Specific Problems and Solutions

Failure of Network Communications

Description of the Problem

The system cannot communicate with a network if the system and the network hub are not set in the same way for the Ethernet Link Integrity Test. This problem particularly applies to 10BASE-T network hubs, where the Ethernet Link Integrity Test is optional. This is not a problem for 100BASE-T networks, where the test is enabled by default.

If you connect the system to a network and the network does not respond, use the OpenBoot command watch-net-all to display conditions for all network connections:

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ok watch-net-all

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For SBus Ethernet cards, the test can be enabled or disabled with a hardware jumper, which you must set manually. For the TPE and MII onboard ports on the I/O+ board, the link test is enabled or disabled through software, as shown below.

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Note -

The TPE and MII ports share some circuitry so do not try to use the two ports at the same time.

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Note -

Some hub designs do not use a software command to enable/disable the test, but instead permanently enable (or disable) the test through a hardware jumper. Refer to the hub installation or user manual for details of how the test is implemented.

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Determining the Device Names of the I/O+ Boards

To enable or disable the link test for an on-board TPE (hme) port, you must first know the device name for the I/O+ board. To list the device names:

1. Shut down the system and take the system into OpenBoot.

2. Determine the device names of the I/O+ boards:

   1. Type:

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      ok show-devs
      

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   2. In the show-devs listing, find the node names.

      Node names take the general form /sbus@3,0/SUNW,hme@3,8c00000.

Solution 1

Use this method while the operating system is running:

1. Become superuser.

2. Type:

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   # eeprom nvramrc="probe-all install-console banner apply disable-link-pulse 
   device-name "
     (Repeat for any additional device names.)
   # eeprom "use-nvramrc?"=true
   

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3. Reboot the system (when convenient) to make the changes effective.

Solution 2

Use this alternate method when the system is already in OpenBoot:

1. At the monitor OpenBoot prompt, type:

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   ok nvedit
   0: probe-all install-console banner
   1: apply disable-link-pulse device-name
   (Repeat this step for other device names as needed.) 
   (Press CONTROL-C to exit nvedit.)
   ok nvstore
   ok setenv use-nvramrc? true

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2. Reboot to make the changes effective.

Resetting and Power Cycling the System from a Remote Console

It is possible to reset the system or cycle power from the remote console under these conditions:

• The console must be connected to port A on the clock+ board.

• The key switch must be in either the On or Diagnostic setting. If the key switch is in the Secure or Off position, the remote key sequences and button resets are ignored.

• Security features permit the use of the remote console.

• You must use a slow typing speed, not less than 0.5 seconds and not more than 5 seconds between characters.

Table 9-4 Remote Console Commands

Command	Enter this sequence
Remote power off/on	<CR> <CR> <~> <Control-Shift-p>
Remote system reset	<CR> <CR> <~> <Control-Shift-r>
Remote XIR (CPU) reset	<CR> <CR> <~> <Control-Shift-x>
Key: <CR> = ASCII 0d hexadecimal, <~> = ASCII 7e hexadecimal, <Control-Shift-p> = 10 hexadecimal,  <Control-Shift-r> = 12 hexadecimal, <Control-Shift-x> = 18 hexadecimal.

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Note -

The remote console logic circuit continues to receive power even if you have commanded system power off.

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The remote system reset command is useful for resetting the system under general conditions. The remote XIR reset command is used for software development and debugging.