Sun SPARC Enterprise T5120 - ALOM Introduction

Sun SPARC Enterprise T5120 - ALOM - Introduction

Abstract

UNIX Systems Manufacturers originated their markets as workstations, during a time when they used 32 bit systems and the rest of the PC market was concentrating on 8 and 16 bit systems, and some CPU vendors like Intel use segmentation to keep their 16 bit software alive while struggling to move to 32 bit architectures. Some of the original servers were stacked workstations on a rack in a cabinet. The former high-powered video cards were merely ignored, as remote management needed command line interfaces. Engineering quickly determined that console access needed to be built into a new class of systems: rack mounted servers. These early servers offered traditional ALOM compatibility shell as well as newer ILOM shell. The ALOM shell is quite functional.

 

Sun Enterprise T5120 LOM

The Sun Enterprise T5120 is a server with a second generation OpenSPARC processor. It comes with a Lights Out Management (LOM) capability referred to as Integrated Lights Out Management (ILOM.) The Advanced Lights Out Management (ALOM) shell may be it's default. Most remote systems management work can be done from the LOM. Oracle has an ILOM 3.0 manual. There are also manuals formerly published by Sun Microsystems for OpenBoot 3.x and OpenBoot 4.x manuals.

ALOM: Logging In

A 9600 Baud Serial Cable can be added to the Console port, to provide immediate access.

SUNSP00144FAC0BE7 login: admin
Password:
Waiting for daemons to initialize...

Daemons ready

Oracle(R) Integrated Lights Out Manager
Version 3.0.12.4.y r77080
Copyright (c) 2010, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

sc> 

ALOM: Help Screen

The Console port, provides a reasonable help screen:

sc> help
Available commands
------------------
Power and Reset control commands:
  powercycle [-y] [-f]
  poweroff [-y] [-f]
  poweron [-c] [FRU]
  reset [-y] [-c] [-d] [-f] [-n]
Console commands:
  break [-y] [-c]
  console [-f]
  consolehistory [-b lines|-e lines|-v] [-g lines] [boot|run]
Boot control commands:
  bootmode [normal|reset_nvram|bootscript="string"|config="configname"]
  setkeyswitch [-y] <normal|stby|diag|locked>
  showkeyswitch
Locator LED commands:
  setlocator [on|off]
  showlocator
Status and Fault commands:
  clearasrdb
  clearfault <UUID>
  disablecomponent [asr-key]
  enablecomponent [asr-key]
  removefru [-y] <FRU>
  setfru -c [data]
  showcomponent [asr-key]
  showenvironment
  showfaults [-v]
  showfru [FRU]
  showlogs [-b lines|-e lines|-v] [-g lines] [-p logtype[r|p]]
  shownetwork [-v]
  showplatform [-v]
  showpower [-v]
ALOM Configuration commands:
  setdate <[mmdd]HHMM | mmddHHMM[cc]yy][.SS]>
  setsc [param] [value]
  setupsc
  showdate
  showhost [version]
  showsc [-v] [param]
ALOM Administrative commands:
  flashupdate <-s IPaddr -f pathname> [-v] [-y] [-c]
  help [command]
  logout
  password
  resetsc [-y]
  restartssh [-y]
  setdefaults [-y]
  ssh-keygen [-l|-r] <-t {rsa|dsa}>
  showusers [-g lines]
  useradd <username>
  userclimode <username> <default|alom>
  userdel [-y] <username>
  userpassword <username>
  userperm <username> [c][u][a][r][o][s]
  usershow [username]

sc>

ALOM: Setting the Date

The LOM Serial Port provides access to set the date, as it is likely not correct.:

sc> showdate
Fri Apr 23 14:24:11 2021

sc> setdate 042318242021
sc> showdate
Fri Apr 23 18:24:44 2021

sc> 

ALOM: Show System Controller & Network

The LOM can be enabled to perform DHCP, so access can be made over an ethernet cable.

