Starting the Solaris Management Console

The following procedure describes how to start the console and gain access to the Solaris management tools.

For instructions on what to do if you are the first user to log in to the console, see If You Are the First to Log in to the Console.

How to Start the Console as Superuser or as a Role

If you start the console as a user with your own user account, you have limited access to the Solaris management tools. For greater access, you can log in as yourself and then log in as one of the roles you are allowed to assume. If you are permitted to assume the role of Primary Administrator, you then have access to all the Solaris management tools. This role is equivalent to that of superuser.

1. Verify that you are in a window environment, such as the CDE environment.
2. Start the console in one of the following ways:
   • From the command line, type the following command:

     % /usr/sadm/bin/smc &

     It might take a minute or two for the console to come up the first time.

   • Start the console from the Tools menu of the CDE front panel.
   • Double-click the Solaris Management Console icon in CDE's Applications Manager or File Manager.

   The Solaris Management Console window is displayed.

   ---

   Note - Open a console in your window environment to display the Solaris Management Console startup messages. Do not attempt to start the Solaris Management Console server manually before starting the Solaris Management Console. The server starts automatically when you start the Solaris Management Console. For information on troubleshooting console problems, see Troubleshooting the Solaris Management Console.

   ---

3. Double-click the This Computer icon under the Management Tools icon in the Navigation pane.

   A list of categories is displayed.

4. (Optional) Select the appropriate toolbox.

   If you want to use a toolbox other than the default toolbox, select the appropriate toolbox from the Navigation pane. Or, select Open Toolbox from the console menu and load the toolbox you want.

   For information about using different toolboxes, see How to Create a Toolbox for a Specific Environment.

5. Double-click the category icon to access a particular tool.

   Use the online help to identify how to perform a specific task.

6. Double-click the tool icon.

   A pop-up Log-In window is displayed.

7. Decide if you want to use the tool as superuser or as a role. If you are logging in a as superuser, enter the root password.
8. If you are logging in as yourself, backspace over the root user name. Then supply your user ID and user password.

   A list of roles you can assume is displayed.

9. Select the Primary Administrator role, or an equivalent role, and supply the role password.

   For step-by-step instructions on creating the Primary Administrator role, see How to Create the First Role (Primary Administrator).

   The main tool menu is displayed.