This book provides system administration information for both SPARC and IA systems. Unless otherwise noted, information throughout this book applies to both types of systems. Table A summarizes the differences between the SPARC and IA system administration tasks.
Table A. SPARC and IA System Administration Differences
|
System operation before kernel is loaded | A programmable read-only memory (OpenBoot PROM) chip with a monitor program runs diagnostics and displays device information.
The OpenBoot PROM is also used to program default boot parameters and to test the devices connected to the system. | The basic input/output system (BIOS) runs diagnostics and displays device information.
A Solaris Device Configuration Assistant boot diskette with the Multiple Device Boot (MDB) program is used to boot from nondefault boot partitions, the network, or the CD-ROM. |
Booting the system | Commands and options at the OpenBoot PROM level are used to boot the system. | Commands and options at the MBD, primary, and secondary boot subsystems level are used to boot the system. |
Boot programs | bootblk, the primary boot program, loads ufsboot. ufsboot, the secondary boot program, loads the kernel. | mboot, the master boot record, loads pboot. pboot, the Solaris partition boot program, loads bootblk. bootblk, the primary boot program, loads ufsboot.
ufsboot, the secondary boot program, loads the kernel. |
System shutdown | The shutdown and init commands can be used without additional operator intervention. | The shutdown and init commands are used but require operator intervention to type any key to continue the prompt. |
Disk controllers | SCSI, IDE. | SCSI and IDE. |
Disk slices and partitions | A disk may have a maximum of eight slices, numbered 0–7. | A disk may have a maximum of four fdisk partitions.
The Solaris fdisk partition may contain up to 10 slices, numbered 0–9, but only 0–7 can store user data. |
Diskette drives | Desktop systems usually contain one 3.5-inch diskette drive. | Systems may contain two diskette drives: a 3.5-inch and a 5.25-inch drive. |
