Solaris Tips and Tricks

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• Solaris 10 allows you to lockout accounts after a certain number of failed logins.
• Solaris 10 has new features to manage non-login accounts and locked accounts which is no longer dainbread.

• How can I correct the device paths when replacing a FCAL boot disk after ufsrestoring? (CC)
• How can I use fssnap to take file-system snapshots of active UFS file-systems? There was also a Sys Admin article on the subject.
• One technique for poor man's disk mirroring using ufsdump/ufsrestore.
• Another technique for poor man's disk mirroring that allows the 2nd disk to be usable (read hands off as in no messing with vfstab).

• Solaris 10 has a new feature boot -m verbose which allows you to customize boot console output.
• Common boot errors and their workarounds. (CC)
• In case you ever wanted to know what the heck is going on during the boot process. (CC)
• The basics of the boot command.
• If you haven't sat down and figured out what all those scripts do, here is an analysis of Solaris 8 Startup Files.
• Ever wonder what the box is doing before the banner and OBP prompt is displayed?

• What is the CD-ROM called on this box?
• How can I create a bootable CD-ROM for Solaris? Another method.
• How to burn things to a CD-R with Solaris 8.
• Sun CD-ROM FAQ

• How can I allow/prevent users from giving files away to someone else?

• Want to do something to multiple machines at once? Use the Sun Cluster Console Tool. NOTE: you also need the scripts.jar.
• Need help with disk contention problems in a "shared" storage configuration?

• Peter Baer Galvin has some Cool Commands to help you get your job done faster and easier.
• wgrep is a windowing grep that is useful for grabbing X number of lines before and after a match.

• Lost your uninstall file and need to uninstall your old version of Sun Workshop?

• Can't remember what field is what? Just add this header to your crontab.
• Want to see if your cronjob is running without errors?

• How can I get the current date/time for yesterday?

• Solaris Modular Debugger (mdb) cheatsheet (PDF)

• Why doesn't my hostname get set when using DHCP?

• Solaris OE Guide for New System Administrators
• Sun's Best Practices Guide (pdf)
• Sun documentation by product

• Having problems booting from your DVD drive in Solaris 8?

• How can I prevent my mail server from being used as a third-party relay?
• Why doesn't my .forward file work?

• Emacs cheatsheat

• How can I remove a file with a wierd character in the name?

• If you are having some problems like cannot determine current directory even if the perms look ok...there is a fix.
• How many inodes are being used in a particular filesystem?
• Is there a way to quickly determine which filesystems are over 90% full?

• NOTE: Flash requires at least Solaris 8 4/01 and does not work well with DiskSuite/softpartitions.
• How to exclude multiple directories and filesystems without using the "-x" option for Web Start Flash Archives.
• Example of installing Web Start Flash Archives with the Solaris 8 interactive installation program. (CC)
• How to install Web Start Flash Archives on a Boot Environment using Live Upgrade (Command-Line) (CC)
• Infodoc on how to run Jumpstart with a "separate" boot and install server and utilizing a Flash Archive. (CC)
• Solaris 8 software Jumpstart with a Boot Server only utilizing Flash Archive (CC)
• How to install a Flash Archive from a CD-ROM. (CC)

• Autogenerate your /etc/ftpusers file so you don't have to remember to modify it.
• NcFTP and ProFTPD are some handy, secure, configurable FTP servers. Article on configuring NcFTP.
• How do I setup an anonymous FTP server the long way or the Sun script way?
• How can I create an account that only allows FTP access?
• How can I change the ftp daemon's banner?
• Why can't I ftp to the box if I can telnet to it?

• Sun System Handbook Systems List Components List
• Article on Solaris device mappings.
• suntype is a script to help determine what model of Sun box you have.
• Some info about Sun Hardware Diagnostics. (CC)
• prtdiag is helpful in checking out what state your system is in. (CC)
• Sun System Handbook
• SunBlade 100 FAQ's and pictures.
• Sun System LED Descriptions

• How can you replace your nvram chip or change your hostid?

• How can I log all telnet/ftp connections?

• Solaris 10 has a new Reduced Networking Software Group that you can build up to have exactly what you want in it.
• Article on how to boot off CD-ROM to do Jumpstart installations. (PDF)
• Great Blueprints article on Customizing JumpStart Framework for Installation and Recovery (PDF)
  
  
• UberJS is designed to help with jumpstarting w/o RARP'ing over the network.
• Method for having a self-contained jumpstart/flash DVD.
• The JumpStart Enterprise Toolkit helps simplify the JumpStart process.
• The MR System for Rapid Recovery Toolkit helps you create a mini-root (via JumpStart) that will allow you to access VxVM, Networker, NetBackup, etc.
• There are several very good Sun BluePrints for setting up Jumpstart and customizing it for a recovery mini-root.
  