sc> showsc
SP firmware version: 3.0.12.4.y

Parameter                Value
---------                -----
if_network               true
if_connection            ssh
if_emailalerts           true
netsc_dhcp               true
netsc_ipaddr             192.168.1.66
netsc_ipnetmask          255.255.255.0
netsc_ipgateway          192.168.1.254
mgt_mailhost             0.0.0.0
mgt_mailalert
sc_customerinfo
sc_escapechars           #.
sc_powerondelay          false
sc_powerstatememory      false
sc_clipasswdecho         true
sc_cliprompt             sc
sc_clitimeout            0
sc_clieventlevel         2
sc_backupuserdata        true
diag_trigger             power-on-reset error-reset
diag_verbosity           normal
diag_level               max
diag_mode                normal
sys_autorunonerror       false
sys_autorestart          reset
sys_boottimeout          0
sys_bootrestart          none
sys_maxbootfail          3
sys_bootfailrecovery     poweroff
ser_baudrate             9600
ser_commit               (Cannot show property)
netsc_enetaddr           00:14:4F:AC:0B:E7
netsc_commit             (Cannot show property)
sys_enetaddr             00:14:4f:ac:0b:de

sc>

 
 

ALOM: Access via TCP/IP

The LOM can be accessed over TCP/IP, over an ethernet cable, via a terminal package like PuTTY.

login as: admin
Using keyboard-interactive authentication.
Password:
Waiting for daemons to initialize...

Daemons ready

Oracle(R) Integrated Lights Out Manager
Version 3.0.12.4.y r77080
Copyright (c) 2010, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

sc>

ALOM: The Keyswitch

If the Keyswitch is normal, the system can be booted, otherwise use "setkeyswitch normal"

sc> showkeyswitch
Keyswitch is in the NORMAL position.
 

sc>

ALOM: Chassis Power On

The Chassis can be powered on from the LOM prompt

 

sc> showpower -v
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power metrics information cannot be displayed when the System power is off

sc> poweron
sc> Chassis | major: Host has been powered on

sc>

ALOM: Chassis Power Consumtion

The Chassis power usage can be shown from the LOM prompt

 

sc> showpower -v
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power Supplies:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             INPUT   OUTPUT
                             Power   Power
Supply     Status            (W)     (W)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/SYS/PS0    OK               130.0    120.0
/SYS/PS1    OK               135.0    125.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Power                  265.0

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            INPUT    INPUT    INPUT    OUTPUT   OUTPUT    OUTPUT
            Volt     Current  limit    Volt     Current   limit
 Supply     (V)      (A)      (A)      (V)      (A)       (A)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/SYS/PS0     122.4    1.06     9.20     12.0     10.00    54.00
/SYS/PS1     122.4    1.10     9.20     12.0     10.42    54.00

 

sc>

ALOM: Gain Firmware/OS Console

The Chassis LOM prompt can also provide Console access to Firmware and OS Console

sc> console
Enter #. to return to ALOM.
/
0:0:0>
0:0:0>POST 4.33.6 2012/03/14 08:28
0:0:0>
0:0:0>Copyright (c) 2012, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
0:0:0>POST enabling CMP 0 threads: ffffffff.ffffffff
0:0:0>VBSC mode is: 00000000.00000001
0:0:0>VBSC level is: 00000000.00000001
0:0:0>VBSC selecting Normal mode, MAX Testing.
0:0:0>VBSC setting verbosity level 2
0:0:0>Basic Memory Tests....Done
0:0:0>Test Memory....Done
0:0:0>Setup POST Mailbox ....Done
0:0:0>Master CPU Tests Basic....Done
0:0:0>Init MMU.....
0:0:0>NCU Setup and PIU link train....Done
0:0:0>L2 Tests....Done
0:0:0>Extended CPU Tests....Done
0:0:0>Scrub Memory....Done
0:0:0>SPU CWQ Tests...Done
0:0:0>MAU Tests...Done
0:0:0>Network Interface Unit Port 0 Tests ..Done
0:0:0>Network Interface Unit Port 1 Tests ..Done
0:0:0>Functional CPU Tests....Done
0:0:0>Extended Memory Tests....Done
2021-04-23 20:53:59.521 0:0:0>INFO:
2021-04-23 20:53:59.578 0:0:0>  POST Passed all devices.
2021-04-23 20:53:59.633 0:0:0>POST:     Return to VBSC.
2021-04-23 20:53:59.687 0:0:0>Master set ACK for vbsc runpost command and spin...
Chassis | major: Host is running
ChassisSerialNumber BEL07492JB

SPARC Enterprise T5120, No Keyboard
Copyright (c) 1998, 2012, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
OpenBoot 4.33.6.b, 16256 MB memory available, Serial #78384094.
Ethernet address 0:14:4f:ac:b:de, Host ID: 84ac0bde.

