Sun Fire V445 Server Administration Guide - SCN Research

However, there are some serious disadvantages to alternative console configuration:
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POST output can only be directed to the serial management and network
management ports. It cannot be directed to TTYB or to a graphics card’s port.
If you have directed the system console to TTYB, you cannot use this port for any
other serial device.
In a default configuration, the serial management and network management ports
enable you to open up to four additional windows by which you can view, but
not affect, system console activity. You cannot open these windows if the system
console is redirected to TTYB or to a graphics card’s port.
In a default configuration, the serial management and network management ports
enable you to switch between viewing system console and system controller
output on the same device by typing a simple escape sequence or command. The
escape sequence and commands do not work if the system console is redirected to
TTYB or to a graphics card’s port.
The system controller keeps a log of console messages, but some messages are not
logged if the system console is redirected to TTYB or to a graphic card’s port. The
omitted information could be important if you need to contact Sun customer
service with a problem.
For all the preceding reasons, the best practice is to leave the system console in its
default configuration.
You change the system console configuration by setting OpenBoot configuration
variables. See “Reference for System Console OpenBoot Configuration Variable
Settings” on page 56.
You can also set OpenBoot configuration variables using the ALOM system
controller. For details, see the Sun Advanced Lights Out Manager (ALOM) Online Help.
Accessing the System Console Through a Graphics Monitor
The Sun Fire V445 server is shipped without a mouse, keyboard, monitor, or frame
buffer for the display of bitmapped graphics. To install a graphics monitor on the
server, you must install a frame buffer card into a PCI slot, and attach a monitor,
mouse, and keyboard to the appropriate back panel ports.
After starting the system, you might need to install the correct software driver for
the PCI card you have installed. For detailed hardware instructions, see “To Access
the System Console With a Local Graphics Monitor” on page 54.
Note – Power-on self-test (POST) diagnostics cannot display status and error
messages to a local graphics monitor.
30 Sun Fire V445 Server Administration Guide • August 2006