The OpenBoot firmware determines the hardware configuration of a system or virtual machine, prepares memory, and initializes I/O devices by executing their device drivers. OpenBoot also boots the operating system from a storage device or a network if configured to automatically boot.
OpenBoot can be used for other server administration tasks below the OS level. Some devices contain firmware written in the FCode language that enables additional commands which you can enter at the OpenBoot prompt (ok). Some of those FCode-based commands are described in FCode-Based RAID Utility Commands.
The OpenBoot firmware is based on the IEEE Standard 1275-1994 for Boot (Initialization Configuration) Firmware: Core Requirements and Practices specification.
OpenBoot operating characteristics are controlled by configuration variables that are stored in nonvolatile memory (NVRAM). You can change the configuration variable values to tailor operating characteristics to your environment.
New OpenBoot properties are available on this server to accommodate booting an iSCSI device over IB. Also, a new OpenBoot variable has been added.
Lists device paths to OpenBoot accessible storage devices that comprise a boot pool. These are the devices that Oracle Solaris will use when booting. You can view this property with the .properties command under the /chosen node at the OpenBoot prompt.
Lists storage devices that include fall back images. You can view this property with the .properties command under the /chosen node at the OpenBoot prompt.
Defines devices and root file systems for root pools. This is a nonvolatile variable that you can view using the printenv command at the OpenBoot prompt or using the eeprom command at the Oracle Solaris prompt.
For more information about OpenBoot commands, refer to the OpenBoot documentation at:
http://www.oracle.com/goto/openboot/docs