{0} ok
Note: the "ok" prompt provides access to OpenFirmware

ALOM: OpenFirmware: Show Devices

The Chassis ALOM Firmware prompt allows access all devices available to an operating system

{0} ok show-devs
/ebus@c0
/pci-performance-counters@0
/niu@80
/pci@0
/cpu@3f
/cpu@3e
/cpu@3d
/cpu@3c
/cpu@3b
/cpu@3a
/cpu@39
/cpu@38
/cpu@37
/cpu@36
/cpu@35
/cpu@34
/cpu@33
/cpu@32
/cpu@31
/cpu@30
/cpu@2f
/cpu@2e
/cpu@2d
/cpu@2c
/cpu@2b
/cpu@2a
/cpu@29
/cpu@28
/cpu@27
/cpu@26
/cpu@25
/cpu@24
/cpu@23
/cpu@22
/cpu@21
/cpu@20
/cpu@1f
/cpu@1e
/cpu@1d
/cpu@1c
/cpu@1b
/cpu@1a
/cpu@19
/cpu@18
/cpu@17
/cpu@16
/cpu@15
/cpu@14
/cpu@13
/cpu@12
/cpu@11
/cpu@10
/cpu@f
/cpu@e
/cpu@d
/cpu@c
/cpu@b
/cpu@a
/cpu@9
/cpu@8
/cpu@7
/cpu@6
/cpu@5
/cpu@4
/cpu@3
/cpu@2
/cpu@1
/cpu@0
/virtual-devices@100
/iscsi-hba
/virtual-memory
/memory@m0,8000000
/aliases
/options
/openprom
/chosen
/packages
/ebus@c0/serial@0,ca0000
/pci@0/pci@0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@9
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@2
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@a
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@8
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@2
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@1
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0,1
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0,1/fp@0,0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0,1/fp@0,0/tape
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0,1/fp@0,0/disk
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0/fp@0,0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0/fp@0,0/tape
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0/fp@0,0/disk
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/tape
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@3
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@2
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@3/network@0,1
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@3/network@0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@2/network@0,1
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@2/network@0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,1
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/hub@4
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@3
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@2
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@1
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@3/disk
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@2/disk
/pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@1/disk
/virtual-devices@100/rtc@5
/virtual-devices@100/console@1
/virtual-devices@100/random-number-generator@e
/virtual-devices@100/ncp@6
/virtual-devices@100/n2cp@7
/virtual-devices@100/channel-devices@200
/virtual-devices@100/tpm@f
/virtual-devices@100/flashprom@0
/virtual-devices@100/channel-devices@200/virtual-domain-service@0
/virtual-devices@100/channel-devices@200/virtual-channel-client@1
/virtual-devices@100/channel-devices@200/virtual-channel@0
/virtual-devices@100/channel-devices@200/virtual-channel-client@2
/virtual-devices@100/channel-devices@200/virtual-channel@3
/iscsi-hba/disk
/openprom/client-services
/packages/obp-tftp
/packages/kbd-translator
/packages/SUNW,asr
/packages/dropins
/packages/terminal-emulator
/packages/disk-label
/packages/deblocker
/packages/SUNW,builtin-drivers
 

{0} ok

ALOM: OpenFirmware: Show Disks

The Chassis ALOM Firmware prompt allows access the devices hosting the operating system

{0} ok show-disks
a) /pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0,1/fp@0,0/disk
b) /pci@0/pci@0/pci@8/pci@0/pci@9/SUNW,emlxs@0/fp@0,0/disk
c) /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk
d) /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@3/disk
e) /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@2/disk
f) /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@1/disk
g) /iscsi-hba/disk
q) NO SELECTION
Enter Selection, q to quit: q

{0} ok

ALOM: OpenFirmware: Device Aliases

The Chassis ALOM Firmware prompt provides access to common alias names for long device names.

