The F12 key is not working on the redirected serial console

Asset ID:	1-72-1007814.1
Update Date:	2009-02-16
Keywords:

Solution Type Problem Resolution Sure

Solution 1007814.1 : The F12 key is not working on the redirected serial console

Related Items


Sun Fire V60x Server
 Sun Fire V65x Server
 Sun Fire V20z Server
 Sun Fire V40z Server

Related Categories


GCS>Sun Microsystems>Servers>x64 Servers

PreviouslyPublishedAs
210804

Symptoms
The Sun[TM] x86 based server appears to not respond to F12 key when the console is redirected to serial port.

Resolution
When attempting to do an installation of an Operating System on a Sun[TM] x86 based platform via the network without using local media(CD/DVD/Floppy), it is necessary to hit the F12 key to select the network boot.

For example, from a Sun Fire[TM] v65x server:

AMIBIOS (C)1985-2003 American Megatrends Inc.,
Copyright 1996-2003 Intel Corporation

SWV25.86B.1191.P08.0310291543
SWV2 Production BIOS Version 15.01
BIOS Build 1191

2 X Intel(R) Xeon(TM) CPU 2.80GHz
533MHz Front Side Bus
Testing system memory, memory size=2048MB
2048MB Extended Memory Passed
512K L2 Cache SRAM Passed

Press <F2> to enter SETUP,  <F12> Network Boot

When the system has a direct attached keyboard and is using the onboard video, this is not a problem. However, when the console is redirected (via a BIOS setting) to the onboard serial port, hitting <F12> in your terminal window doesn't appear to do anything.
The issue is that most terminal emulators will intercept the <F12> key and it won't actually get through. You need to use an alternate key sequence.
The following keys can be emulated as follows.

           Alternate
Key        Sequence
---------------------
<F1>       <Esc>-1
<F2>       <Esc>-2
<F3>       <Esc>-3
<F4>       <Esc>-4
<F5>       <Esc>-5
<F6>       <Esc>-6
<F7>       <Esc>-7
<F8>       <Esc>-8
<F9>       <Esc>-9
<F10>      <Esc>-0
<F11>      <Esc>-!      (<Esc> and then <Shift>-<1>)
<F12>      <Esc>-@      (<Esc> and then <Shift>-<2>)

Product
Sun Fire V65x Server
Sun Fire V60x Server
Sun Fire V20z Server
Sun Fire V40z Server

f12, network boot, pxe, console redirection, bios
Previously Published As
79446

Change History
Date: 2004-12-07
User Name: 36642
Action: Approved
Comment: publishing.
Version: 3
Date: 2004-12-07
User Name: 36642
Action: Accept
Comment:
Version: 0
Date: 2004-12-07
User Name: 75329
Action: Approved
Comment: Looks good. Ready for final review.
Version: 0s should be an technical instruction instead of an problem resolution?

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