Using the bootadm Command to Manage the Boot Archives

The /sbin/bootadm command enables you to perform the following tasks:

• Manually update the current boot archives on a system.

• List the files and directories that are included in the boot archives on a system.

• x86 only: Maintain the GRUB menu.

• x86 only: Locate the active GRUB menu, as well as the current GRUB menu entries.

The syntax of the command is as follows:

/sbin/bootadm [subcommand] [-option] [-R altroot]

For more information about the bootadm command, see the bootadm(1M) man page.

How to Manually Update the Boot Archive by Using the bootadm Command

1. Become the root user.
2. To update the boot archive, type:

   # bootadm update-archive

   bootadm

   Manages the boot archives on a system.

   update-archive

   Updates the current boot archive, if required. Applies to both SPARC and x86 based systems.

   • To update the boot archive on an alternate root, type:

     # bootadm update-archive -R /a

     -R altroot

     Specifies an alternate root path to apply to the update-archive subcommand.

     ---

     Note - The root (/) file system of any non-global zone must not be referenced with the -R option. Doing so might damage the global zone's file system, compromise the security of the global zone, or damage the non-global zone's file system. See the zones(5) man page.

     ---

3. Reboot the system.

   # reboot

How to List Contents of the Boot Archive

1. Become the root user.
2. To list the files and directories that are included in the boot archive, type:

   # bootadm list-archive

   list-archive

   Lists the files and directories that are included in the boot archive or archives. Applies to both SPARC and x86 based systems.

x86: How to Locate the Active GRUB Menu and List Current Menu Entries

Use this procedure to determine the location of the active GRUB menu and to list current GRUB menu entries.

1. Become the root user.
2. To list the location of the active GRUB menu and current GRUB menu entries, type:

   # bootadm list-menu

   list-menu

   Lists the location of the active GRUB menu, as well as the current GRUB menu entries. Information about the autoboot-timeout, the default entry number, and the title of each entry is included in this listing. Applies to x86 based systems only.

Example 9-1 Listing the Location of the Active GRUB Menu and Current GRUB Menu Entries

# bootadm list-menu
The location for the active GRUB menu is: /stubboot/boot/grub/menu.lst
default=0
timeout=30
(0) Oracle Solaris10
(1) Oracle Solaris11 Express
(2) Linux

x86: How to Set the Default Boot Entry for the Active GRUB Menu

1. Become the root user.
2. To set the default boot entry in the active GRUB menu, type:

   # bootadm set-menu menu-entry

   set-menu

   Maintains the GRUB menu. The location of the active GRUB menu is boot/grub/menu.lst. Applies to x86 bases systems only.

   menu-entry

   Specifies the GRUB menu entry to set as the default.

3. To verify default menu entry has been changed, type:

   # bootadm list-menu

   The new default menu entry should be displayed.

Example 9-2 Switching the GRUB Default Menu Entry

This example shows how to switch the default GRUB menu to one of the menu entries that is displayed in the previous example. The menu entry that is selected is The Linux, menu entry 2.

# bootadm set-menu default=2