Chapter 1 Configuring the System Console 11
Graceful Shutdown
The preferred method of reaching the ok prompt is to shut down the operating
system by issuing an appropriate command (for example, the shutdown, init, or
uadmin command) as described in Solaris system administration documentation.
You can also use the system Power button to initiate a graceful system shutdown.
Gracefully shutting down the system prevents data loss, enables you to warn users
beforehand, and causes minimal disruption. You can usually perform a graceful
shutdown, provided the Solaris OS is running and the hardware has not experienced
serious failure.
You can also perform a graceful system shutdown from the ALOM system controller
command prompt.
ALOM System Controller break or console Command
Typing break from the sc> prompt forces a running Netra 440 server to drop into
OpenBoot firmware control. If the operating system is already halted, you can use
the console command instead of break to reach the ok prompt.
After forcing the system into OpenBoot firmware control, be aware that issuing
certain OpenBoot commands (like probe-scsi, probe-scsi-all, or probe-ide)
might hang the system.
L1-A (Stop-A) Keys or Break Key
When it is impossible or impractical to shut down the system gracefully, you can get
to the ok prompt by typing the L1-A (Stop-A) key sequence from a Sun keyboard. If
you have an alphanumeric terminal attached to the Netra 440 server, press the Break
key.
After forcing the system into OpenBoot firmware control, be aware that issuing
certain OpenBoot commands (like probe-scsi, probe-scsi-all, or probe-ide)
might hang the system.
Note – These methods of reaching the ok prompt will only work if the system
console has been redirected to the appropriate port. For details, see “System Console
OpenBoot Configuration Variable Settings” on page 31.