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PCI Video card for Netra T 1125

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive PCI video card for a Netra T 1125 server?

[98 byte] By [GaryFuqua] at [2007-11-25 22:38:14]

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# 1

Hello Gary, if you think about using a PCI card from a x86 PC, no they aren't supported (that means won't work). Get a PGX-32 or PGX-64 either new or from second hand. Michael

maal at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

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# 2

Glance at the Ultra-60 components list in the Sun System Handbook.That systemboard is the same as the Netra 112x systems. While the Netra chassis may not let you use any UPA graphics, the PCI cards should function fine.

Bill at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 3

why are you concerned with a frame buffer on this machine, since you cannot hook up a keyboard to it? I am considering drilling a hole to access the keyboard for mine.... and it is a server, for goodness sake! haroldkarl

haroldkarl at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 4

Thank you for the recommendations.I figured the HW is completely different from an X86 machine.I didn't even try an X86 card.

FYI, there IS a port for a keyboard on my Netra T 1125 machine, which is inconsistent with all the technical documentation that I could find on-line.I attached a photo.

It looks like it was part of the original design, since there is a keyboard icon above the keyboard port.

It looks almost like a PS/2 connection, but slightly different..Here is a link to a pinout diagram that matches if you are interested

<a href="http://pinouts.ru/data/keyboardsun_pinout.shtml" target="_blank">http://pinouts.ru/data/keyboardsun_pinout.shtml</a>

Gary

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 5

that is great! my 1125 and 1105 don't have keyboard ports. yes, it would take a Sun keyboard... as it is the same motherboard as the U60...

most any of the older pci frame buffers should work in your netra... there may be some rumbling somewhere in Sweden if you put one in that is not "Officially" listed in the sacred hardware pages! and they are available on ebay.... please don't try to buy them at the Sun store.....

un PGX32 8/24 Bit Color PCi Frame Buffer (p/n X3668A) that one is 15 pin... there is a version if you have the Sun 13w3 monitor... I could tell you the model number, but all mine are packed and ready to move to a new location....

have fun,

haroldkarl

haroldkarl at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 6

I reviewed the U-60 list.It looks like I have a lot of choices.

I will definately go the eBay route because of price.

Is it possible that any of these video cards are going to "plug and play"?

Or will I have to take extra steps to make it work?

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 7

OK..I purchased. Sun X3668A 370-3753 Raptor GFX PGX32 PCI Graphics Card on eBay for under $20US with shipping. Thanks for all of your help.

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 8

Get back to us after you take delivery.

The software packages for the PGX32 card are probably not installed to the system as yet.Search your Netra system by using the pkginfo command for TSI* (tango-sierra-indigo)

The framebuffer is actually an OEM TechSource card and thus the package names.

<a href="http://www.techsource.com/products/datasheets/gfx8p.htm" target="_blank">http://www.techsource.com/products/datasheets/gfx8p.htm</ a>

If necessary, you can pkgadd them after copying them from your Solaris installation media CD disk #1 of 2.

Confirm that your new card is physically recognized at the OBP level with the show-devs command after it's installed.

Then do a reconfiguration reboot.

You'll probably need other changes to the OBP config as well, such as for input device ant output device.

Bill at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 9

Hello Gary,

[i]Is it possible that any of these video cards are going to "plug and play"?[/b]

due to changes to the Sun System Handbook access, the manual must be located from docs.sun.com.

The Sun PGX32PCI Graphics Card Installation Guide is Part No. 805-7770-11.

Sun documentation is quite good. There is only one problem: people are reluctant to read it.

Then do a reconfiguration reboot.

That's boot -r

Michael

maal at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 10

It doesn't look like the package in question is installed.Once the card is delivered, I will try your suggestions and the documentation. THanks for your help Gary

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 11

Harold, I have had many 1125s through my business over the last year and each system had keyboard ports pre manufactured ( part of the enclosure ).

mlennon at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 12

Martin, I can only judge the T1125 by the beasts that I own... and it and the T1105 were sans keyboard connectors... whatever! harold

haroldkarl at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 13

OK. I have the new video card, keyboard and mouse.

I installed the hardware and turned on the computer.The keyboard and video card seem to work.

I can see the boot up messages on the monitor connected to the server.I can log in using the new keyboard.

Video seems to be working in text mode.

I FTP the file called gfxOWv21.tar.tar into a directory called /tmp.

I feel like I'm asking a stupid question here, but what is next.?The instructions say to uncompress the file using the following command:

prompt% uncompress gfxOWv21.tar.Z

When I type this command, I get an error saying file or directory does not exist.I am fumbling with Unix to get through this.I'm sure I'm overlooking or doing something wrong.

