C H A P T E R  4

Configuring the Preinstalled OpenSolaris Operating System

This chapter explains the steps for configuring the OpenSolaris Operating System (OS) that is preinstalled on the hard disk drive, if ordered. The preinstalled OpenSolaris version is OpenSolaris 2009.06 or later.



Note - Unlike with SPARC® systems, by default console output is redirected to the Serial Port. You will see the BIOS power-on self-test (POST) and other boot information output on the serial port.


This chapter includes the following topics:


Before You Begin

Before you begin configuring the preinstalled OpenSolaris OS, do the following:



Note - To identify the MAC address for a server or other chassis components, see the Customer Information Sheet (shipped with the component), or inspect the printed MAC address label attached to the server or chassis component.


Installation Worksheet

Use the worksheet in TABLE 4-1 to gather the information that you need to configure the preinstalled OpenSolaris OS. You only need to collect the information that applies to your application of the system.


TABLE 4-1 Worksheet for OpenSolaris Configuration

Information for Installation

Description or Example

Your Answers:
Defaults (*)

Language

Select from the list of available languages for the OpenSolaris software.

English*

Locale

Select your geographic region from the list of available locales.

 

Terminal

Select the type of terminal that you are using from the list of available terminal types.

 

Network connection

Is the system connected to a network?

  • Networked
  • Non-networked*

DHCP

Can the system use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to configure its network interfaces?

  • Yes
  • No*

If you are not using DHCP, note the network address:

IP address

If you are not using DHCP, supply the IP address for the system.

Example: 129.200.9.1

 

Subnet

If you are not using DHCP, is the system part of a subnet?

If yes, what is the netmask of the subnet?

Example: 255.255.0.0

255.255.0.0*

IPv6

Do you want to enable IPv6 on this machine?

  • Yes
  • No*

Host name

Choose a host name for the system.

 

Kerberos

Do you want to configure Kerberos security on this machine?

If yes, gather the following information:

Default realm:

Administration server:

First KDC:

(Optional) Additional KDCs:

  • Yes
  • No*

 

Name service

Name service

If applicable, which name service should this system use?

  • NIS+
  • NIS
  • DNS
  • LDAP
  • None*

Domain name

Provide the name of the domain in which the system resides.

 

NIS+ and NIS

Do you want to specify a name server, or let the installation program find one?

  • Specify One
  • Find One*

DNS

Provide IP addresses for the DNS server. You must enter at least one IP address, but you can enter up to three addresses.

You can also enter a list of domains to search when a DNS query is made.

Search domain:

Search domain:

Search domain:

 

LDAP

Provide the following information about your LDAP profile:

Profile name:

Profile server:

If you specify a proxy credential level in your LDAP profile, gather the following information:

Proxy-bind distinguished name:

Proxy-bind password:

 

Default route

Do you want to specify a default route IP address, or let the OpenSolaris installation program find one?

The default route provides a bridge that forwards traffic between two physical networks. An IP address is a unique number that identifies each host on a network.

You have the following choices:

  • You can specify the IP address. An /etc/defaultrouter file is created with the specified IP address. When the system is rebooted, the specified IP address becomes the default route.
  • You can let the OpenSolaris installation program detect an IP address. However, the system must be on a subnet that has a router that advertises itself by using the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) for router discovery. If you are using the command-line interface, the software detects an IP address when the system is booted.
  • You can select None if you do not have a router or do not want the software to detect an IP address at this time. The software automatically tries to detect an IP address on reboot.
  • Specify One
  • Detect One
  • None*

Time zone

How do you want to specify your default time zone?

  • Geographic region*
  • Offset from GM
  • Time zone file

Root password

Choose a root password for the system.

 



Configuring the Preinstalled OpenSolaris Operating System



Note - Before you perform this procedure, you need to set up the service processor. If you have not done so, see Connecting to the Service Processor For Configuration.


Use the information that you gathered in Installation Worksheet as you perform the configuration.

After configuring the server ILOM service processor (SP), you can configure the preinstalled OpenSolaris Operating System (OS) over the network using Secure Shell (SSH) or locally using the SER MGT port to connect to the system console.

