Booting a Netra X1 from Solaris 8 Intel
2007-12-24 21:59:00
to boot from a Intel Solaris 8 system a Netra. There was a comment that you
can't do it with Intel. Well, after some experimentation, yes and no. But
you can if you can get to a Sparc II system you can make a image that can.
Turns out there are some differences in the way Intel and Sparc versions mount
the CD-ROMs and build the install directories. But here is how I overcame my
need to boot, install and flash a Netra X1 from a Intel system.... and it
isn't in the books.
First, get to a real Sparc II based system, a Sparc III might due but I
haven't tested it (would love to). Then execute the sequence to setup an
install server: Do the instructions as if you were setting up a network
install server. The /export/instdir could be any path where you have about
900 MBs or more of space.
cd /cdrom/<version path>/Solaris_8/Tools/
./setup_install_server /export/instdir (with disk 1 of 2)
Then mount the second CD and go to the Tools directory and add:
add_to_install_server /export/instdir
Now you have a basic install server for Spark systems. But Netra X1's as
other netra's need drivers for dmfe and lom.
Go to http://www.sun.com/netra/ and hunt for the lom/Netra drivers. I
downloaded mis.netra-x1.259-3836-03.zip
Unzip the file in temp, and execute:
./modify_install_server.netra modify_install_server.netra
The above will add the lom drivers and dfme interface drivers that are
required.
Now, tar up the whole /export/instdir and ftp, rcp or ssh it to your Intel
system. Untar it in a suitable path with about 900MB or more of space.
Then execute the add install client from
cd /export/instdir/Solaris_8/Tools
./add_install_client -e <your netra's ethernet MAC address> <hostname>
sun4u
Then on the Netra, during boot, break out of the boot with "breaK" and at
the OK execute "boot net". Instructions for this are right out of the book
from here on in, including upgrading, installing and flashing.
I skipped some stuff, mostly adding just what you need to know to make a
Intel Solaris 8 system behave like an install server. It may be true to say
you cannot easily build a Intel Sol8 as a Sparc boot server, but it is
possible to have the Intel server be a install server.
It should be noted that flarcreate can be used to image the system after
customization so if you needed a quick recovery, this is an avenue to pursue.
But flash images is a different subject.
---------------------------------
Dave Anderson
dave at unixhome.net
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