Sun Microsystems StorEdge X6767A, Installation Manual, Page: 45 / 68

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A P P E N D I X
B
Booting From the Network Adapter
Booting from the network adapter requires special procedures in order to enable
detection of installation devices. To boot from the small kernel image on the network
adapter, you must use either a boot/install server or a temporarily directly-
connected boot disk to enable bootability. The method using a boot install server is
the Net Install Patching method and the method using a directly-connected boot
disk is the Dump and Restore method. Both procedures should be performed by a
knowledgeable UNIX system administrator.
The two methods are explained in this appendix in the sections:
■
Section B.1 “The Net Install Method” on page B-2
■
Section B.2 “The Dump and Restore Method” on page B-8
The Dump and Restore method is more difficult than the Net Install Patching
method and you might experience complications in the loss of the boot. However,
the method is available to anyone with existing systems, whether small or large
configurations, and it provides a disk image when you have completed the process.
The Net Install Patching method requires a jump-start server and network
connectivity, and it is more suitable for large system configurations than for small
ones. This method is easier than the Dump and Restore method and mitigates the
risk of data loss.
Note – These procedures are necessary if the network adapter card driver is not
bundled with the Solaris operating environment on the boot server on the network.
Check your Solaris operating environment to determine whether the driver is
bundled with it.
Booting through a network adapter is mandatory when the host is an enterprise-
level system or other system that does not have its own directly-connected disks. It
is optional and preferable when a host has a directly-connected disk, you might
prefer to boot through the adapter because the 2 Gb connection is faster.