Solaris 9 System Startup and Shutdown
- Introduction
- Booting a System
- The OpenBoot Environment
- The OpenBoot Architecture
- The OpenBoot Interface
- Getting Help in OpenBoot
- PROM Device Tree (Full Device Pathnames)
- OpenBoot NVRAM
- OpenBoot Security
- OpenBoot Diagnostics
- OpenBoot PROM Versions
- Booting a System
- The Kernel
- System Run States
- System Shutdown
- Chapter Summary
- Apply Your Knowledge
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Objectives
The following objectives for the Solaris System Administrator Exam are covered in this chapter:
Explain how to execute boot PROM commands to
Identify the system's boot PROM version
Boot the system; access detailed information
List, change, and restore default NVRAM parameters
Display devices connected to the bus
Identify the system's boot device
Create and remove custom device aliases
View and change NVRAM parameters from the shell
Interrupt a hung system
Given a scenario involving a hung system, troubleshoot problems and deduce resolutions.
Explain how to perform a system boot, control boot processes, and complete a system shutdown, using associated directories, scripts, and commands.
You need to understand the primary functions of the OpenBoot environment, which includes the programmable read-only memory (PROM. You need to have a complete understanding of how to use many of the OpenBoot commands and how to set and modify all the configuration parameters that control system bootup and hardware behavior.
You must understand the entire boot process, from the proper power-on sequence to the steps you perform to bring the system into multiuser mode.
You must be able to identify the devices connected to a system and recognize the various special files for each device.
Occasionally, conventional shutdown methods might not work on an unresponsive system or on a system that has crashed. This chapter introduces when and how to use these alternative shutdown methods to bring the system down safely.
You must understand how the system run levels define which processes and services are started at various stages of the boot process. You need to understand all the run levels that are available in Solaris.
You need to understand how to add and modify run control scripts to customize the startup of processes and services on Solaris systems. You need to have a detailed understanding of the programs and configuration files involved at the various run levels.
Outline
Introduction
Booting a System
- Powering On the System
- The Boot PROM and Program Phases
The OpenBoot Environment
- Entry-Level to High-End Systems
- Accessing the OpenBoot Environment
- OpenBoot Firmware Tasks
The OpenBoot Architecture
The OpenBoot Interface
- The Restricted Monitor
- The Forth Monitor
Getting Help in OpenBoot
PROM Device Tree (Full Device Pathnames)
- OpenBoot Device Aliases
OpenBoot NVRAM
- The nvedit Line Editor
OpenBoot Security
OpenBoot Diagnostics
- Input and Output Control
OpenBoot PROM Versions
Booting a System
- The boot Command
The Kernel
System Run States
- swapper
- The init Phase
- rc Scripts
- Using the Run Control Scripts to Stop or Start Services
- Adding Scripts to the Run Control Directories
System Shutdown
- Commands to Shut Down the System
- The /usr/sbin/shutdown Command
- The /sbin/init Command
- The /usr/sbin/halt Command
- The /usr/sbin/reboot Command
- The /usr/sbin/poweroff Command
Stopping the System for Recovery Purposes
Turning Off the Power to the Hardware
Summary
Apply Your Knowledge
Study Strategies
The following study strategies will help you prepare for the exam:
When studying this chapter, you should practice on a Sun system each step-by-step process that is outlined. In addition to practicing the processes, you should practice the various options described for booting the system.
You should display the hardware configuration of your Sun system by using the various OpenBoot commands presented in this chapter. You need to familiarize yourself with all the devices associated with your system. You should be able to identify each hardware component by its device pathname.
You should practice creating both temporary and permanent device aliases. In addition, you should practice setting the various OpenBoot system parameters that are described in this chapter.
You should practice booting the system by using the various methods described. You need to understand how to boot into single-user and multiuser modes and how to specify an alternate kernel or system file during the boot process.
During the boot process, you should watch the system messages and familiarize yourself with every stage of the boot process. You should watch the system messages that are displayed at bootup. You need to understand each message displayed during the boot process from system power-on to bringing the system into multiuser mode.
You need to thoroughly understand all the system run states, including when and where to use each of them. In addition, you must understand run control scripts and how they affect the system services. You should practice adding your own run control scripts.
You should practice shutting down the system. You should make sure you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each method presented.
Introduction
System startup requires an understanding of the hardware and the operating system functions that are required to bring the system to a running state. This chapter discusses the operations that the system must perform from the time you power on the system until you receive a system logon prompt. In addition, it covers the steps required to properly shut down a system. After reading this chapter, you'll understand how to boot the system from the OpenBoot programmable read-only memory (PROM) and what operations must take place to start up the kernel and Unix system processes.