A networked system is a system connected to a computer network. If you are going to connect the SPARCstation 10 system to an Ethernet network, read this chapter. If you are going to use the SPARCstation 10 system by itself and not connect it to an Ethernet network, read Chapter 4, "Starting Up a Single SPARCstation 10."
Caution -
Getting your system up and running as part of a network requires assistance and information from the person who is in charge of the network. Contact your system administrator before you attempt to perform the procedures in this chapter.
Your system has SunOS system software pre-installed, and goes through an automatic configuration process the first time you power it up. This process, called quick configuration, installs the operating system and connects your system to the network. The quick configuration process requires that the network be prepared in advance to accept your system before you power the system up.
The network preparation is typically done by the person in charge of your network. The network preparation must be done as specified in Quick Configuration of Desktop SPARC on a Network (included with the keyboard) before you power up your system for the first time.
This chapter begins with a brief introduction to networks and the quick configuration process, and then describes:
This chapter assumes you are setting up your basic system before installing additional internal parts or peripheral devices.
Note -
Get your basic system up and running before installing additional
internal parts or peripheral devices. That way you can make sure the basic
system is working as it should.
After your basic system is working, follow the appropriate instructions to add
an internal part or a device. This makes it easier for you to isolate any
problems that might occur. Although it is possible to add devices before you
power up your system for the first time, doing so makes the initial installation
more complex.
A network is two or more systems that can communicate with other systems, and can share software and files. A system that is not connected to any network is called a single system.
If you have more than one SPARCstation 10 system, you will probably want to set up your workstations on a network. Using a network facilitates communication between computer users and encourages sharing of computer resources such as data, files, printers, and so on.
Every SPARCstation 10 system unit has one built-in twisted-pair Ethernet (TPE) port that allows you to connect it to an Ethernet network. You may also use the AUI adapter cable, which can connect your system to a an Ethernet network that uses thick shielded cabling.
You can add more Ethernet ports by purchasing additional Ethernet cards that plug into SBus slots in your system unit. You can also connect your SPARCstation 10 system to other types of networks by purchasing an appropriate network interface card and software.
To use an Ethernet network, an Ethernet cable must be installed at your site and you must have a cable to connect each system to the Ethernet cable. See the person in charge of your network about getting an Ethernet cable for your system.
Note - To connect your system to a network other than Ethernet, refer to the documentation that comes with the network interface.
You can set your system up on a network in one of three ways:
A client system on a network is connected to other systems on an Ethernet cable. Typically a client system gets basic services from a server system via the network. The network administrator must prepare the network to accept a new client by supplying information to a server about the client. This chapter describes how to set up a client system on a network.
The master server provides basic services to other client systems on the network. It must be the first system set up on a new network. If you are setting up a master server, see Chapter 12, "Basic Network Concepts," and Chapter 13, "Working in a Small Network," in the Sun System and Network Manager's Guide.
A slave server is any server installed after the master server.
The quick configuration process, which is pre-installed in your SPARCstation 10 system, installs your system on an Ethernet network. If you are installing the system on a network interface other than Ethernet, see the documentation provided with the network interface for installation procedures.
To use the quick configuration process, you must have your system administrator prepare the master server before you first power up your system.
Note - Do not power on your system until the system administrator has configured the master server software with the information necessary for you to use your system on the network.
To prepare the master server, provide the following information for the system administrator.
This card is included with the keyboard. It is for the SunOS quick configuration process only.
Your system administrator will set up your user account, obtain a network address, and, if necessary, obtain a network information services (NIS) domain name.
If the card is not available, you need to agree with your system administrator on a hostname for your machine and your user name. Give the administrator the Ethernet address of your machine from the Customer Information Sheet in the plastic bag attached to the system unit box.
For the complete text of Quick Configuration of Desktop SPARC on a Network, see the SunOS Release Manual.
To prepare your system for initial power on, you need to physically connect it to the network and check your system setup.
If your system is going to be part of an existing network, you must connect it to the network using a twisted-pair Ethernet (TPE) cable or a thick Ethernet cable.
Caution -
One TPE cable is provided with your system. The TPE cable has plastic
modular plugs at both ends. Both plugs have a plastic snap-lock tab.
Figure 3-1 shows details of the TPE cable plugs.
