C H A P T E R 10

NVRAM

The Sun Ultra 45 and Ultra 25 workstation motherboards use a nonvolatile random access memory module (NVRAM) that stores parameters used for configuring system startup (FIGURE 10-1). The NVRAM module uses a SEEPROM chip.

The workstation system configuration parameters are stored in NVRAM. These NVRAM parameters contain values that determine the startup configuration of your workstation. You can modify or reset the parameter values by using commands from the ok prompt, or the eeprom command from a terminal window, or by using key commands.

FIGURE 10-1 NVRAM on Motherboard

This chapter contains information about the following topics:

Section 10.1, Obtaining the ok Prompt

Section 10.2, Changing NVRAM Configuration Parameter Values

Section 10.3, Setting NVRAM Security Mode

Section 10.4, eeprom Command

Section 10.5, Key Commands

10.1 Obtaining the `ok` Prompt

When a Sun Ultra 45 or Ultra 25 workstation is put into run level state 0, the ok prompt is displayed. At the ok prompt, you can make changes to the NVRAM and conduct OpenBoot PROM tests (POST and OpenBoot Diagnostics). TABLE 10-1 lists methods for obtaining the ok prompt, listed from most preferred to least desirable.

Caution - The Stop-A key sequence causes a system abort which loses the system state and might corrupt file systems. Method 1 is the preferred procedure.

TABLE 10-1 Methods for Obtaining the `ok` Prompt
Method	Situation	Procedure
1	Operating system is functioning normally. You have superuser access.	Save all data and close all active applications. Become superuser of the system. Type: `#` `init 0`
2	Operating system is functioning normally. You do not have superuser access.	Save all data and close all active applications. Momentarily press and release the front panel Power button. Select Shutdown from the Power Off window (if a GUI is displayed). In a few moments, the system powers off. Momentarily press and release the front panel Power button to power the system back on. When the Power LED flashes, press the Power button twice quickly.
3	System is off.	Momentarily press and release the front panel Power button to power the system back on. When the Power LED flashes, press the Power button twice quickly.
4	Operating system is not functioning normally. You can log in as superuser remotely.	Type: `#` `init 0`
5	System has just been powered on.	When the Power LED flashes, press the Power button twice quickly.
6	No other alternatives are available.	Press the Stop and A keys simultaneously. The Stop-A key sequence causes a system abort that loses the system state and might corrupt file systems.

If you are obtaining the ok prompt to run OpenBoot PROM diagnostics, see OpenBoot PROM.

If you are obtaining the ok prompt to view or change NVRAM configurations, see Changing NVRAM Configuration Parameter Values.

10.2 Changing NVRAM Configuration Parameter Values

The NVRAM configuration parameter values set the startup behavior of the Sun Ultra 45 or Ultra 25 workstation. Changes made to the variables typically survive power cycling and if not configured properly, might have an adverse affect. Use discretion when changing or resetting NVRAM configuration parameter values.

10.2.1 Displaying and Changing Parameter Values

Use the commands listed in TABLE 10-2 to view and modify NVRAM configuration parameter values.

TABLE 10-2 NVRAM Parameter Configuration Commands
Command	Description
`printenv` parameter	Displays the current value for the parameter. If no parameter is provided, all parameters, their current value, and their default value are displayed.
`setenv` parameter value	Sets parameter to value. Values are typically textual or numeric. Changes made with the `setenv` command are permanent, but require a reset or power cycle to take affect.
`set-default` parameter	Resets the parameter to the default value.
`set-defaults`	Resets all parameters to their default values.
`reset-all`	Initiates a warm boot where most NVRAM configuration parameters are read by OpenBoot PROM. With power cycling or a cold boot, all NVRAM configuration parameters are read by the OpenBoot PROM.
`password`	Sets the `security-password.`

