ALOM is an independent system controller providing a command-line interface that controls Sun

Fire V series servers including, but not limited to, V210 and V240. ALOM enables the
administrator to run diagnostics (such as POST) remotely and can be configured to send email
alerts of hardware failures/warnings or other server-related events. Components that ALOM can
monitor include, for example, system temperature and voltages, CPUs, disk drives, fans, and
power supplies.

ALOM is a special imbedded computer that runs independently of the server, using the server's
standby power. Therefore, its firmware continues to function when the server operating system
goes offline, into init S mode due to severe configuration errors or when the server is powered
off.

It can be setup from root account on the server or via serial management inteface.

Most important capabilities:

 Remote console interface (console command)  including remote access to Open Boot.
 Host monitoring (disks, fans, power, temp, PSU)
 Host control (commands poweroff, poweron and reset)
 User configurable delivery of events to ALOM CLI, email, and syslog.

ALOM setup using root account

You need to assigned a separate IP address, netmask and gateway for ALOM Net Interface and
connect the cable to use it
If you have root access to this machine you can use scadm utility to set IP address, netmask and
gateway for ALOM network interface. scadm is located at platform dependent directory that for
V2/usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm set netsc_ipaddr 10.194.128.41

/usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm netsc_ipaddr 10.194.128.41

/usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm netsc_ipnetmask 255.255.240.0

/usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm netsc_ipgateway 10.194.128.1

To view setting you can use

/usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm show | grep netsc

 

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and network settings of your workstation. Here is sample output from my sample V140:

# /usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm show | grep netsc

netsc_tpelinktest="true"
netsc_dhcp="false"
netsc_ipaddr="10.194.128.41"
netsc_ipnetmask="255.255.240.0"
netsc_ipgateway="10.194.128.1"

but it will not show the value of important variable netsc_tpelinktest (should be true).

/usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm shownetwork

but it will not show the value of important variable netsc_tpelinktest (should be true).

After that you need to set password for the default admin account (admin). Syntax is:

# /usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm  userpassword admin

It will prompt you for password and then again.

After changing the parameters mentioned above you need to reset the ALOM to make changes
permanent:

# /usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm resetrsc

After that you need to use any telnet client to connect to specified IP address at port 23. If
everything done correctly you can login to ALOM. To test the capabilities of ALOM type
command

showenvironment

It should produce quite a bit of statistics about your servr. After testing use the logout
command to end your ALOM session and to close your ALOM  connection.

Again the default account is called admin. The password should the same that you set. There
might be a default password too (probably admin :-). I did not check that.

To switch to console you need command (option -f ensure that console is writable, otherwise you
can get read-only console):

console -f

To switch from console mode to ALOM SC mode you need to log off and press magic
combination "#." (pound-dot).

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Option -f generally is not needed and just forces ALOM to release the write lock from another
user and assign it to your console session. This places the other user's console session in read-
only mode. In case there is a conflict you will get the following message:

Warning: User <username> currently has write permission to this

console and forcibly removing them will terminate any current
write actions and all work will be lost. Would you like to
continue [y/n]?

At the same time, the user who has the write lock receives the following message:

Warning: Console connection forced into read-only mode.

Before you use the -f option with the console command, you need to configure variables for
both OpenBoot PROM and the Solaris operating environment on your host server.

To configure the OpenBoot PROM variable, type the following command at the ok prompt:

ok setenv ttya-ignore-cd false

Next, you need to configure the Solaris operating environment. Log in as root and type the
following commands at the superuser prompt. Type the second command all on one line, even
though it appears on two lines in the example.

# pmadm -r -p zsmon -s ttya

# pmadm -a -p zsmon -s ttya -i root -fu -m

"/dev/term/a:I::/usr/bin/login::9600:ldterm,ttcompat:ttya login\:
::tvi925:n:" -v 1

Full list of settable parameters include sending alerts via email configuration that is also
important for security and can be integrated into Tivoli but is not covered in this version of the
instructions (essentially it is identical to setting network parameters, only different variables need
to be involved):

Advanced Lights Out Manager v1.5.1

parameter value
--------- -----
if_network true
if_modem false
if_emailalerts true
sys_autorestart xir
sys_bootrestart none
sys_bootfailrecovery none

3
sys_maxbootfail 3
sys_xirtimeout 900
sys_boottimeout 120
sys_wdttimeout 60
netsc_tpelinktest true
netsc_dhcp false
netsc_ipaddr 10.194.128.41
netsc_ipnetmask 255.255.240.0
netsc_ipgateway 10.194.128.1
mgt_mailhost 10.194.145.1
mgt_mailalert(1) nikolai.bezroukov.basf.com 2
sc_customerinfo flosnort
sc_escapechars #.
sc_powerondelay true
sc_powerstatememory false
sc_clipasswdecho true
sc_cliprompt flosnort
sc_clitimeout 0
sc_clieventlevel 2
sc_backupuserdata true
sys_eventlevel 1
ser_baudrate 9600
ser_parity none
ser_stopbits 1
ser_data 8
netsc_enetaddr 00:03:ba:fa:47:ea
sys_hostname flosnort
sys_enetaddr 00:03:ba:fa:47:e1

ALOM Setup using serial management interface

Also you can configure ALOM setting while you are logged on via ALOM network interface.
Easiest way is to use setupsc command. If network settings were changed you have to reset SC
with resetsc command.