Figure 3-1 Connecting a Twisted-pair Ethernet (TPE) Cable
Caution -
To connect a twisted-pair Ethernet (TPE) transceiver cable:
The TPE outlet may be set in the wall or the floor, and resembles a telephone set modular jack or outlet.
See Figure 3-1. Push the plug into the outlet until you hear the snap-lock tab "click" and feel the plug making a firm connection.
The Ethernet connector is labeled with an icon.
Figure 3-2 Ethernet Connector on System Unit Back Panel
See Figure 3-2. Push the plug into the connector until you hear the snap- lock tab "click" and feel the plug making a firm connection.
You must use the optional AUI adapter cable for your system. The adapter cable provides one 15-pin D connector for attaching a thick Ethernet cable.
To connect your system to a thick, shielded Ethernet cable:
The thick Ethernet cable outlet may be set in the wall or the floor. The thick Ethernet cable terminates in a 15-pin D connector, but not all 15 pins may be present in the connector.
See Figure 3-3.
Figure 3-3 Connecint the AUI Adapter Cable to the AUI Port
Figure 3-4 Thick Ethernet Cable Connector
To check the basic system setup, make sure that all the power cords and cables are correctly and securely installed.
Make sure that you have connected all the parts of the system - mouse, keyboard, and monitor. Instructions for connecting the parts of the system are in Chapter 2.
Make sure that you have plugged in the power cords for the monitor and the system unit. Instructions for plugging in power cords are in Chapter 2.
Make sure the Ethernet cable (or other network interface connection) is securely connected. See "Connecting a Twisted-pair Ethernet (TPE) Cable" or "Connecting a Thick Ethernet Cable" earlier in this chapter.
The system should be at room temperature before you power it up. If the equipment was shipped when outdoor temperatures were significantly above or below the current room temperature, wait several hours before you begin.
Figure 3-2 shows the basic system setup with TPE cable.
Figure 3-5 Checking System Setup
Installation procedures for internal parts and peripheral devices can be found in the following places:
This document is provided with every Sun SBus card.
This document is provided with with user-installable Sun DSIMMs.
See the Desktop Storage Pack Installation Guide if you ordered a Desktop Backup Pack, Desktop Disk Pack, or Desktop SunCD Pack.
See the Desktop Storage Module Installation Guide if your ordered a Desktop Storage Module.
See the Sun External Storage Module Installation Manual if you ordered an External Storage Module.
Before you turn on the power to your system for the first time, get permission from your system administrator.
To turn on power to your system:
Find the power switch on the monitor. Press the side labeled |.
Press the side of the switch labeled |. See Figure 3-6.
Figure 3-6 Power Switch on System Unit Back Panel
Caution -
The following list describes what happens when the system is successfully powered on.
When the power is turned on, the SPARCstation 10 system runs its power on tests.
Across the right half of the SPARCstation 10 keyboard are three light- emitting diodes (LEDs) that light up to indicate a system part has failed a power-on test. The LEDs are on the Compose, Scroll Lock, and Num Lock keys. See Figure 3-7.
Figure 3-7 Keyboard LEDs
The Caps Lock key, located just above the left-hand Shift key, is not used as a power on test failure indicator. It flashes during power on testing.
The keyboard LED diagnostics are described in Appendix A.
If you have a terminal connected to your system, various system messages may appear on the screen as your system runs its power on tests.
If the system passes its power on tests and your system monitor is operating properly, the SPARCstation 10 system displays a banner screen up to 30 seconds after it is powered on.
This or a similar testing message appears after the banner:
After the system successfully completes its power on tests and displays the banner, it begins the quick configuration process to set up the system software, as described in "Setting Up the System Software," later in this chapter.
If you do not see the banner at least 30 seconds after you turn on the power:
Loose cables are a common source of computer "failures."
If you still do not see the banner, your SPARCstation 10 system may have failed a power-on test. If that happens, call your authorized Sun Service Representative or other service provider for further assistance.
If you have checked the cable connections but still do not see the banner screen:
Note that your monitor is different from a terminal and is not connected to the back panel serial port. For information on installing and configuring a terminal, see Appendix D.
If a replaceable part in your system unit does not "pass" a power on test, a keyboard LED illuminates. Each lit LED indicates a failed part. Watch the LEDs and note which one is lit. The LED may be lit for only a few seconds before the system continues its tests.