You can display your system's current and default parameter values by typing printenv at the ok prompt. For example:

ok printenv

Variable Name         Value                          Default Value

asr-policy            normal                         normal

test-args

diag-passes           1                              1

local-mac-address?    true                           true

fcode-debug?          false                          false

scsi-initiator-id     7                              7

oem-logo                                             No default

oem-logo?             false                          false

oem-banner                                           No default

oem-banner?           false                          false

ansi-terminal?        true                           true

screen-#columns       80                             80

screen-#rows          34                             34

ttyb-rts-dtr-off      false                          false

ttyb-ignore-cd        true                           true

ttya-rts-dtr-off      false                          false

ttya-ignore-cd        true                           true

ttyb-mode             9600,8,n,1,-                   9600,8,n,1,-

ttya-mode             9600,8,n,1,-                   9600,8,n,1,-

output-device         screen                         screen

input-device          keyboard                       keyboard

auto-boot-on-error?   false                          false

error-reset-recovery  sync                           sync

load-base             16384                          16384

auto-boot?            true                           true

boot-command          boot                           boot

diag-file

diag-device           net                            net

boot-file

boot-device           disk net                       disk net

use-nvramrc?          false                          false

nvramrc

security-mode         none                           No default

security-password                                    No default

security-#badlogins   0                              No default

verbosity             min                            min

diag-trigger          none                           none

service-mode?         false                          false

diag-script           normal                         normal

diag-level            max                            max

diag-switch?          false                          false

To change a parameter value, use the setenv command. For example:

ok setenv diag-switch? true

This example enables diagnostics.

Note - Parameters that end with a question mark (?) can only be set true or false.

10.2.2 Configuration Parameter Default Values

Typing set-defaults resets all parameters to their default values. TABLE 10-3 lists the NVRAM configuration parameters, the default values, and a description.

TABLE 10-3 NVRAM Configuration Parameter Default Values
Parameter	Default Value	Description
`asr-policy`	`normal`	Reserved.
`test-args`		Arguments that configure OpenBoot Diagnostics.
`diag-passes`	`1`	Number of passes that diagnostics are to make before continuing to boot.
`local-mac-address?`	`true`	Value of `true` means to use the MAC address within the motherboard.
`fcode-debug?`	`false`	Value of `false` disables debugging of Fcode.
`scsi-initiator-id`	`7`	Identifying number of any SCSI host bus adapter.
`oem-logo`	`no default`	Bitmap of a custom OEM logo.
`oem-logo?`	`false`	Value of `false` disables use of a custom logo.
`oem-banner`	`no default`	Text of a custom OEM banner.
`oem-banner?`	`false`	Value of `false` disables use of a custom banner.
`ansi-terminal?`	`true`	Value of `true` enables the terminal emulator to interpret ANSI escape sequences.
`screen-#columns`	`80`	Number of character columns displayed on the console.
`screen-#rows`	`34`	Number of character rows displayed on the console.
`ttyb-rts-dtr-off`	`false`	Value of `false` disables hardware handshaking for `ttyb`
`ttyb-ignore-cd`	`true`	Value of `true` ignores carrier detect for `ttyb.`
`ttya-rts-dtr-off`	`false`	Value of `false` disables hardware handshaking for `ttya`.
`ttya-ignore-cd`	`true`	Value of `true` ignores carrier detect for `ttya`.
`ttyb-mode`	`9600,8,n,1,-`	Communication parameters for `ttyb`: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, no handshaking.
`ttya-mode`	`9600,8,n,1,-`	Communication parameters for `ttya`: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, no handshaking
`output-device`	`screen`	Device alias of the console output display. `screen` is aliased to the first graphics accelerator found in probe order.
`input-device`	`keyboard`	Device alias of the console input device.
`auto-boot-on-error?`	`false`	Value of `false` disables autoboot upon error.
`error-reset-recovery`	`sync`	Command to be executed upon recovery from an error.
`load-base`	`16384`	Decimal address of the start of the client program.
`auto-boot?`	`true`	Value of `true` enables the system to boot the Solaris OS without intervention.
`boot-command`	`boot`	String that is aliased to the action of booting the system.
`diag-file`		Path and filename of the diagnostics file.
`diag-device`	`net`	Device alias of the hardware that has the diagnostics file.
`boot-file`		Path and filename of the boot file.
`boot-device`	`disk net`	Device alias of the hardware that has the boot file. Aliases may be separated by a space, and are checked in left to right order.
`use-nvramrc?`	`false`	Value of false disables use of the information in the nvramrc space.
`nvramrc`		Storage space for special conditions and variables used for booting the system.
`security-mode`	`No default`	Firmware security level.
`security-password`	`No default`	Firmware security password.
`security-#badlogins`	`No default`	Number of failed security password attempts.
`verbosity`	`min`	Value of min provides almost no output during diagnostics.
`diag-trigger`	`none`	Reserved.
`service-mode?`	`false`	Reserved.
`diag-script`	`none`	Name of the diagnostics script.
`diag-level`	`max`	Value of max enables enhanced diagnostics.
`diag-switch?`	`false`	Value of false disables diagnostics under the OpenBoot PROM.
`network-boot-arguments`	none	Arguments used by the PROM for booting the network.

