Xserve: How to Start Up Xserve Using an External Drive

This document describes how to start up Xserve using an external drive.

Starting up Xserve from an external drive is useful when you need to run diagnostics or isolate internal CD-ROM or DVD drive issues.

Important: In order to start up the server from an external drive, you must have:

• another FireWire drive or system, such as an external FireWire hard drive, or a Macintosh computer that is capable of starting up using Target Disk Mode (for example a PowerBook or iBook)
• a version of Xserve software (Mac OS X Server 10.1.5) capable of starting up Xserve already installed on the external drive
• a keyboard and display connected to server
• physical access to the server
• a keyboard to locally select a volume

How to start up Xserve using an external drive

1. Make sure that Xserve is turned off.
2. Connect a FireWire cable between the external FireWire drive or computer and Xserve.
3. Hold down the 'T' key on the keyboard of external FireWire-capable computer while it starts up to put it into FireWire Target Disk Mode.
4. Turn on Xserve while holding down the 'Option' key on Xserve's keyboard. The Startup Manager appears.
5. Select the appropriate drive you wish to start up from in the Startup Manager window, then click the right arrow button.
6. Xserve should start up to the external FireWire drive or computer.

How to start up Xserve using an external drive remotely

1. Open the Terminal application on a remote computer.
2. Log in as an Admin user on the Xserve.
3. Type: bless -folder /Volumes/<your drive name/System/Library/CoreServices -setOF
4. Press Return.
5. Type: Reboot
6. Press Return. Xserve should start up from the external FireWire drive or computer.