When you call your authorized Sun Customer Service Representative or other service provider, you can tell the service engineer which LED was lit. This will help the service engineer restore your system to its full performance potential as quickly as possible.
For more information on the LEDs, see Appendix A, "Sun-5 Keyboard LED Diagnostics."
Note - Once your system is booted and running the operating system, these LEDs are used for the keyboard functions as labeled and should not be interpreted as diagnostic error codes.
After your system passes all the power-on tests and displays the banner, it begins the SunOS quick configuration process, which sets up the system software. This section guides you through the quick configuration process and tells you what to do if quick configuration does not succeed.
Note - If you are installing the system on a network interface other than Ethernet, see the documentation provided with that network interface card for installation procedures now.
The quick configuration process begins immediately after the system displays the banner and passes all the power-on tests. This process automatically configures your system on the network using the information the network administrator has already set up on the master server.
Be sure that you have read all sections of this chapter and have performed all procedures therein.
If the system is set up properly and passes its power-on test, the system completes the installation and displays the Superuser Password screen.
To continue the quick configuration process:
You will be asked to type the same password again in the same way (upper- case and lowercase letters, if any) you typed it the first time.
The system displays the login prompt.
See the information about logging in and logging out in Chapter 1, "Entering the Workspace," in the Sun System User's Guide.
The system software is now set up, and the system is configured into the network.
Note - Inform your system administrator immediately if you were attempting quick configuration and the process did not succeed. If possible, leave your system running.
If your SunOS quick configuration process does not succeed, you may see one or more of the following screens informing you of the process failure.
At this point, you (or your system administrator) can choose one of three options from the Installation Messages screen:
For example, if the system could not find the network address, the following screen appears:
The first screen that comes up lists the information you will need for the manual setup.
Be prepared to supply a hostname, user name and id, user password, and superuser password. You will need the network address of the system, whether you will be using NIS, and your domain name, all of which you can obtain from your system administrator.
See the next section, " Manual Setup."
Contact your system administrator for help.
To configure your system manually after you have chosen option 2 from the following screen:
These are followed by screens with instructions for configuring your time zone and system time.
Note - At any time in the configuration process you can press ? for Help and Control-B or Esc to return to the previous screen. Control-F takes you back to the first screen (either the Hostname screen or the Terminal Type screen).
Enter the number for your terminal type and press Return.
Enter your system (or machine) name and press Return.
Review the time zone instructions displayed on your screen.
Set the time zone correctly so that your system clock will operate correctly.
A submenu of timezones for that category is displayed.
Type ? if you need more information about choosing a time zone.
If you select United States, for example, the system displays the following screen:
The system then sets the internal clock.
The Network screen appears.
The Set Time screen appears.
Enter the correct date and time in one of the following formats and press Return:
Next, the system asks whether your system is attached to a network.
Type 1 in the Network screen and press Return.
Enter the network address you have obtained from your system administrator and press Return.
Find out from your system administrator whether or not your system uses the network information service (NIS). Enter the appropriate selection and press Return.
Get the domain name from your system administrator. Enter the domain name and press Return.
This screen displays the hostname and time zone you specified in the previous screens. Confirm the information as displayed, or start over to change the information.
The system then displays the information you confirm in the Installation screen.
The first screen (either Hostname or Terminal Type) appears.
Follow the directions in the screen to assign the superuser password.
You will be asked to type the same password in the same way you typed it the first time.
If your system does not use NIS, you will be prompted to set up a user account after you have typed a password and pressed Return or have only pressed Return. The screens shown in steps 12 through 16 set up your user account on your system.
If your system does use NIS, the system finishes the booting process and displays the login prompt. Go to step 17.
Read and follow the instructions in the User Account screen.
Type y to begin setting up your account.
Type your full name and press Return.
Type your user name and press Return.
You use this name to log into the system.
Type your user id number and press Return.
Choose a password that only you know. Type your password and press Return.
You will be asked to type the password a second time in the same way you typed it the first time.
The system then finishes the booting process and displays the login prompt.
You can now log into the system with your user name and password.
See the information about logging in and logging out in Chapter 1, "Entering the Workspace," in the Sun System User's Guide.
This completes the manual configuration process.
You have finished Chapter 3, and have done the following:
Now you can read any of the following chapters depending on what you want to do:
