System Administration Guide, Volume I

SPARC and x86 Information

This book provides system administration information for both SPARC and x86 systems. Unless otherwise noted, information throughout this book applies to both types of systems. Table P-1 summarizes the differences between the SPARC and x86 system administration tasks.

Table P-1 SPARC and x86 System Administration Differences

Category 

SPARC 

x86 

System operation before kernel is loaded 

  • A programmable read-only memory (PROM) chip with a monitor program runs diagnostics and displays device information.

  • It is also used to program default boot parameters and test the devices connected to the system.

  • The basic input/output system (BIOS) runs diagnostics and displays device information.

    A Solaris Device Configuration Assistant boot diskette with the Multiple Device Boot (MDB) program is used to boot from non-default boot partitions, the network, or CD-ROM.

Booting the system 

  • Commands and options at the PROM level are used to boot the system.

  • Commands and options at the MDB, primary, and secondary boot subsystems level are used to boot the system.

Boot programs 

  • bootblk, the primary boot program, loads ufsboot.

  • ufsboot, the secondary boot program loads the kernel.

  • mboot, the master boot record, loads pboot.

    pboot, the Solaris partition boot program, loads bootblk.

  • bootblk, the primary boot program, loads ufsboot.

    ufsboot, the secondary boot program, loads the kernel.

System shutdown 

  • The shutdown and init commands can be used without additional operation intervention.

  • The shutdown and init commands are used but require operator intervention at the type any key to continue prompt.

Disk controllers 

  • SCSI

  • SCSI and IDE

Disk slices and partitions 

  • A disk may have a maximum of eight slices, numbered 0-7.

  • The Solaris fdisk partition may contain up to ten slices, numbered 0-9, but only 0-7 can be used to store user data.

  • A disk may have a maximum of four fdisk partitions.

  • The Solaris fdisk partition may contain up to ten slices, numbered 0-9, but only 0-7 can be used to store user data.

Diskette drives 

  • Desktop systems usually contain one 3.5-inch diskette drive.

  • Systems may contain two diskette drives: a 3.5-inch and a 5.25 inch drive.