{0} ok devalias
backup           /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk@0
primary          /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk@2
ttya             /ebus@c0/serial@0,ca0000
nvram            /virtual-devices/nvram@3
net3             /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@3/network@0,1
net2             /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@3/network@0
net1             /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@2/network@0,1
net0             /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@2/network@0
net              /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@2/network@0
cdrom            /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@2/disk@0:f
disk3            /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk@3
disk2            /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk@2
disk1            /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk@1
disk0            /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk@0
disk             /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk@0
scsi             /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0
virtual-console  /virtual-devices/console@1
name             aliases

{0} ok

ALOM: OpenFirmware: Default Environment 

The Chassis ALOM Firmware prompt provides basic default values, which can be changed.

{0} ok printenv
Variable Name           Value                          Default Value
ttya-rts-dtr-off        false                          false
ttya-ignore-cd          true                           true
keyboard-layout         US-English
reboot-command
security-mode           none                           No default
security-password                                      No default
security-#badlogins     0                              No default
verbosity               min                            min
pci-mem64?              true                           true
diag-switch?            false                          false
local-mac-address?      true                           true
fcode-debug?            false                          false
scsi-initiator-id       7                              7
oem-logo                                               No default
oem-logo?               false                          false
oem-banner                                             No default
oem-banner?             false                          false
ansi-terminal?          true                           true
screen-#columns         80                             80
screen-#rows            34                             34
ttya-mode               9600,8,n,1,-                   9600,8,n,1,-
output-device           virtual-console                virtual-console
input-device            virtual-console                virtual-console
auto-boot-on-error?     false                          false
load-base               16384                          16384
auto-boot?              false                          true
network-boot-arguments
boot-command            boot                           boot
boot-file
boot-device             /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@ ...   disk net
multipath-boot?         false                          false
boot-device-index       0                              0
use-nvramrc?            true                           false
nvramrc                 devalias primary /pci@0/ ...
error-reset-recovery    boot                           boot

 

{0} ok printenv boot-device
boot-device = /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk@2,0:a /pci@0/pci@0/pci@2/scsi@0/disk@0,0:a

{0} ok

Note: The system is set to not automatically boot, but there is a default boot disk defined.

ALOM: OpenFirmware: Boot DVD OS Installer

The Chassis ALOM OpenFirmware prompt can initiate an OS boot from DVD to install an OS.

{0} ok boot cdrom
Boot device: /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/storage@2/disk@0:f  File and args:
|

SunOS Release 5.10 Version Generic_147440-01 64-bit
Copyright (c) 1983, 2011, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Configuring devices.

...

ALOM: OpenFirmware: Escape from OpenFirmware to ALOM

The Chassis OpenFirmware can be exited with the escape sequence "#." to return to the ALOM.

{0} ok #.
Serial console stopped.

sc>

ALOM: Chassis Power Off

The Chassis can be powered off from the LOM prompt (This may take a long time)

sc> poweroff
Are you sure you want to power off the system [y/n]?  y
sc>  

Chassis Power Off Quickly

The Chassis can be powered off from the LOM prompt, forcably & quickly

sc> poweroff -f
Are you sure you want to power off the system [y/n]?  y
Chassis | critical: Host has been powered off

sc> showpower -v
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power metrics information cannot be displayed when the System power is off

sc>

Logging Out of LOM

Once the user is done with the Serial Port access to the LOM, they can log out to close the session.

sc> logout

SUNSP00144FAC0BE7 login:

 

Conclusions

OpenSPARC Systems are very viable platforms, offering tremendous Lights Out Management capabilities. The most recent SPARC Systems have been the fastest platforms in the world for nearly 4 years, so there is a tremendous growth potential for migrating from these older Open Source SPARC platforms. Being based upon Open Hardware, Open Firmware, and Open Hardware - new hardware vendors can also create their own newer generation platforms, to meet their own requirements if the Light Out Management capabilities are not a requirement.

