Re: Netra T5220

[Don NetBSD <netbsd-embedded%gmx.com@localhost>]

On 11/18/2018 2:09 PM, Brett Lymn wrote:
> On Sat, Nov 17, 2018 at 06:53:51PM -0700, Don NetBSD wrote:
> > On 11/17/2018 1:52 PM, Brett Lymn wrote:
> > > On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 02:11:26PM -0700, Don NetBSD wrote:
> > > > Yes, but what's the prompt BEFORE that (u-boot>)?  And, where do I
> > > > find the capabilities, there, documented?
> > >
> > > As someone else mentioned that is the Service Processor boot, it is a
> > > cut down linux image, IIRC running on powerpc.  I doubt if you will find
> > > much publically available information on the guts of the SP... even if
> > > you have access to Oracle support, it is not something that Oracle
> > > customers are meant to mess with.
> >
> > No.  The prompt BEFORE the service processor starts Linux.
>
> Yes, I know what you are talking about.  I deal with Sun/Oracle
> equipment at $WORK.  I have seen that prompt.  I have never seen any
> documentation as to what you can do there.  I would be surprised if
> there is anything available at all outside Oracle - I think the attitude
> is that the customers don't need to mess with the SP at all and should
> be treated just as a firmware blob (which is, in fact, how the updates
> are provided - a blov for the linux image plus OFW update)

With it, you can:
- reconfigure the serial port parameters
- adjust the delay before Linux boots (give you more time to interrupt
  that process)
- reset the password (that Linux will request at it's "login:" prompt)
- upgrade the ILOM firmware (without ILOM *or* OS being functional!)
- reset the default ILOM parameters (e.g., for network settings)
- configure the ILOM network parameters
- test the ILOM's network connection (e.g., ping other hosts)
- indicate whether or not physical presence is required to break autoboot
- connect to the "system's" serial port (bypassing ILOM)
- add/delete "users"
- examine SP settings
- enable/disable the front panel power button
- power down the host
- reset the SP and/or host
- run diagnostics on the SP

and, of course:

- boot the ILOM

[Of course, I suspect I'll uncover additional uses as I tinker more with it!]

Think of it as having a similar function wrt the ILOM as the OBP has to
the OS in older Sun boxen.

Of course, at $WORK, you're not trying to get INTO a box that someone
has locked up -- as YOU are the party who likely locked it up in the first
place!

OTOH, when a system falls into your lap, you don't always have that sort
of access.  So, you need to rely on mechanisms that the designers put in
place to make this sort of thing possible!