The Boot PROM Firmware (OpenBoot)
The boot Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) of a system is used to store the firmware that is executed immediately after the system hardware finishes the Power On Self Test (POST). This firmware is called OpenBoot and is the standard firmware for Sun systems.
OpenBoot is used to boot the operating system, run diagnostics, modify boot-related parameters stored in nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM), and provide a Forth interpreter.
Currently, three versions of OpenBoot are supported: version 2.x, version 3.x, and version 4.x. OpenBoot 2.x was introduced with SPARCstation 2 and SPARCStation IPX systems. OpenBoot 3.x and 4.x are enhanced versions of OpenBoot 2.x and are based on IEEE Standard 1275-1994, Standard for Boot ...
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