More information about the NVRAM configuration parameters is available from the eeprom man page.

10.3 Setting NVRAM Security Mode

You can restrict the set of operations that users can perform. When the security-mode parameter is set to either full or command, only users with the security-password may bypass the enforcement policy. TABLE 10-4 lists the different security modes and their conditions.

TABLE 10-4 `security-mode` Values and Their Enforcement Policy
Value	Enforcement Policy
`full`	All commands except `go` require the `security-password`.
`command`	All commands except `boot` (without arguments) and `go` require the `security-password`.
`none`	All commands are available, no password is required.

Caution - You must set the security password before setting the security mode. Forgetting the password or configuring security mode before the password requires a call to customer support to make the system bootable.

To configure security mode:

1. Obtain the ok prompt.

See Obtaining the ok Prompt.

2. Set the security password with one of the following methods:

Type:

ok password

New password (8 characters max)

Retype new password:

ok

Or, type:

ok setenv security-password password

security-password =

ok

This is the only instance in which the security password is ever displayed.

3. Set the security mode to full or command:

ok setenv security-mode full

security-mode =       full

ok

4. Enable the security mode:

ok reset-all

Upon reset, the ok prompt appears as a > symbol and the password is required. For example:

> printenv

Firmware Password:

After supplying the correct password, the command is run. If an incorrect password is supplied, the user is required to wait for 10 seconds until authorization can be re-attempted. For example:

> printenv

Firmware Password:

Sorry.  Waiting 10 seconds.

10.4 `eeprom` Command

It is possible to display and change NVRAM configuration parameters from the Solaris OS by using the eeprom command. The eeprom command is executed by superuser in the form of:

# eeprom parameter=value

If no parameter is specified, the eeprom command displays only the current NVRAM configuration parameter values, similar to the printenv command. For example:

# eeprom

asr-policy=normal

test-args: data not available.

diag-passes=1.

diag-script=normal

diag-level=max

diag-switch?=false

To enable diagnostics, use the eeprom command in this example:

# eeprom diag-switch?=true

The eeprom command requires a system reboot for the changes to take effect. For more information, refer to the eeprom man page.

10.5 Key Commands

This section describes how to use your USB keyboard to abort or reset NVRAM by using the Stop-A or Stop-N equivalent commands:

Stop-A Key Sequence

Stop-N Equivalent Key Sequence Procedure

Before powering on the workstation, ensure that the keyboard and mouse are connected to the rear panel USB ports.

Note - The Stop-A and Stop-N key sequences are sometimes referred to as "OpenBoot Emergency Procedures."

10.5.1 Stop-A Key Sequence

Caution - Using the Stop-A key sequencewhile the Solaris OS is running causes a system halt. The system state is lost, file systems are not synchronized, and data might be lost or corrupted.

