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.