  
• I need help automating package installs.
• Here is a SysAdmin article to get you started with JumpStart.
• Tips for automating a Solaris 8 jumpstart.
• How would I add a kernel patch to a jumpstart image?

• If you are still running Solaris 2.6, don't apply 105181-33.
• What are the different tunable kernel paramters for Solaris 2.3 - 2.6, Solaris 8 (PDF) Solaris 9? (PDF)

• How can I disable the power/suspend key?
• How can you remove the keyboard from a running machine?

Libraries (or the lack of them)

• CRLE will allow you to configure your runtime linking environment from the system level.
• Accidentally removed/renamed a critical library file and can't get it back?

• coolcommands.com has a searchable database of commands or one-line scripts which provide a function in a UNIX environment.
• Celeste Stokely has information and links to just about anything and everything UNIX related.
• Sun's One-Stop Location for SA's web site.
• Sundot has real life UNIX observations and tips.
• Sunhelp - the name speaks for itself
• If you are needing used Sun equipment, Acclinet gives you a 48 month warranty on anything they sell!
• Solaris Infrequently Asked and Obscure Questions

• Sun Memory Module Compatibility Chart
• memconf will tell you what kind of memory is in your Sun box without opening it.
• Why do I have more free memory after I upgrade to Solaris 8?

• How can I setup my external modem to... Go directly to Celeste's serial port resources pages.

• You can now log NFS file operations.
• How can I fix the Stale NFS file handle error message?
• Having problems unmounting a busy FS in Solaris 7 or 8?

• Trying to decide what to call your servers?
• Ethernet FAQ
• How to setup more than 255 virtual ethernets on Solaris 8 (Sparc)
• nddconfig sets network driver parameters to prevent some network attacks.
• If I have multiple NIC's, how can I do outbound load spreading for Solaris 8 or have redundant network connections? Sun Answerbook   SysAdmin article   Sun BluePrints article (pdf)
• Where can I find a FREE firewall program for Sol 8? SunScreen is included in Solaris 9.
• How can I log or limit/deny certain hosts from telnet/ftp/etc. to my box? Download tcp-wrappers from Sunfreeware.com.
• How do I manually change the hostname or IP or change the hostname via a script?
  
  
• How do I set the NIC speed/duplex?
• How can I display what my current NIC speed/duplex settings are?
• What are the limitations when using multiple NIC's?
• Ok, what about setting up trunking on a QFE card?
  
  
• When multiple interfaces are installed and it complains they are not plugged in, you can stop those error messages with setenv tpe_link test false at the ok prompt.
• How can I determine if an interface is in promiscuous mode?
• How can I prevent being detected while snooping?
• How do I interpret the output of netstat -k?
• How do I turn off replies to broadcast pings?
  
  
• Where can I find information about tuning my TCP/IP stack?
• I have heard that Solaris web servers are slow to serve MS clients? How can I speed up their access?
• What if I don't want to use the /etc/defaultrouter file?
• So what do those lights on the back of my FDDI card mean?
  
  
• How do interface groups differ from trunking?
• Why should I use interface groups?
• I want to know more about interface groups?

• Some info on protecting your NIS maps.
• Here is a nice method to secure NIS.

• How can I recreate /dev/null?

• How can I reset the default boot-file (or anything else)? set-default boot-file
• Change/create the boot-device alias while the server is running using the "eeprom" command. (CC)
• How to view OBP aliases from a booted system (CC) or have a script cut out the relevant OBP aliases section for you.
• Sun OBP Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
• Available OpenBoot Prom diagnostic commands (CC)

• The Top 10 reasons you should upgrade at least to Solaris 8.
• Reasons you should consider upgrade to Solaris 9.
• How can I tell if I am running in 32 bit or 64 bit mode?
• Where can I find out more info about booting the 32 or 64-Bit Kernel?
• Which OS release am I running? cat /var/sadm/softinfo/INST_RELEASE OR cat /etc/release
• What is the latest version of Solaris that is available?
• Where can I find the Solaris Family Comparison Chart of features for each OS version?

• Info on how you can make your own Solaris packages.
• How can you determine which package a file belongs to?

• Solaris 10 has a new password history feature.

• How can you determine if this is a clean install or an upgraded Solaris system?
• What are the various patch exit codes?

• Performance and Tuning on Solaris 2.6, 7 and 8

• Why do I get some error message about /etc/power.conf?