Configuration instructions, see the following topics:


procedure icon  Accessing the System Over the Network

1. Log in to ILOM:

a. In a networked terminal window, enter ssh root@<IP_address>

Where <IP_address> is internet address of the server in the format xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx.

b. At the password prompt, enter the default password changeme.

ILOM displays a default command prompt (- >), indicating that you have successfully logged in to ILOM.

2. Verify that the communication properties of the service processor are set to the defaults.

For example:


-> show /SP/serial/host
/SP/serial/host
    Targets:
 
    Properties:
        commitpending = (Cannot show property)
        pendingspeed = 9600
        speed = 9600
 
    Commands:
       cd
       show



Note - The speed must 9600. You can change the speed to 9600 using the following command:
-> set /SP/serial/host pendingspeed=9600 commitpending=true


3. Start the serial console mode by entering the following command:

-> start /SP/console



Note - Only accounts with Administrator privileges are enabled to configure the SP.


4. When the following prompt appears, type y:

Are you sure you want to start /SP/console (y/n)? y


procedure icon  Accessing the System Locally

1. Use a cable to connect the SER MGT port of the host server to the serial port of the client system.

2. To access the system console, start a terminal session using one of the following methods:

Type the appropriate command to start a terminal session. For example, you can start a terminal session on an OpenSolaris console by typing:

$tip -9600 /dev/ttya

Open the appropriate program to start a terminal session. For example, you can start a terminal session on a Windows console by selecting:

Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Communications -> Hyperterminal

Type the appropriate command to start a terminal session. For example, to start a terminal session on a Linux console, you could launch Minicom.

Minicom is a text-based serial communication program that is included in the Linux distributions. For more information, see the man pages included in the Linux distribution.

3. Press Enter on the terminal device to establish a connection between the terminal device and the ILOM SP.

ILOM displays a login prompt, after a short wait.

login:



Note - If you connect to the serial port on the server before the ILOM SP has been powered on or during its power-on sequence, SP boot messages might be displayed prior to the login prompt.


4. Type the default user name and password to log in to the ILOM SP.

Username: root

Password: changeme

ILOM displays a default command prompt (- >), indicating that you have successfully logged in to ILOM.


procedure icon  Configure the Preinstalled OpenSolaris Operating System

1. Apply main power to the server by using a nonconductive pointed object or stylus to press the recessed Power button on the front panel.

For additional information about powering on your server, see Powering the Server On and Off.

POST messages appear on your screen as the OS boots up.

2. Follow the OpenSolaris preinstallation on-screen prompts.

3. Use the information gathered in Installation Worksheet to help you enter the system and network information as you are prompted.

The screens that are displayed will vary, depending on the method that you chose for assigning network information to the server (DHCP or static IP address).

After you have entered the system configuration information, the server completes the boot process and displays the OpenSolaris login prompt.


procedure icon  (Optional) Redirect the Console Output to the Video Port

GRUB, the open source boot loader, is the default boot loader in the OpenSolaris OS for x86-based or x64-based systems. The boot loader is the first software program that runs after you power on a system.

1. Connect to the server over the network or locally as described in these procedures:

2. From the GRUB menu, you have the option of displaying the installation process to a TTYA connection (serial port) or a VGA connection (video port) (see FIGURE 4-1).

FIGURE 4-1 OpenSolaris GRUB Menu Screen


Graphic showing GRUB menu screen.

3. To display output to the video port, choose this option:

OpenSolaris 2009.06 - Graphics Adapter


procedure icon  (Optional) Modify the GRUB Menu to Auto Boot

The GRUB menu on the preinstalled image has been configured for an infinite timeout so that you can choose the console output on power-up. However, you can modify this setting so that your system boots automatically.

To modify the GRUB menu to auto boot, edit the /rpool/boot/grub/menu.1st file as follows:

1. Change the -1 value on the time-out line to reflect the duration you want the menu to be presented. For example, for a 10-second delay, set the -1 on the time-out line to 10.