Very important: you need to reset SC before any network settings modification take place.

1. Collect the required setup data for the network management interface as shown here.

1. Collect the required setup data for the network management interface as shown here.

Description Value

ALOM Net Management Interface IP Address  

4
ALOM Net Management Interface Netmask  

Network Gateway IP Address  

Mail Host IP Address  

Recipient Email Address  

Some Customer Data (up to 40 characters, optional)  

SC CLI Prompt (up to 16 characters, optional)  

  

2. Establish a serial connection to the port named Serial Mgt (settings: 9600 8N1). On a system
running the Solaris OS, enter the following:

prompt% tip /dev/term/a -9600

connected

Enter the escape sequence [#.] to get the serial console prompt.

3. First set a login password for the default user admin :

sc> password
password: Changing password for admin

Enter new password: ********

Re-enter new password: ********

sc>

4. Set up the network management interface:

sc> setupsc
Entering Interactive setup mode. To exit and discard changes to that
point, use Ctrl-C or to exit and save changes to that point, use Ctrl-Z.
Do you wish to configure the enabled interfaces [y]? y

Should the SC network interface be enabled [y]? y

Should the SC email alerts be enabled [y]? n

Do you wish to configure the network interface [y]? y

Should the SC use DHCP to obtain its network configuration [n]? n

Enter the SC IP address [100.100.100.100]? <sc-ip-address>

Enter the SC IP netmask [255.255.255.0]? <sc-ip-netmask>

5
Enter the SC IP gateway address [100.100.100.100]? <sc-gateway-ip>

Should the TPE link test be enabled [y]? y

Do you wish to configure the managed system interface [y]? y

What level of SC events should be reported to the managed system where

valid settings are 0 (none), 1 (critical), 2 (critical and major) and 3
(critical, major and minor) [2]? 2

What action should the SC invoke if the OS is hung. The available

options are 'none', 'xir' or 'reset' where an xir will attempt to
collect diagnosis data before invoking a reset [xir]? xir

How many seconds should be allowed for an XIR to complete (maximum

timeout of 10800s) [900]? 900

Do you wish to configure the network management interfaces [y]? y

Enter the number of mail servers to configure [0]? 1

Enter the IP address for mail server 1 [100.100.100.100]? <mailhost-ip>

Enter the number of email recipients to configure [0]? 1

Enter the email address for recipient 1 (maximum of 30 characters) []?

<email@address>

Enter the level of events to send to recipient 1 where valid settings

are 1 (critical), 2 (critical and major) and 3 (critical, major and
minor) [2]? 2

Do you wish to configure the SC parameters [y]? y

Enter any customer data for this platform (maximum of 40 characters) []?
<some-customer-data>

Enter the console session escape sequence (2 characters). The first

character can be any printable characters or control-A through
control-Y except for control-C, control-D, control-H, control-J, or control-M.
The second character must be a ".". [#.]? #.

Enter level of events to be displayed over the CLI where valid settings
are 0 (none), 1 (critical), 2 (critical and major) and 3 (critical,
major and minor) [2]? 2

Should poweron sequencing be enabled [y]? y

Enter the SC cli prompt (maximum of 16 characters) [sc]? <sc-cli-prompt>

Enter the SC CLI timeout in seconds (maximum of 10000s) [0]? 0

Should password entry echo '*'s [y]? y

Your ALOM configuration profile has been successfully completed. To

activate your network configuration, please reset the SC.

6
sc>
5. Verify your configuration settings:

sc> showsc
Advanced Lights Out Manager v1.5.1

parameter value
--------- -----
if_network true
if_modem false
if_emailalerts true
sys_autorestart xir
sys_bootrestart none
sys_bootfailrecovery none
sys_maxbootfail 3
sys_xirtimeout 900
sys_boottimeout 120
sys_wdttimeout 60
netsc_tpelinktest true
netsc_dhcp false
netsc_ipaddr 10.194.128.41
netsc_ipnetmask 255.255.240.0
netsc_ipgateway 10.194.128.1
mgt_mailhost 10.194.145.1
mgt_mailalert(1) nikolai.bezroukov.basf.com 2
sc_customerinfo flosnort
sc_escapechars #.
sc_powerondelay true
sc_powerstatememory false
sc_clipasswdecho true
sc_cliprompt flosnort
sc_clitimeout 0
sc_clieventlevel 2
sc_backupuserdata true

To change a single parameter, use the command setsc [param] [value].