System Controller: Lights Out Management

 

Abstract:

A System Controller (SC) is a thin facility to gain some level of access to a server chassis during the time an operating system is not booted. Sun Microsystems released various Lights Out Management (LOM) interfaces on their various server SC Cards. After the purchase of Sun by Oracle, the use continued such server features. The following lists the various LOM interface types on the Sun/Oracle system SC's.

LOM Table for System Controllers

The following table lists the various types of systems according to their lights out management system controllers.

Type	System Model
LOM
LOM	SUN Netra X1
LOM	SUN Netra T1400/1405
LOM	SUN Netra T1 AC200
LOM	SUN Netra T1 DC200
LOM	SUN Fire V100
LOM	SUN Fire V120
LOM	SUN Netra 20
LOM	SUN Netra 1280
LOM	SUN Netra 1290
LOM	SUN Fire V1280
LOM	SUN Fire V2900
ALOM
ALOM	Sun Fire V125
ALOM	Sun Fire V210
ALOM	Sun Fire V215
ALOM	Sun Fire V240
ALOM	Sun Fire V245
ALOM	Sun Fire V250
ALOM	Sun Fire V440
ALOM	Sun Fire V445
ALOM	Sun Fire T1000
ALOM	Sun Fire T2000
ALOM	Sun SPARC Enterprise T1000
ALOM	Sun SPARC Enterprise T2000
ALOM	Sun Netra T2000
ALOM	Sun Blade T6300
ELOM
ELOM	Sun Fire X2100
ELOM	Sun Fire X2200
ELOM	Sun Blade X6250
ELOM	Sun Blade X6450
RSC
RSC	Sun Enterprise 250
RSC	Sun Fire 280R
RSC	Sun Fire V480
RSC	Sun Fire V880
RSC	Sun Fire V490
RSC	Sun Fire V890
XSCF
XSCF	Sun Enterprise M3000
XSCF	Sun Enterprise M4000
XSCF	Sun Enterprise M5000
XSCF	Sun Enterprise M8000
XSCF	Sun Enterprise M9000
ILOM
ILOM	Sun Fire X4100
ILOM	Sun Fire X4170
ILOM	Sun Fire X4200
ILOM	Sun Fire X4270
ILOM	Sun Fire X4470
ILOM	Sun Fire X4500
ILOM	Sun Fire X4600
ILOM	Sun Fire X4800
ILOM	Sun Blade 6000
ILOM	Sun Blade X6220
ILOM	Sun Blade X6220
ILOM	Sun Blade X6270
ILOM	Sun Blade X6275
ILOM	Sun Blade X6440
ILOM	Sun Blade 8000
ILOM	Sun Netra X4200
ILOM	Sun SPARC Enterprise T5140
ILOM	Sun SPARC Enterprise T5240
ILOM	Sun SPARC Enterprise T5440
ILOM	Sun SPARC Enterprise T5120
ILOM	Sun SPARC Enterprise T5220
ILOM	Sun Blade T6320
ILOM	Sun Blade T6340
ILOM	SPARC T3-1
ILOM	SPARC T3-2
ILOM	SPARC T3-4
ILOM	SPARC T4-1
ILOM	SPARC T4-2
ILOM	SPARC T4-4
ILOM	SPARC T5-1
ILOM	SPARC T5-2
ILOM	SPARC T5-4
ILOM	SPARC T5-8

Sun, Oracle, Intel: ALOM, ILOM, AMT, IPMI, and SNMP

Abstract:
Capabilities to manage systems have traditionally been at the OS level. Over a decade ago, companies such as Sun started bundling out-of-band management into their Open Systems servers, allowing such capabilities such as dial-in, serial attachment to console ports, and attachment over LAN at a layer underneath the Operating System [such as Solaris]. This type of capability has been expanded upon by proprietary CPU vendors such as Intel and bundled into an increasing number of systems.

