Sun Microsystems 440 manual System Console OpenBoot Configuration Variable Settings

System Console OpenBoot Configuration Variable Settings

The Netra 440 system console is directed to the serial management and network management ports (SERIAL MGT and NET MGT) by default. However, you can redirect the system console to the serial DB-9 port (TTYB), or to a local graphics monitor, keyboard, and mouse. You can also redirect the system console back to the serial management and network management ports.

Certain OpenBoot configuration variables control from where system console input is taken and to where its output is directed. The table below shows how to set these variables in order to use the serial management and network management ports, TTYB, or a local graphics monitor as the system console connection.

TABLE 1-4OpenBoot Configuration Variables That Affect the System Console

	Setting for Sending System Console Output to:
			Local Graphics
	Serial and		Monitor/USB
OpenBoot Configuration	Network		Keyboard and
Variable Name	Management Ports	Serial Port (TTYB)*	Mouse*
output-device	ttya	ttyb	screen
input-device	ttya	ttyb	keyboard

*POST output will still be directed to the serial management port, as POST has no mechanism to direct its output to a graphics monitor.

The serial management port and network management port are present in the OpenBoot configuration variables as ttya. However, the serial management port does not function as a standard serial connection. If you want to connect a conventional serial device (such as a printer) to the system, you must connect it to TTYB, not the serial management port. Refer to the Netra 440 Server Product Overview for more information (817-3881-xx).

It is important to note that the sc> prompt and POST messages are only available through the serial management port and network management port. In addition, the ALOM system controller console command is ineffective when the system console is redirected to ttyb or a local graphics monitor.

In addition to the OpenBoot configuration variables described in TABLE 1-4, there are other variables that affect and determine system behavior. These variables, which are stored on the system configuration card, are discussed in more detail in the Netra 440 Server Product Overview (817-3881-xx).

Chapter 1 Configuring the System Console 31