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System Administration Guide: Basic Administration

Procedurex86: How to Boot a System From the Network

This procedure includes instructions for booting an x86 based system from the network with the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant. Note that the behavior of the Device Configuration assistant changed, starting with the Oracle Solaris OS.

Starting with the Solaris 10 1/06 release, GRUB based booting has been implemented on x86 based systems that are running the Solaris OS. The GRUB menu replaces the Device Configuration Assistant. For information about booting an x86 based system from the Network with GRUB, see Booting an x86 Based System from the Network.

There are two network configuration strategies, Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). The default network boot strategy for a PXE network boot is DHCP. The default network boot strategy for non-PXE devices is RARP. For non-PXE devices, you can use either strategy, depending on whether a RARP boot server or a DHCP boot server is available on your network.

Note –

If you use a DHCP server for PXE network boots, additional DHCP configuration is required. For general information on DHCP configuration, see Part III, DHCP, in System Administration Guide: IP Services. If you want to set up your DHCP server to support installation, see Oracle Solaris 10 9/10 Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations.

If you are performing a PXE network boot, or if you are booting the system from the Solaris Software media, the system boots automatically. The Device Configuration Assistant menu is no longer displayed by default. If you are booting a non-PXE device, you will need to follow the steps in this procedure that describe how to enter the Device Configuration Assistant menu to change the network configuration.

  1. Insert the Device Configuration Assistant boot diskette or the Solaris Software media that you want to boot from.

    • Or, use the system or network adapter BIOS configuration program to enable the PXE network boot.

      • If you are using the boot diskette, the first menu of the Device Configuration Assistant is displayed.

      • If you are using the Oracle Solaris Software 1 CD, DVD, or booting a PXE device from the network, the system boots automatically.

        If you choose to change the network configuration and enter the Device Configuration Assistant menu, press ESC when the following message is displayed.


        If the system hardware has changed, or to boot from a different
device, interrupt the autoboot process by pressing ESC.

Press ESCape to interrupt autoboot in 5 seconds.

    The Device Configuration Assistant screen is displayed.

  2. If the system displays the Press any key to reboot prompt, press any key to reboot the system.

    You can also use the reset button at this prompt. If the system is shut down, turn the system on with the power switch.

  3. Press the F2 key (F2_Continue) to scan for devices.

    Device identification is performed. Then, the Identified Devices screen is displayed.

  4. Press the F2 key (F2_Continue) to load drivers.

    Bootable drivers are loaded. Then, the Boot Solaris menu is displayed.

  5. Use the Device Configuration Assistant to change the network configuration.

    1. Press the F4 key (F4_Boot Tasks).

    2. Select Set Network Configuration Strategy. Press the F2 key (F2_Continue).

    3. Select either RARP or DHCP and press the F2 key (F2_Continue).

      Note –

      The previous step applies only if you are booting a non-PXE device from the network. For a PXE network boot, you must use DHCP, which is the default network boot strategy.

      A message that confirms your new network boot strategy is displayed. Your network boot strategy selection is saved as the default network boot method for the next time the diskette is used for booting.

    4. Press F3_Back to return to the Boot Solaris menu.

  6. Select NET as the boot device.

  7. Press F2 to continue to boot the network device.

    The Solaris boot option screen is displayed.