NAME

boot − system boot procedure

SYNOPSIS

Autoboot: Ensure the bottom key switch is in the horizontal position.
Turn the top key switch one position to the right. Manual Boot: prom X> b [<boot device>][<boot file>] [-s || -m] [rootdev=<root device>] [swapdev=<swap device>] eg: prom X> b
prom X> b unix
prom X> b /usr/ken/unix
prom X> b scsi(1,5,1)unix rootdev=scsi(1,5,1)

DESCRIPTION

The front panel key switches and the PROM monitor environment variables control the boot sequence. 

The front panel key switches are located under the decorative, corrugated facade on the front of the machine.  This panel can be slid up and down to expose or conceal the tape drive and key switches. 

The upper key switch has three positions: off (vertical), on (the first position to the right), and reset (the second, spring-loaded position to the right).  The lower key switch defines the action to be taken when the upper key is turned into the spring-loaded position.  The lower key switch has two positions: standard (the horizontal position) and maintenance (the vertical position).  For normal operations, keep the lower switch in the standard, horizontal position.  This will enable autobooting to the run level specified in /etc/inittab.  Place the lower key switch in the maintenance, vertical position to manually boot the machine, boot UNIX in single-user mode, or to interrupt UNIX. 

The Prom Monitor retains environment variables in non-volatile memory which are used to define the default actions taken by the boot process.  These variables specify: the boot device (disk, tape, or ethernet), the boot file (UNIX or a stand alone program), the default root and swap disk partitions, and the name and location of the secondary boot program.  The variable settings given below specify to autoboot UNIX from the SCSI controller 1, unit (disk) 5, partition 0. 

bootmode= a
bootfile= unix
path= scsi(1,5,0)
rootdev= scsi(1,5,0)
swapdev= scsi(1,5,1)
secondary= scsi(1,5,8)sash

To disable autoboot, unset the bootmode environment variable.  Use the Prom Monitor n command to display, set, and unset Prom Monitor Environment Variables. 

When booting UNIX manually, additional arguments may be specified which will override the settings of the environment Variables. 

ArgumentMeaning
-sBoot unix to single-user run level
-mBoot unix to the run level specified in /etc/inittab
-rootdev= specify the root device and partition, e.g., scsi(1,5,1)
-swapdev=specify the swap device and partition, e.g., scsi(0,5,1)

FILES

scsi(1,5,0)unix -- standard UNIX kernel
scsi(1,5,8)sash -- secondary boot program

SEE ALSO

intro(7), shutdown(1M), dvhtool(1M)
Installation/Administration Guide appendix, Prom Manual

BUGS

It is sometimes necessary to issue a Prom reset command after a boot failure to boot successfully. 

September 02, 1992