6. Activate the configuration:

sc> resetsc -y
User Requested SC Shutdown

[...]

Please login:
7. Test the ALOM network connection:

 Disconnect the serial connection to the Serial Mgt port.

7
  Connect the NET MGT port with the local area network via a switch. Note: The network
management port is a 10-Mbit port!
 Log in to ALOM from either the host that you just configured or from another machine on the
LAN, as shown here.

prompt% telnet <sc-ip-address>

Copyright 2004 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Use is subject to license terms.

Sun(tm) Advanced Lights Out Manager 1.5.1 (myhostname)

Please login: admin

Please Enter password: ********

sc>

8. Here is the ALOM command list:

sc> help
Available commands
------------------
poweron {FRU}
poweroff [-y] [-f]
removefru [-y] {FRU}
reset [-y] [-x]
break [-y]
bootmode [normal|reset_nvram|diag|skip_diag|bootscript="string"]
console [-f]
consolehistory [-b lines|-e lines] [-g lines] [-v] [boot|run]
showlogs [-b lines|-e lines] [-g lines] [-v]
setlocator [on|off]
showlocator
showenvironment
showfru
showplatform [-v]
showsc [-v] [param]
shownetwork [-v]
setsc [param] [value]
setupsc
showdate
setdate [[mmdd]HHMM | mmddHHMM[cc]yy][.SS]
resetsc [-y]
flashupdate [-s IPaddr -f pathname] [-v]
setdefaults [-y] [-a]
useradd <username>
userdel [-y] <username>
usershow [username]
userpassword <username>
userperm <username> [c][u][a][r]
password
showusers [-g lines]
logout
help [command]
sc>

8
9. Here is the example output from the showenvironment command:

sc> showenvironment

=============== Environmental Status ===============

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
System Temperatures (Temperatures in Celsius):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sensor Status Temp LowHard LowSoft LowWarn HighWarn HighSoft HighHard
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MB.P0.T_CORE OK 49 -- -- -- 88 93 100
MB.T_ENC OK 21 -6 -3 5 40 48 51

--------------------------------------
Front Status Panel:
--------------------------------------
Keyswitch position: NORMAL

--------------------------------------------------------
System Indicator Status:
--------------------------------------------------------
MB.LOCATE MB.SERVICE MB.ACT
--------------------------------------------------------
OFF OFF OFF

--------------------------------------------
System Disks:
--------------------------------------------
Disk Status Service OK2RM
--------------------------------------------
HDD0 OK OFF OFF
HDD1 NOT PRESENT OFF OFF

----------------------------------------------------------
Fans (Speeds Revolution Per Minute):
----------------------------------------------------------
Sensor Status Speed Warn Low
----------------------------------------------------------
F0.RS OK 11440 -- 1000
F1.RS OK 10546 -- 1000
F2.RS OK 11250 -- 1000
F3.RS OK 11250 -- 1000
MB.P0.F0.RS OK 15697 2000 2000
MB.P0.F1.RS OK 16875 2000 2000

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voltage sensors (in Volts):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sensor Status Voltage LowSoft LowWarn HighWarn HighSoft
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MB.P0.V_CORE OK 1.46 -- 1.26 1.54 --
MB.P1.V_CORE OK 1.41 -- 1.26 1.54 --
MB.V_VTT OK 1.24 -- 1.17 1.43 --
MB.V_GBE_+2V5 OK 2.51 -- 2.25 2.75 --

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MB.V_GBE_CORE OK 1.20 -- 1.08 1.32 --
MB.V_VCCTM OK 2.54 -- 2.25 2.75 --
MB.V_+2V5 OK 2.50 -- 2.34 2.86 --
MB.V_+1V5 OK 1.49 -- 1.35 1.65 --
MB.BAT.V_BAT OK 2.95 -- 2.70 -- --

--------------------------------------------
Power Supply Indicators:
--------------------------------------------
Supply Active Service OK-to-Remove
--------------------------------------------
PS0 ON OFF OFF

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power Supplies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply Status Underspeed Overtemp Overvolt Undervolt Overcurrent
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS0 OK OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF

----------------------
Current sensors:
----------------------
Sensor Status
----------------------
MB.FF_SCSI OK
sc>

For a short description of the available commands, use the command help [command].