[ALOM Diagram, courtesy googlux]

Three Capabilities:
The three capabilities which exist today seem to be:
LOM - Sun/Oracle Lights Out Management interface [targeting servers]
IPMI - Intelligent Platform Management Interface [targeting servers]
AMT - Intel Active Management Technology [targeting desktops]

These technologies provide access to the firmware, which is either OpenBoot or BIOS depending on whether one is running an Open System (such as SPARC) or Proprietary Intel platform
Lights-Out Management comes in two distinct flavors:
ALOM - Older generation Sun Advanced Lights Out Management [targeting servers]
ILOM - Newer generation Oracle/Sun Integrated Lights Out Management [targeting servers]

Included here is an older V100 LOM/OpenBoot tutorial from YouTube. This is helpful for getting started with attaching to a serial based console, to perform initial settings.

Also included here is an OpenBoot cheat-sheet or quick reference, cheat sheet for ALOM/ILOM, an youtube webGUI tutorial for ILOM.

The proprietary Intel AMT technology with Intel vPro bundles a remote KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) interface via VNC for desktops. Here is a short AMT cheat-sheet on leveraging generic VNC on an Intel vPro based machines. Here is the Intel AMT Development Kit.

[ILOM Diagram, courtesy googlux]

What are the relationships?
The ALOM systems initially targeted the Open SPARC based systems, while ILOM was later created by Sun for the proprietary AMD and Intel based servers. Over time, ILOM was leveraged for both platforms and is now supported by Oracle on Sun branded servers for SPARC, AMD, and Intel. If running an older platform, ALOM may be the only option. The most recent versions of LOM, called ILOM, also supports IPMI. IPMI is also supported by various Intel server vendors. AMT is built upon some IPMI framework, but is more proprietary, and targets mainly desktop.

[IPMI Block Diagram, courtesy Wikipedia]

What should one use?
IPMI allows for a common management protocol across multiple server vendors. It is the least common denominator. If the desktop & server architecture is recent enough, IPMI should be used to provide a common management interface. It facilitates access to the hardware which underpins the hypervisor and operating system. Information contained includes: fans, power, temperature, logs, OS reboot attempts, etc. This information can be gathered out-of-band, or when the OS is not booted.

How should one use IPMI?
LOM (ALOM, ILOM) and AMT can be used to configure IPMI to allow access via SNMP protocol so the IPMI layer can comnunicate via common network management platforms. IPMI command line tools can also configure the SNMP protocol access. SNMP is the "Internet-standard protocol for managing devices on IP networks", defined by the IETF, for management over TCP/IP networks. AMT, LOM, ILOM, or IPMI may be used to configure SNMP access to the BMC or Baseboard Management Controller. SNMP can be configured to send asynchronous events, or TRAPS, to a management station when there is a failure.

Advanced Lights Out Management on Sun-Fire 280R, V480, V490, V880, V890, and Sun Enterprise 250

This group of work group servers have a feature called "Advanced Lights Out Manager (ALOM)".
http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/validateUser.do?target=Systems/SunFireV490_R/spec

The ALOM feature on servers like the V490 is enabled through a "System Card (SC)" which even offers a windows GUI through the "Sun Remote System Control (RSC)"

• http://www.sun.com/servers/rsc.html

The "Sun-Fire V490 Server Administration Guide" covers features with the System Card, basic setup, and basic usage

• http://docs.filibeto.org/products-n-solutions/hardware/docs/pdf/817-3951-11.pdf
  (Pages: 22,33-35,54-55,72,73-78,83-84,99,101-102,122,125,141,159-161,168-169,172,175,181-182,190-197)
  

Specific case usage is covered in the "Sun Remote System Control (RSC) 2.2 User’s Guide"

• http://dlc.sun.com/pdf/816-3314-10/816-3314-10.pdf

The latest version of the software is 2.3.3, installation examples can be seen here.

• http://www.sun.com/servers/rsc_download_readme.html

You can check to see if a platform appears to have an ALOM card installed.

• {system}/{user}$ prtfru -x | nawk '/Container name="rsc-board"/,/Container> /'

You can check to see if supplemental OS software is installed on this server.

• {system}/{user}$ /usr/bin/pkginfo | grep SUNWrsc

By attaching to the ALOM on the SC through the RSC GUI, TCP/IP telnet/ssh, serial terminal server, or even dial-up modem - support staff has access to OpenBoot Firmware on the platform before the boot, can initiate alternate boots, enable debugging, completely power off & on the entire chassis, and even disable failed components (like memory chips) on some models remotely.