2. Add a line that specifies the default boot entry. For example, to specify the first entry, set the default to 10.


Getting Started on OpenSolaris

For information on getting started on OpenSolaris, click the Start Here icon on the OpenSolaris Desktop (see FIGURE 4-2).

FIGURE 4-2 OpenSolaris Desktop


Graphic showing OpenSolaris Desktop


Configuring Server RAID Drives

After you configure the OpenSolaris OS, you might need to configure the RAID drives.

RAID Drive Overview

The Sun Fire X4450 server has two optional host bus adapter (HBA) cards. You can access RAID configuration through the HBA card BIOS. To access the LSI HBA card BIOS, press CTRL-C during the system boot. To access the Sun StorageTek HBA card BIOS, press CTRL-A during the system boot.


TABLE 4-2 Sun Fire X4450 server Servers HBA Cards

HBA Cards

Press for BIOS

Sun StorageTek

CTRL-A

LSI 3081E

CTRL-C


The OpenSolaris OS is preinstalled on hard disk drive 0 (HDD0). When the OpenSolaris OS installation is complete, the option to upgrade your single-disk OS to a mirrored RAID solution is available.

The configuration procedure is different for each supported HBA card. For example, a Sun StorageTek HBA card has many more options for RAID configuration than does an LSI HBA card. Configure the RAID depending on your needs as shown in TABLE 4-3.



Note - Configuring RAID for the server is optional. By default the OpenSolaris preinstalled image is configured in a non-RAID configuration. If anything other than a basic mirror RAID is required, it is recommended that you perform a fresh install of the OpenSolaris Operating System (or other OS) in the desired RAID configuration.


RAID Drive Options

TABLE 4-3 lists the RAID drive options.

 

TABLE 4-3 RAID Drive Options

SAS Card

Drives Supported

RAID Configuration Supported

Drive Usage

Sun StorageTek

Seagate 73 GB SAS

Volume - 1 disk

 

 

Fujitsu 73 GB SAS

RAID 0 - stripe - 2 disk minimum

No redundancy

 

Seagate 146 GB SAS

RAID 1 - mirror - 2 disk minimum

50%

 

 

RAID 1E - 3 drive minimum

50%

 

 

RAID 10 - 4 drive minimum

50%

 

 

RAID 5 - 3 drive minimum

67-94%

 

 

RAID 5EE - 4 drive minimum

50-88%

 

 

RAID 50 - 6 drive minimum

67-94%

 

 

RAID 6 - 4 drive minimum

50-88%

 

 

RAID 60 - 8 drive minimum

50-88%

 

 

Spanned Volume - 2 drive minimum

100%

 

 

RAID Volume - 4 drive minimum

50-100%

LSI 3081E

Seagate 73 GB SAS

IM - Integrated Mirror array. 2 disk minimum, plus up to 2 hot spare disks.

Data on primary disk might be merged.

 

Fujitsu 73 GB SAS

IME - Integrated Mirror Enhanced array. 3 to 8 disks including up to 2 hot spares.

All data will be deleted during creation.

 

Seagate 146 GB SAS

IS - Integrated Striping array. 2 to 8 disks.

All data will be deleted during creation.



Mirroring the Preinstalled OpenSolaris OS With LSI RAID

The OpenSolaris OS supports hardware RAID and cannot be installed on an existing array if one has been created.

If you choose the preinstalled OpenSolaris OS and want to make the OS part of a RAID set, and if you are using the LSI HBA card only, perform the following procedure to update the preinstalled OpenSolaris OS to a mirrored RAID set. As noted in TABLE 4-3, only Integrated Mirror (IM) allows data on the primary hard disk drive (HDD) to be preserved or merged into an array of disks.

This procedure describes how to create a mirror image of the OS before or after the OpenSolaris installation. When the server has two or more hard disk drives, the OpenSolaris OS is preinstalled on HDD0. You can mirror the OpenSolaris OS to any of the other hard disk drives.


procedure icon  Create a Mirror Image of the Preinstalled OpenSolaris OS With LSI RAID

To create a mirror image of the OpenSolaris OS on a hard disk drive:

1. Power on your server for the first time.

2. Press CTRL-C to access the LSI RAID Configuration utility.

3. Select the HBA card, then press Enter.

4. Choose RAID Properties.

5. Create an Integrated Mirror (IM) for the required disk configuration.

6. Select the hard disks to be used. Use the right arrow key to move the cursor to the RAID column, then press the space bar to include disks into the RAID.

