Booting an SGI Headless

Introduction

Sometimes you want to run a system headless - that means without monitor and keyboard and mouse connected - this is the case when you want to use an SGI as a server. If you simply try to boot your SGI with keyboard and mouse unplugged, it won't boot. But there is a simple way how to get it boot.

Solution

The solution is very simple: You have to change the NVRAM-variable console from "g" to "d". This can either be done at the PROM monitor by typing

>> setenv console d

or at a normal root prompt by typing

# nvram console d

These lines simply change a NVRAM variable and enables the serial interface as default console. And if you want to boot in the normal mode again, simply change the NVRAM-variable console to "g" again by typing at the PROM monitor by typing

>> setenv console g

or at a normal root prompt by typing

# nvram console g

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