10. The scadm command provides functionality equivalent to that of the ALOM commands on
the operating system level. This command must be executed by the user as root:

# /usr/platform/`uname -i`/sbin/scadm help

USAGE: scadm <command> [options]

For a list of commands, type "scadm help"

scadm - COMMANDS SUPPORTED

help, date, set, show, resetrsc, download, send_event, modem_setup,

useradd, userdel, usershow, userpassword, userperm, shownetwork,
loghistory, version

scadm - COMMAND DETAILS

scadm help => this message
scadm date [-s] | [[mmdd]HHMM | mmddHHMM[cc]yy][.SS] => print or set date
scadm set <variable> <value> => set variable to value
scadm show [variable] => show variable(s)
scadm resetrsc [-s] => reset SC (-s soft reset)
scadm download [boot] <file> => program firmware or [boot] monitor
scadm send_event [-c] "message" => send message as event (-c CRITICAL)
scadm modem_setup => connect to modem port
scadm useradd <username> => add SC user account
scadm userdel <username> => delete SC user account

10
 scadm usershow [username] => show user details
scadm userpassword <username> => set user password
scadm userperm <username> [cuar] => set user permissions
scadm shownetwork => show network configuration
scadm loghistory => show SC event log
scadm version [-v] => show SC version (-v verbose)

For More Information

 Sun Advanced Lights Out Manager Software User's Guide

 Advanced Lights Out Management (ALOM) CMT v1.1 Guide

Reference
Command Description

Displays a list of all ALOM commands with their syntax and a

help
brief description of how each command works.

Reboots ALOM. The -y option allows you to skip the

resetsc [-y]
confirmation question.

Generates a hardware reset on the host server. The -x option

generates the equivalent of an XIR (externally initiated reset)
reset [-y] [-x]
on the server. The -y option allows you to skip the
confirmation question.

Removes the main power from the host server. The -y option
poweroff [-y] [-f] allows you to skip the confirmation question. The -f option
forces an immediate shutdown.

poweron Applies the main power to the host server or FRU.

flashupdate Updates the ALOM firmware. This command downloads main

  and bootmon firmware images to ALOM.

Prepares a FRU (for example, a power supply) for removal, and

removefru [-y] [FRU] illuminates the host server's OK-to-Remove LED. The -y option
allows you to skip the confirmation question.

setsc Sets the specified ALOM parameter to the assigned value.

11
 Runs the interactive configuration script. This script configures
setupsc
the ALOM configuration variables.

Sets the date and time, when the managed operating system is
setdate
not running.

Resets all ALOM configuration parameters to their default

setdefaults [-y] values. The -y option allows you to skip the confirmation
[-a] question. The -a option resets the user information to the
factory default (one admin account only).

Turns the Locator LED on the server on or off. This function is

setlocator [on/off]
available only on host servers that have a Locator LED.

Displays the current state of the Locator LED as either on or

showlocator off. This function is available only on host servers that have a
Locator LED.

Displays information about the host server's hardware

showplatform [-v]
configuration, and whether the hardware is providing service.

Displays the environmental status of the host server. This

information includes system temperatures, power supply
showenvironment
status, front panel LED status, hard disk drive status, fan status,
voltage and current sensor status, and keyswitch position.

Displays information about the FRUs (field-replaceable units) in

showfru
a host server.

Displays a list of users currently logged in to ALOM. The

display for this command has a similar format to that of the
showusers [-g]lines
UNIX command who. The -g option pauses the display after
the number of lines you specify for lines.

Displays the current network configuration information. The

shownetwork [-v] -v option shows additional information about your network,
including information about your DHCP server.

Displays the current NVRAM configuration parameters. The -v

showsc [-v]
option is needed for full version information.

Displays the history of all events logged in the ALOM event

showlogs [-v]
buffer.

12
 Displays the ALOM set date. The Solaris operating environment
showdate and ALOM time are synchronized, but ALOM time is expressed
in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) rather than local time.

Displays a list of all user accounts, permission levels, and

usershow
whether passwords are assigned.

useradd Adds a user account to ALOM.

Deletes a user account from ALOM. The -y option allows you

userdel [-y]
to skip the confirmation question.

userpassword Sets or changes a user password.

userperm Sets the permission level for a user account.

password Changes the login password of the current user.

Connects to the host system console. The -f option forces the

console [-f]
console write lock from one user to another.

Drops the host server from running the Solaris operating

break [-y] environment into OpenBoot PROM or kadb. The -y option
allows you to skip the confirmation question.

bootmode [skipdiag |
diag | reset_nvram | Controls the host server OpenBoot PROM firmware method of
normal | booting.
bootscript="string"]

logout Logs out from an ALOM shell session.

consolehistory [-v] Displays the host system console output buffers. The -v option
[boot | run] displays the entire contents of the specified log.

13