Use the Stop-A key sequence to abort an OpenBoot process. To issue the Stop-A key sequence for the Sun Ultra 45 or Ultra 25 workstation, press both the Stop and A keys (Stop-A) immediately after powering on the workstation. Hold both keys down until the workstation beeps.

Note - Using Stop-A does not enable the workstation to perform a core dump. The information from a core dump could be useful if the Solaris Operating System has crashed.

10.5.2 Stop-N Equivalent Key Sequence Procedure

For older Sun systems, issuing the Stop-N key sequence upon startup resets workstation configuration variables. The Sun Ultra 45 and Ultra 25 workstations use a Sun Type-7 USB keyboard. It is not possible to issue a Stop-N key sequence with a USB keyboard. By the time the USB keyboard driver is loaded, the interval to use the Stop-N key sequence has expired. Instead, use the following procedure to reset your workstation configuration variables. This procedure puts the Sun Ultra 45 or Ultra 25 workstation into a Safe NVRAM mode.

10.5.2.1 Resetting the NVRAM Temporarily

1. Power on the workstation and wait until the front panel Power button LED begins to flash.

2. Quickly press the front panel Power button twice (similar to the way you would double-click a mouse).

Note - Once the Power button LED stops flashing and stays lit, pressing the Power button again powers off the system.

A screen similar to the following is displayed to indicate that you have successfully reset NVRAM contents to the default values and the system is in Safe NVRAM mode. If a screen similar to the following screen is not displayed, allow the system to boot, shut down the system, and repeat Steps 1 and 2.

Sun Ultra 45, Keyboard Present

OpenBoot 4.21.x, 1024 MB memory installed, Serial #53463596.

Ethernet address 0:3:ba:2f:ca:2c, Host ID: 832fca2c.

Safe NVRAM mode, the following nvram configuration variables have

been overridden:

  'diag-switch?' is true

  'use-nvramrc?' is false

  'input-device', 'output-device' are defaulted

  'ttya-mode', 'ttyb-mode' are defaulted

These changes are temporary and the original values will be restored

after the next hardware or software reset.

ok

While the workstation is in the Safe NVRAM mode, some of the NVRAM configuration parameters are reset to their default values. The reset parameters include those parameters that are more likely to cause problems, such as TTYA settings. However, these default NVRAM settings are reset only for one power cycle and are not permanent. If you change configuration parameters while in Safe NVRAM mode, those changes are permanent and do survive a reset.

TABLE 10-5 lists the configuration parameters that are reset to default values, and describes those values.

TABLE 10-5 Stop-N Equivalent Configuration Parameters
Parameter	Stop-N Equivalent Value	Description
`diag-switch?`	`true`	Workstation runs in diagnostic mode.
`use-nvramrc?`	`false`	Do not use the contents of `nvramrc`.
`input-device`	`keyboard`	Console input device.
`output-device`	`screen`	Console output device.
`ttya-mode`	`9600,8,n,1,-`	TTYA port default settings. See Setting Up for POST.
`ttyb-mode`	`9600,8,n,1,-`	TTYB port default settings. See Setting Up for POST.

10.5.2.2 Resetting the NVRAM Permanently

When the ok prompt is displayed, typing set-defaults discards any customized NVRAM values and permanently restores the default values for all NVRAM configuration parameters. See TABLE 10-3 for NVRAM configuration parameter default values.

10.5.2.3 Workstation Power Cycling

Use one of the following two methods to perform a workstation power cycle by shutting down and immediately restarting the workstation:

System reboot. A system reboot shuts down any running applications and the operating system, then restarts the operating system. A system reboot does not take to the workstation to a standby power state.

Shutdown and power on. Powering off the workstation shuts down any running applications and the operating system, and takes the workstation to a standby (power-off) state. To restart the workstation, you must manually press the Power button, which initiates the boot process.

10.1 Obtaining the ok Prompt