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Asset ID: 1-71-1009245.1
Update Date:2009-02-12
Keywords:

Solution Type  Technical Instruction Sure

Solution  1009245.1 :   Sun Fire [TM] V20z/V40z: Performing a console install (Red Hat) via Serial over LAN through the Service Processor (SP)  


Related Items
  • Sun Fire V20z Compute Grid Rack System
  •  
  • Sun Fire V20z Server
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  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux x64
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  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux x86
  •  
  • Sun Fire V40z Server
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Related Categories
  • GCS>Sun Microsystems>Servers>x64 Servers
  •  

PreviouslyPublishedAs
212791


Description
Performing a console install frees one from the need to have a keyboard, monitor, and mouse physically connected to a system to complete.
The Serial Over LAN (SOL) feature allows servers transparently redirect the serial character stream from the baseboard Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) to and from the remote-client system over LAN. Serial over LAN has the following benefits compared to a serial interface:
* Eliminates the need for a serial concentrator.
* Reduces the amount of cabling.
* Allows remote management of servers without video, mouse or keyboard (headless servers).
Serial over LAN requires a properly configured LAN connection and a console from which an ssh session can be established. On the Sun Fire[TM] V20z and Sun Fire[TM] V40z, SOL is initiated through a properly configured and network-accessible Service Processor (SP) on these systems.


Steps to Follow
To establish console access to the system through the SP via SOL, and start the console install of Red Hat Linux, the following must be done:
1. Enable console redirection in the BIOS:
A. Boot or reboot the server.
B. When prompted, press <F2> to enter BIOS setup.
C. Select the Advanced menu from the category selections along the top.
D. Select Console Redirection.
-For additional information, see Chapter 4 of the 'Sun Fire V20z and Sun Fire V40z Servers--Server Management Guide'
2. Insert Disk 1 of the Red Hat Linux installation CDs into the CDROM bay at the front of the system.
3. Log in to the Service Processor (SP). For more information on setting up the SP for the first time, see Chapter 1 of the 'Sun Fire V20z and Sun Fire V40z Servers--Server Management Guide'
4. Power the platform power off. At the SP prompt, after logging in, run this command:
# platform set power state off -f
5. Disable SOL in the SP, regardless of whether it is enabled or not:
# platform set console -s platform
6. Enable SOL in the SP:
# platform set console -s sp -e -S 9600
7. Power the platform power up from the SP:
# platform set power state on
8. Launch an SOL session within the SP:
# platform console
9. At this point, POST should be displayed on the console. When the CD is booted, there will be a boot prompt. Type the following to start a console install of Red Hat Linux:
linux text console=ttyS0,9600n8
The installation will now continue through the established console through the SP.
To break out of the SOL session, press control-E, followed by "c", then a period (.).


Product
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 x86
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 x64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1
Sun Fire V40z Server
Sun Fire V20z Compute Grid Rack System
Sun Fire V20z Server

Red Hat, console, install, serial over LAN
Previously Published As
77664

Change History
Date: 2005-09-15
User Name: 97961
Action: Approved
Comment: - Made simple sentence/grammatical corrections
- Audience changed to "Contract" per FvF http://kmo.central/howto/FvF.html
Version: 3
Date: 2005-09-15
User Name: 97961
Action: Accept
Comment:
Version: 0

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