . . <output has been truncated>

The OpenBoot sifting command, also called a sifting dump, searches OpenBoot commands to find every command name that contains the specified string.

This first example uses the OpenBoot probe command, probe-scsi, to identify all the SCSI devices attached to a particular SCSI bus:

ok probe-scsi

This command is useful for identifying SCSI target IDs that are already in use or to make sure that all devices are connected and identified by the system. The system responds with this:

Target 1
    Unit 0  Disk    SEAGATE ST1120N 833400093849
              Copyright  1992 Seagate
              All rights reserved 0000
Target 3
    Unit 0  Disk    MAXTOR LXT-213S SUN2074.20

This example uses the probe-ide command to identify all IDE devices connected to the PCI bus:

ok probe-ide
 Device 0 ( Primary Master )
     ATA Model: ST34321A
 Device 1 ( Primary Slave )
     Not Present
 Device 2 ( Secondary Master )
     Removable ATAPI Model: CRD-8322B
 Device 3 ( Secondary Slave )
     Not Present

NOTE

OpenBoot probe Commands The most common OpenBoot probe commands are probe-scsi and probe-scsi-all, which are used to obtain a free open SCSI target ID number before adding a tape unit, a CD-ROM drive, a disk drive, or any other SCSI peripheral. Only devices that are powered on will be located, so you need to make sure everything is turned on. You can use this command after installing a SCSI device to ensure that it has been connected properly and that the system can see it. You can also use this command if you suspect a faulty cable or connection. If you have more than one SCSI bus, you use the probe-scsi-all command.

This example tests many of the system components, such as video, the network interface, and the floppy disk:

ok test all

To test the disk drive to determine whether it is functioning properly, you put a formatted, high-density disk into the drive and type the following:

ok test floppy

The system responds with this:

Testing floppy disk system. A formatted disk should be in the drive.
Test succeeded.

You type eject-floppy to remove the disk.

Table 3.14 describes other OpenBoot commands you can use to gather information about the system.

Table 3.14 - System Information Commands

Command

Description

banner

Displays the power-on banner

show-sbus

Displays a list of installed and probed SBus devices

.enet-addr

Displays the current Ethernet address

.idprom

Displays ID PROM contents, formatted

.traps

Displays a list of SPARC trap types

.version

Displays the version and date of the startup PROM

.speed

Displays CPU and bus speeds

show-devs

Displays all installed and probed devices


The following example uses the banner command to display the CPU type, the installed RAM, the Ethernet address, the host ID, and the version and date of the startup PROM:

ok banner

The system responds with this:

Sun Ultra 5/10 UPA/PCI (UltraSPARC-IIi 270MHz), Keyboard Present 
OpenBoot 3.15, 128 MB memory installed, Serial #10642306.
Ethernet address 8:0:20:a2:63:82, Host ID: 80a26382.

This example uses the .version command to display the OpenBoot version and the date of the startup PROM:

ok .version

The system responds with this:

Release 3.15 Version 2 created 1998/11/10 10:35
OBP 3.15.2 1998/11/10 10:35
POST 2.3.1 1998/08/07 16:33

This example shows how to use the .enet-addr command to display the Ethernet address:

ok .enet-addr

The system responds with this:

8:0:20:1a:c7:e3

NOTE

Checking the OpenBoot Version from a Shell Prompt You can display the OpenBoot version from a shell prompt by typing this:

/usr/platform/´uname –m´/\sbin/prtdiag –v

To display the CPU information, type the following:

.speed

The system responds with this:

CPU Speed : 270.00MHz
UPA Speed : 090.00MHz
PCI Bus A : 33MHz
PCI Bus B : 33MHz

Input and Output Control

The console is used as the primary means of communication between OpenBoot and the user. The console consists of an input device that is used for receiving information supplied by the user and an output device that is used for sending information to the user. Typically, the console is either the combination of a text/graphics display device and a keyboard, or an ASCII terminal connected to a serial port.

The configuration variables that are related to the control of the console are listed in Table 3.15.

Table 3.15 - Console Configuration Variables

Variable

Description

input-device

Specifies the console input device (usually keyboard, ttya, or ttyb).

output-device

Specifies the console output device (usually screen, ttya, or ttyb).

screen-#columns

Specifies the number of onscreen columns. The default is 80 characters per line.

screen-#rows

Specifies the number of onscreen rows. The default is 34 lines.


You can use the variables in Table 3.15 to assign the console's power-on defaults. These values do not take effect until after the next power cycle or system reset.

If you select keyboard for input-device and the device is not plugged in, input is accepted from the ttya port as a fallback device. If the system is powered on and the keyboard is not detected, the system looks to ttya—the serial port—for the system console and uses that port for all input and output.

You can define the communication parameters on the serial port by setting the configuration variables for that port. These variables are shown in Table 3.16.

Table 3.16 - Port Configuration Variables

Variable

Default Value

ttyb-rts-dtr-off

false

ttyb-ignore-cd

true

ttya-rts-dtr-off

false

ttya-ignore-cd

true

ttyb-mode

9600,8,n,1,-

ttya-mode

9600,8,n,1,-


The value for each field of the ttya-mode variable is formatted as follows:

<baud-rate>,<data-bits>,<parity>,<stop-bits>,<handshake>

The values for these fields are shown in Table 3.17.

Table 3.17 - Fields for the ttya-mode Variable

Field

Values

<baud-rate>

110, 300, 1200, 4800, 9600, 19200

<data-bits>

5, 6, 7, 8

<parity>

n (none), e (even), o (odd), m (mark), s (space)

<stop-bits>

1, 1.5, 2

<handshake>

(none), h (hardware: rts/cts), s (software: xon/xoff)


InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020