Re: Sun Microsystems Enterprise 3500 server

Damon Getsman wrote:
A Sun Enterprise 3500 server has been sitting in our server room for
some time where I work, and I'm starting to think that it may well
have the best solution for a problem that we're currently having
employing a few Sun packages. I won't get into that here, I already
posted on comp.sys.sun.misc about that. I'm thinking that installing
them on native Solaris instead of different Linux variants might be a
bit easier, though, especially with a machine custom configured just
to run the apps that I need.

What I need to find out is how this headless beast can be communicated
with. It has 4 ethernet ports and a serial port. I have no idea what
sort of system or configuration was previously on this machine, so I'm
thinking that it might be best to start with using the serial port as
a terminal interface, provided the machine has a working OS installed
on it right now.

I'm not sure of what kinds of settings I'll need to put on the comm
port to attempt this from a ubuntu linux workstation. Also not sure
if I should try doing this with a null modem cable or if straight
serial will give what I need.

Also, any information about what I can do if this machine does not
have a valid OS installed would be much appreciated; I'm at a loss due
to the headlessness of this machine. It does have a CD drive for
media, so it has that much at least. :P

Much thanks for helping me communicate with this beautiful piece of
hardware!

-Damon Getsman


http://www.pimpworks.org/sun/serial.html

has info on serial cable. Basically 8N1 9600, with a null modem cable.

I would download Solaris 10 onto the CDs, put the first CD and switch on. On a Sun at least, I would use 'tip' to connect to the serial port - you will have to find the exact way to do that on linux.

Send a break from the terminal to get to the "ok" prompt. Then "boot cdrom" should get you booting off the CD.

Trying to use any operating system the system may or may not have would be a waste of time. Just install a fresh Solaris. You can use a serial line whether or not the system has an operating system.
.

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