NAME
isl — initial system loader
DESCRIPTION
isl
implements the operating system independent portion of
the bootstrap process. It is loaded and executed
after self-test and initialization have completed
successfully.
The processor contains special purpose memory for
maintaining critical configuration related parameters
(e.g. Primary Boot, Alternate Boot, and Console Paths).
Two forms of memory are supported: Stable Storage
and Non-Volatile Memory (NVM).
Typically, when control is transferred to
isl,
an
autoboot
sequence takes place.
An
autoboot
sequence allows a complete bootstrap operation to occur
with no intervention from an operator.
isl
executes commands from the
autoexecute
file in a script-like fashion.
autoboot
is enabled by a flag in Stable Storage.
autosearch
is a mechanism that automatically locates the boot and console devices.
For further information, see
pdc(1M).
During an
autoboot
sequence,
isl
displays its revision and the name of any utility it executes.
However, if
autoboot
is disabled, after
isl
displays its revision, it then prompts for input from the console device.
Acceptable input is any
isl
command name or the name of any utility available on the system.
If a non-fatal error occurs or the executed utility returns,
isl
again prompts for input.
Commands
There are several commands available in
isl.
The following is a list with a short description.
Parameters may be entered on the command line following the command name.
They must be separated by spaces.
isl
prompts for any necessary parameters
that are not entered on the command line.
- ?
- help
Help - List commands and available utilities
- listf
- ls
List available utilities
- autoboot
Enable or disable the
autoboot
sequence
Parameter - on or off
- autosearch
Enable or disable the
autosearch
sequence
Parameter - on or off
- primpath
Modify the Primary Boot Path
Parameter - Primary Boot Path in decimal
- altpath
Modify the Alternate Boot Path
Parameter - Alternate Boot Path in decimal
- conspath
Modify the Console Path
Parameter - Console Path in decimal
- lsautofl
- listautofl
List contents of the
autoexecute
file
- display
Display the Primary Boot, Alternate Boot, and Console Paths
- readnvm
Display the contents of one word of NVM in hexadecimal
Parameter - NVM address in decimal or standard hexadecimal notation
- readss
Display the contents of one word of Stable Storage in hexadecimal
Parameter - Stable Storage address in decimal or standard hexadecimal notation
DIAGNOSTICS
isl
displays diagnostic information through error messages
written on the console and display codes on the
LED
display.
For the display codes,
CE0x
are informative only.
CE1x
and
CE2x
indicate errors, some of which are fatal and cause the system to halt.
Other errors merely cause
isl
to display a message.
Non-fatal errors during an
autoboot
sequence cause the
autoboot
sequence to be aborted and
isl
to prompt for input.
After non-fatal errors during an interactive
isl
session,
isl
merely prompts for input.
Fatal errors cause the system to halt.
The problem must be corrected and the system
RESET
to recover.