How to Access the Preboot Menu

1. Connect a terminal or a computer running terminal emulation software to the server's serial management port using an RJ45 serial cable.

   For details on how to log into Oracle ILOM using a serial connection, refer to Connecting to Oracle ILOM in Sun Server X2-8 (formerly Sun Fire X4800 M2) Installation Guide.

2. Reboot Oracle ILOM using one of these methods:

   • From the server Oracle ILOM, enter the command:

     -> reset /SP

   • Power off the server. See the Powering the Server On and Off in Sun Server X2-8 (formerly Sun Fire X4800 M2) Installation Guide.

     The Oracle ILOM reboots, and messages begin scrolling on the screen.

3. Interrupt the Oracle ILOM boot process using one of these methods:

   • After powering on or resetting the SP, press and hold the Locate button on the server front panel until the preboot menu appears.

   • Type in xyzzy when you see the message:

     Booting linux in
      n seconds...

     ---

     Note - You cannot interrupt the Oracle ILOM boot process by typing xyzzy until you have configured the settings as described in Using the edit Command and Configuring the Preboot Menu for Remote Access. One of these settings sets the value of n, which is the amount of time in seconds that the system waits for your input.

     ---

     The Oracle ILOM preboot menu appears as shown here.

   Booting linux in 10 seconds...
   
                           ILOM Pre-boot Menu
                           ------------------
   Type "h" and [Enter] for a list of commands, or "?" [Enter] for
   command-line key bindings.  Type "h cmd" for summary of ’cmd’ command.
   
   Warning: SP will warm-reset after 300 seconds of idle time.
     Set ’bootretry’ to -1 to disable the time-out.
   
   Preboot>

4. Use the preboot menu commands to configure settings, reset the password, and so on.
5. When you are done, enter the boot command to exit the preboot menu and start Oracle ILOM.

See Also

• Preboot Menu Command Summary

• Using the edit Command and Configuring the Preboot Menu for Remote Access