7. Because HDD0 contains data, select merge or delete:

8. Press C to create the RAID and start the sync operation.

9. Click Exit to save the configuration and close the menu.

10. Press Esc to exit the Configuration utility.

11. Reboot the OpenSolaris OS.


Mirroring the Preinstalled OpenSolaris OS With Sun StorageTek HBA Card

The Sun StorageTek host bus adapter (HBA) card enables you to choose from many RAID configurations. How you configure your system depends on your system requirements and the available hard disk drives in the system.

This procedure describes how to mirror the preinstalled OpenSolaris OS. This is the better option, and all remaining disks (should there be more than two) are incorporated into a DATA RAID set using the available options as shown in TABLE 4-3.

You will need the Sun Fire X4450 Server Tools & Drivers CD.


procedure icon  Create a Mirror Image of the Preinstalled OpenSolaris OS With Sun StorageTek

Follow these steps to mirror your configured OpenSolaris OS:

1. Using your OpenSolaris server (the server that contains the preinstalled OpenSolaris OS), log in and start Xserver.

This graphical user interface is required for StorageTek Software Management.

2. Make a new directory on your OpenSolaris server, type:

mkdir /StorMan

3. Insert the supplied Tools & Drivers CD, and copy the StorMan.dss application, located in the /mount-point/RAIDmgmt/StorageTEK/solaris directory, to the new directory you created on your OpenSolaris server, for example, /StorMan.

4. Change the permissions of the new directory and StorMan application by typing:

chmod 777 StormMan.pkg

5. Type the following command to install the application:

pkgadd -d StorMan.pkg

6. Choose to install all components when prompted.

7. To run the application, type:

sh /opt/StorMan/StorMan.sh

A split screen appears.

8. Click the screen to activate the Managed Systems List.

9. Double-click the local machine (it is displayed by IP Address of the Primary ENET connection).

A prompt appears.

10. At the prompt, log in as root, using the OS password that was assigned during OpenSolaris installation.

11. Click the SUN STK RAID Controller.

All attached hard disk drives on Enclosure 0 and 1 appear.



Note - HDD0 (on which the preinstalled OpenSolaris OS is installed) should be Enclosure 0 Logical Volume 1.


12. To mirror the OS, right-click Logical Device 1 and choose Expand or Change Logical Device.

13. Choose the appropriate RAID option (in this example, RAID 1 for Mirror).

14. Choose a disk to mirror the OS with, from the physical disk list.

Select the hard disk drive that best fits your needs.

15. After you select the hard disk drive, click Next, and then view the configuration summary.

16. Click Apply to start the mirroring process.

A confirmation screen appears.

To perform the mirroring process at a later time, you can click Schedule.

17. Click Confirm to start the mirroring process.

The OS begins to mirror. Mirroring can take several hours, depending on the amount of data and the hard disk drive size.


OpenSolaris Operating System User Information

This section provides pointers to information about the OpenSolaris Operating System.

http://opensolaris.org/os/documentation/

http://www.opensolaris.com/learn/subscriptions/


Using the OpenSolaris Installation Program

You can find instructions for using the OpenSolaris installation program at the following web site:

http://dlc.sun.com/osol/docs/content/2009.06/getstart/index.html

After you configure the preinstalled OpenSolaris OS, the OpenSolaris installation program reboots the system and prompts you to log in.


Reinstalling the OpenSolaris Operating System

If you want to reinstall the OpenSolaris OS or install a different version of the OpenSolaris OS, refer to Getting Started With OpenSolaris 2009.06 at:

http://dlc.sun.com/osol/docs/content/2009.06/getstart/

Download OpenSolaris Operating System

You can download software for the OpenSolaris OS from the following sites:

http://opensolaris.org/os/TryOpenSolaris/

http://sunsolve.sun.com/show.do?target=opensolaris