• Why shouldn't I be using priority paging on Solaris 8 and 9?
• What is priority paging and why do I need it if I am running pre Solaris 8?
• Priority Paging FAQ

• How can you determine which process is using that port? Otherwise, you must use LSOF.

• Tech article on the basics of printing.

• Solaris 10 allows you to limit the display of other user's processes.
• pargs -e will display a process' environment variables

• The Sun Fire v440 has onboard hardware RAID 1. raidctl Solaris 8 man page
• Here's how to detect a failed v440 hardware RAID 1 disk and the process to replace it.
• Why can't I create a 2nd mirrorset using the v440's onboard RAID card?
• Why is RAID 1+0 better than RAID 0+1?
• Description and summary chart of the different RAID levels.
• AC&NC describes the different RAID levels in an easy to understand format.
• RAID benchmarking tools

• How to reset the A1000/A3x00 configuration if you have been swapping disks with other A1000's or have the orange light on w/o any hardware errors.
• Here is another/quicker method to reset the A1000 configuration.
• How can you wipe the DACstore from an A1000 drive?
• How can I create A1000 & A3x00 luns with Raid Manager 6.22 and not have to reboot?
• Here are the CLI equivalents to saving a raid module profile in RM6.
• Here are some instructions on how to setup an A1000 on Solaris 8
• Is it possible to swap the A1000 cache battery without powering the array off?
• Known bug with RM 6.22 results in the following error messages: "Auto configure failed" or "Wrong number of drives entered for the RAID level given".
• Think you have a failing power supply on your A1000/A3000? (CC)
• Some info on the different RM6 Controller States. (CC)
• You need to read this Infodoc if you are trying to run RM on Solaris 8. (CC)
• Having long boot times (90mins) with >8 LUN support on A1000 and A3x00 configurations? (CC)

• You can disable prompting for user or system registration reminder after installing Solaris.

• SysAdmin quick comparison of Solaris 8, HP-UX, FreeBSD, Linux, AIX
• Compares: AIX, FreeBSD, HP-UX, Redhat, Solaris, Tru64 (PDF)
• Compares: Everything and the kitchen sink (PDF)

• Here is how to determine which root disk you are booted from.
• Quick how-to on setting up Sun eeprom aliases for alternative boot disks.
• The script scsiinfo will displays information about SCSI devices attached to a given system (like probe-scsi, but from the OS).
• iostat -En will also provide you with SCSI device information.
• WD converts sd instance numbers to logical device names and vice versa.
• dmap is a utility from SarCheck that also provides instance numbers/logical device names.
• Getspace is a handy little script to grab the used and free space via df -k.
• Need to add SCSI disks "hot" or make it see your cdrom (Solaris 7 and earlier)?     In Solaris 8, use devfsadm -c disk.

• The Solaris 8 Build Document has lots of handy security checks, scripts, etc. (PDF) [locally]
• Solaris Security Toolkit FixModes
• Armoring Solaris Armoring Solaris: II
• The Solaris Security FAQ
• Here are some suggestions for securing Solaris.

• Handy sed one-liners.

• How can I easily look up where this e-mail address will go?
• Need to know which version of sendmail I'm running.
• How can I allow Sendmail to run w/o accepting mail from other servers? (also check ou the Oct. 2003 issue for more info)
• How can I change the sendmail banner?

• SMF has a new function svcs -x to help figure out what is wrong with my system.
• SMF has changed the way the system starts up and shuts down. The /etc/rc?.d/ directories are all LEGACY facilities.
• Solaris 10 has some new features with svcadm.
• SMF quickstart guide
• Solaris 10 allows enabling and disabling of services using the svc* commands.
• Here's the SMF developer introduction.

• Where can I find the SE Toolkit?
• Please be careful when running virtual_adrian as it will make changes to the kernel following Adrian's rules.

• How can you determine if you have an interacive login?
• Lots of good info (memory refreshers) on KSH.
• KSH FAQ
• KSH examples
• How can I compile a shell script so people can't change it or strings/view the password? Francisco's home page

• If you are running SVM and have slow disk transfer rates, make sure to apply 113073 to speed things up by a factor of 3.
• Please note the NEW procedure to replace SVM disks that have gone bad. The old method for SDS no longer works with those device ID's.
  
  
• Here is a nice soft partitioning doc for DiskSuite/SVM The only other docs are the man pages.
• Undocumented setting to ignore the quorum rule in DiskSuite 4.2.1.
• What to do when one of your DiskSuite mirrors went bad and you didn't use the above tip.
• Where can I get the newest version of Solstice DiskSuite that supports soft partitions? The Solaris 8 patch is actually 108693. It is built into Solaris 9 as Solaris Volume Manager. (CC)
• If you are running Solaris 2.6/7 and want to use soft partions, you must upgrade to Solaris 8/9. The patch revision (106628-18) has a serious, silent 4 GB bug, so they have withdrawn it.
  
