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T5120 bootup problem: - acerbix - 02-09-2024

Hello:

I recently obtained a T5120 on ebay: The T5120 has developed an interesting problem when booting up: it's current owner did not realize that the machine was shipped with no operating system, and the available version of the os is not supported by this server.  I am stumped and do not know how to fix this issue - hoping that a knowledgeable, kind soul has an answer.

Best regards

RE: T5120 bootup problem: - jpstewart - 02-09-2024

Solaris 11.3 was the last to support the UltraSPARC T2 CPU in those machines. So that or something older will work.

Solaris 10 will also support the machine so long as you're using a sufficiently new release. The T2 came out sometime midway through the lifespan of Solaris 10, so get the latest update if you plan to use it.

RE: T5120 bootup problem: - acerbix - 02-13-2024

Thanks so much, @jpstewart!

I have been trying to install an OS on this machine, with varying degrees of success: first, I dd'd the iso image to an USB stick, and both for Solaris 11 as well as 10,  the bootup process froze after printing the OS version like so:

Code:
{8} ok boot usb
Boot device: /pci@0/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/pci@1/pci@0/usb@0,2/hub@4/storage@1/disk  File and args:
SunOS Release 5.11 Version 11.3 64-bit
Copyright (c) 1983, 2015, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

By "froze" I mean no spinner, no discernable activity for over 30 mins. First, I thought the kernel might be expecting a specific FS (filesystem) layout that wasn't replicated on USB by dd'ing, so I burned DVDs - but I got the same result when  using the DVD's - the boot froze just like it did w/ USB.

Then I downloaded the SXCE build 130 - and surprise - that worked! Through trial and error, I have discerned that the following versions of Solaris boots up successfully (USB vs CD turned out to be a red herring - if the OS boots on CD, it also boots on USB):
  - Boots successfully:
      - All Solaris 10 released before 12/15/2011 (Solaris 10u10 and earlier)
      - SXCE build 130
      - Solaris 11.00
  - Boot Fails:
      - Solaris 10u11
      - Solaris 11.1 and higher

At this point, I suspect that my firmware must be too old - there must have been a firmware release after Dec 2011 that is causing boot failure for the newer OS. My T5120 has the following firmware versions:

- uBoot: U-Boot 1.1.1 (Apr  3 2008 - 19:06:21)
- SP Kernel: Linux-2.4.22 PowerPC Linux Kernel Image
- ILOM: 
Code:
Sun(TM) Integrated Lights Out Manager Version 2.0.4.20.c
-> version
SP firmware 2.0.4.20.c
SP firmware build number: 30698
SP firmware date: Thu Apr  3 19:19:26 PDT 2008
SP filesystem version: 0.1.14

- OBP : OpenBoot 4.28.0

I was not able to successfully google the latest version # for ILOM and Openboot.  I would be very grateful for that info.

Best regards!

RE: T5120 bootup problem: - johnnym - 02-14-2024

(02-13-2024, 12:36 AM)acerbix Wrote:  Then I downloaded the SXCE build 130 - and surprise - that worked! Through trial and error, I have discerned that the following versions of Solaris boots up successfully (USB vs CD turned out to be a red herring - if the OS boots on CD, it also boots on USB):
  - Boots successfully:
      - All Solaris 10 released before 12/15/2011 (Solaris 10u10 and earlier)
      - SXCE build 130
      - Solaris 11.00
  - Boot Fails:
      - Solaris 10u11
      - Solaris 11.1 and higher
You might also want to give Tribblix a try. I never tried it though, but it might just work.

Apart from that Debian GNU/Linux Sid from Debian Ports (had it running on a T5220 for a while) and OpenBSD should also work on it. And both might allow for LDOM support and configuration. Here's an article for OpenBSD on this regard: https://flak.tedunangst.com/post/OpenBSD-on-a-Sun-T5120

(02-13-2024, 12:36 AM)acerbix Wrote:  - OBP : OpenBoot 4.28.0

I was not able to successfully google the latest version # for ILOM and Openboot.  I would be very grateful for that info.
Maybe you find it here: https://dogemicrosystems.ca/pub/Sun/System_Handbook/Sun_syshbk_V3.4/Devices/Boot_PROM/BootPROM_UltraSPARC_T2.html#SET5120

The T5120 was already EOL when that System Handbook version was current (in 2011).

RE: T5120 bootup problem: - jpstewart - 02-14-2024

The link provided by johnnym shows that your ILOM software 2.0.4.20.c version corresponds to system firmware 7.1.0.g.  (Don't you just love the consistency in the numbering scheme!)

The release notes for Solaris 11.3 (https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E23824_01/html/E23811/hardw.html) mention needing firmware 7.4.0.b or higher, from Sun/Oracle patch 147307-01.  Searching the Internet for that patch number suggests that the latest firmware revision is actually 7.4.11 in patch 147307-15 (https://www.oracle.com/servers/technologies/firmware/release-history-jsp.html#T5220).

Unfortunately access to the firmware patch requires a support contract.

RE: T5120 bootup problem: - acerbix - 02-15-2024

> @johnnym :
> You might also want to give Tribblix a try. I never tried it though, but it might just work. 
> Apart from that Debian GNU/Linux Sid from Debian Ports (had it running on a T5220 for a while) and OpenBSD should also work on it.
> And both might allow for LDOM support and configuration. Here's an article for OpenBSD 
> on this regard: https://flak.tedunangst.com/post/OpenBSD-on-a-Sun-T5120


Thanks so much for all the info and the advice - right now, I am using Solaris 10u10 as a baseline version until I can figure things out. I'll try triblix as well as Debian for ldoms once I get more hard drives.

> Maybe you find it here: https://dogemicrosystems.ca/pub/Sun/Syst...ml#SET5120
> The T5120 was already EOL when that System Handbook version was current (in 2011).

Thanks for the link and the detailed info - unfortunately the non-oracle links no longer work, and the Oracle links require a contract. Time to phone my non-existent friend, I think  Smile

Note: As a mark of gratitude for all the help and advice I got from this community, I'd like to share one thing if it helps:  I found out is that SAS drives ordered on Ebay do not come in the Sun Marlin caddy (At least my first order did not). I had to design and print my own Marlin compatible caddy. If  anyone is interested, I can share the STL - should save you ~$12 per caddy if you are ordering them separately.

Best regards!
(02-14-2024, 09:20 PM)jpstewart Wrote:  The link provided by johnnym shows that your ILOM software 2.0.4.20.c version corresponds to system firmware 7.1.0.g.  (Don't you just love the consistency in the numbering scheme!)

The release notes for Solaris 11.3 (https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E23824_01/html/E23811/hardw.html) mention needing firmware 7.4.0.b or higher, from Sun/Oracle patch 147307-01.  Searching the Internet for that patch number suggests that the latest firmware revision is actually 7.4.11 in patch 147307-15 (https://www.oracle.com/servers/technologies/firmware/release-history-jsp.html#T5220).

Unfortunately access to the firmware patch requires a support contract.

Thanks so much - the elusive Solaris 11.3 stays *just* beyond my reach - at least for now : I do not have an Oracle support contract Sad .