Thanks

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 14

have you tried uncompressing it via the file manager... right-clicking on the file? as you can tell, I am not a command line guy... thus my Solaris experience has been slow, painfull one...

Unix is fun, unix is painfull...

haroldkarl

haroldkarl at 2007-7-5 14:08:12 >

# 15

If you're booted in text mode only, then until the packages get installed, there will be no GUI, and no right-click convenience.

You mentioned that the file you copied across has a dot-tar-dot-tar file extension to it.

The download from TechSource should have been retrieved as a dot-tar-dot-capital-Z file.... which is a compressed tarball.

So... if I'm reading you correctly, something corrupted your ftp download and you'll need to get it again.

Next, consider switching to root user to do this, and be explicit as to absolute pathing within your commands.

For example:

prompt% su root<and enter the password when requested>

# pwd

# uncompress /tmp/gfxOWv21.tar.Z

# untar /tmp/gfxOWv21.tar

then you'll need to pkgadd whatever you end up with.

But, don't you have the Solaris CD's?

Even TechSource suggests you install from those disks:

<a href="http://www.techsource.com/tech_support/gfx_sol.htm" target="_blank">http://www.techsource.com/tech_support/gfx_sol.htm</a>

Bill at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 16

Yeah, I'd agree with Bill, the TSIgfx* packages are bundled with the OE media ( Solz 8, 9 and 10 ) and would be more straight forwad to install:

# pkgadd -d /media_directory/Product TSIgfxrv

Bill, love the trucker jargon earlier in the thread Tango-sierra, sounds like you and JD have been out in the Bronco!!

mlennon at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 17

Yippie!!!!.I have GUI!! Thank you for all of your help.

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 18

That's a 10-4 good buddy. Sounds like a windows box was used in the retrieval on the way down and added the 2nd ".tar"

jds2n at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 19

Yup, that's what I suspected, as well.

do man GFXconfig

for the utility to customize your graphics output settings.(case sensitive).

If the monitor can handle it, 1280x1024x75 at a 24bit color depth is very do-able, but if everything becomes too small for your eyes, then use 1152x900.

I've often found that 1024x768 is a bit ...how might you say ...too coarse.

But that's a personal preference.

Bill at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 20

You guessed it on the file. You are good!

When I downloaded and saved the file on the x86 box it defaulted to the tar.tar name.I don't have Internet access working on the 1125 yet.Only FTP from an X86. Although I do have an Ethernet connection.Ping works.

I know enough Unix to be catastrophically dangerous using root access.I'm even more dangerous with "The Universal Command Guide For Operating Systems"Format c:....

Now I need to make room on this thing so I can upgrade to Solaris 10.

The GUI should make this easier.Any suggestions on what not to delete?

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 21

BTW, I don't have any CD's for this machine's current setup.

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 22

Ok, how are you planning to install Solaris 10, you suggest that you're a novice Solaris user, so I assume that you are not using an install server or are you? A standard installation of Solaris 10 with CD or DVD,( with the pgx32 card installed ) will detect and load the correct modules ( drivers ) for the graphics card and will allow you to perform a GUI installation ( this will be the same with a network install as well ). I would suggest that you set the OBP parameters input-device and output-device first.

I have performed some test desktop upgrades from Solaris 8 and 9 to Solaris 10 on SPARC systems ( Ultra 80 and Blade 1000 ) and ran into various issues ( failed to initialize network/physical:default for example ) and it took some work to reconfigure the system and get it back on line, this could turn out to be a nightmare to someone who is new to Solaris! So again, I would suggest that you start over and install Solaris 10 fresh, learn how to use the operating system and then try some more advanced configuration.

mlennon at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 23

You can download the zipped ISO's from here:

<a href="http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Software/" target="_blank">http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Software/</a>

As I type this, Solaris 8, 9, and 10 are offered there, SPARC and x86 architectures.

You'll need to have a Sunsolve profile created for their download site.If you do not currently have one, your attempt to select an OS distro will prompt you forward to a web page where you can create one.

Whatever you eventually choose, do a fresh install.

You can keep the existing OS on one drive and install another OS to the other internal disk.

Leave the OBP set for auto-boot? at false then you'd boot to one disk alias or to the other disk alias, for the OS-du-jour.

If you have the time, spend a few hours reading the postings in the OS forums, both the Install From CD and the x86 forum.Your computer isn't Intel architecture but installation issues are experienced there as well.

Bill at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 24

I would prefer to wipe the hard drive computer completely.Is there a right way to do that?

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

# 25

Downloaded and burned four Sparc CD's for Solaris 10.I also burned a disk called "Companion".

GaryFuqua at 2007-7-5 14:08:14 >

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