• BluePrints article on SVM Performance Best Practices.
• Can I convince DiskSuite do RAID 1+0 (which is better than 0+1, and why)? (CC)
  
  
• It is hard to keep all these different names Sun assigns to everything straight. Where can I find a list of all the product aliases for SDS/SVM/etc? (CC)
• Great way to have DiskSuite/SVM coexist with Veritas and let each do what it does best.
• Nice doc on how to replace a mirror gone bad. PDF
• Quick method for mirroring your root disk with DiskSuite (Solaris Volume Manager) and an example of how the SVM root disk could be laid out.
  
  
• How should I replace a failed root disk in a Sun Fire 280r (or any FCAL disk) when it is running SVM/SDS and why you can't do it the way you think should work... (CC)
• How do I increase the number of metadevices? Check the DiskSuite FAQ
• How do I remove the boot disk from DiskSuite control? Check the DiskSuite FAQ

• Sort can be used to generate a list sorted by the first field, with only the highest valued second field for each first field value.

• ClusterSSH allows you to control a number of xterm windows via a single console.
• How do I get trusted-host authentication working?
• How can I get hostbased authentication to work with SSH2?

• A short article on Starfire Administration

• How can we prevent the Stop-A key from being used if we don't have a keyswitch?
• How can we create an alternate keyboard sequence for the BREAK signal on a dumb terminal?
• How do I prevent a spurious BREAK (includes terminal server reboot) signal from halting my Sun server? Cisco method (Workaround section) or the Stokely method
• How the different terminal servers stack up on this issue.
• How do I send the break sequence (aka STOP-A or L1-A) using my terminal program?
• Here is the explanation of the resistor between the pins fix and where it came from.

• Storage Array helpful tips

• How to prevent syslog from accepting remote messages.

• Need to log when someone uses su? Use this dummy su program instead.

• If sys-uconfig wipes out your LDAP config files during Flash installs in Solaris 9, you need Patch-ID# 112941. (CC)
• Is your sys-unconfig broken in Solaris 8?

• Show me the easiest way to move files between directories using tar.
• Oops, I accidentally created a tar file with an absolute path.
• How can I use wildcards when extracting only certain files from a tarfile?
• Trying to use tar with include/exclude lists? Use /dev/null as the destination.

• How can I create an account that only allows telnet/login access (no FTP)?
• How can I change the default telnet banner?

• How come my server won't boot until I connect my terminal to it?

• How do I change the timezone my Sun server is in?

• Top is very handy at getting a snapshot of your server.

• What are all the options to uadmin?

• The performance of UFS logging improves or exceeds the level of performance of nonlogging file systems in Solaris 08/2003.
• How can I enable UFS logging on Solaris 7 and later?
• Why aren't you logging?

• VxFS quick reference guide

• Basic VxVM commands quick reference sheet (PDF)
• Advanced VxVM quick reference sheet (PDF)
• Sun doc on how to replace a disk in a 280r when you are using Veritas to mirror the disks. (CC)
• Here is the best way to mirror your root disk with Veritas.
• How to create a RAID 1+0 (striped-pro) volume. (CC)
• How to convert an existing RAID 0+1 volume to RAID 1+0. (CC)
• How to disable and re-enable VERITAS Volume Manager (VxVM) at boot time when the boot disk is encapsulated.
• How do you replace an E3500 internal FCAL disk?
• How can I replace a failing/failed primary rootdisk?
• Top 10 FAQ's about Volume Manager. (CC)
• How do I add a disk "hot" to Veritas?

• VVR quick reference guide

• VI Cheatsheet PDF
• VI lovers home page
• How can I reverse a text file with vi?
• Can I delete blank lines in a file using vi?
• If I wanted to make the same change several times in file, use vi.

• How can I print a list of all possible resolution/refresh rates for your screen?
• Would you like to set your display to 24 bit color?
• Where can I find the cable adapters that will let me use my PC's monitor on a Sun box?
• Sun's official answer on using Sun monitors on a PC.
• How to connect a SUN monitor to a PC.

• Want to automatically play audio cd's or mount your Jaz drive?

• I need to add a login warning message when logging into CDE.
• How can I keep my Sun server from announcing that it will serve as an X server?

• Getting a bunch of error messages in syslog related to Xaserver?

• Solaris 10 (02/2004) now has zones available.
• Zlogin manpage