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C H A P T E R  3
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 (or solid state drive), if ordered. The preinstalled OpenSolaris version is OpenSolaris 2009.06 or later.


Note - Unlike with SPARC® systems, you will not see the output of the preinstalled OpenSolaris image through a monitor when you power on the server. Instead, the output of the preinstalled image is directed to a serial console.

Before You Begin

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

1. If your system contains a service processor (SP) module, perform initial configuration of the server’s Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) service processor and determine the server’s network settings, as described in Connecting to the ILOM Service Processor.

2. Ensure that main power has been applied to the server. For more information, see To Power On Main Power Mode.

3. Gather the information that you will need for the configuration, as listed in Installation Worksheet. Note that default values are indicated by an asterisk (*).


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.

4. The server ships with its console redirected to the serial port. You can choose an option to send the output to VGA (video port). For more information, see Redirect the Console Output to the Video Port (Optional).

Installation Worksheet

Use the worksheet in TABLE 3-1 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 3-1 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 this 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 - If your system contains a service processor, you need to set it up before you perform this procedure. If you have not done so, see Before You Begin.

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


Note - This procedure can be used only for systems that contain an SP module.

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 - If the speed is anything other than 9600, change it using this command:
-> set /SP/serial/host pendingspeed=9600 commitpending=true

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

-> start /SP/console

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


Note - This procedure can be used for systems that contain an SP and systems that do not contain an SP. If your system does not contain an SP module, skip Step 3 and Step 4 and continue with instructions in Configure the Preinstalled OpenSolaris Operating System.

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 a 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. Press and release the main Power button on the server front panel.

Power-on self-test (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  Redirect the Console Output to the Video Port (Optional)

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.


Note - If your server does not contain an SP module or an optional video card, connect the monitor to the server serial port. Video is routed to the server serial port in systems that do not contain an SP or a video card.

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 3-1).

FIGURE 3-1 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  To Modify the GRUB Menu to Auto Boot (Optional)

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 timeout line to reflect the duration you want the menu to be presented.

For example, for a 10-second delay, change the timeout value to 10.

2. Add a line that specifies the default boot entry.

For example, to specify the first entry, add default 10.

Getting Started on OpenSolaris

For information on getting started on OpenSolaris, click the Start Here icon on the OpenSolaris Desktop (see FIGURE 3-2).

FIGURE 3-2 OpenSolaris Desktop


Graphic showing OpenSolaris Desktop screen.

OpenSolaris Operating System User Information

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

OpenSolaris User Documentation

You can access the various collections of the OpenSolaris OS user documentation at:

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

OpenSolaris Training

Sun provides flexible training options that accommodate your personal schedule and learning style. The training options include instructor-led, web-based online, CD-ROM, and Live Virtual Class. For OpenSolaris Training and Certification options at a glance, go to:

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

Using the OpenSolaris Installation Program

The documentation listed in this section provides instructions for using the OpenSolaris installation program and is available 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



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