Chapter 1 Configuring the System Console 31
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.
* 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).
TABLE 1-4 OpenBoot Configuration Variables That Affect the System Console
OpenBoot Configuration
Variable Name
Setting for Sending System Console Output to:
Serial and
Network
Management Ports Serial Port (TTYB)*
Local Graphics
Monitor/USB
Keyboard and
Mouse*
output-device ttya ttyb screen
input-device ttya ttyb keyboard