NVRAM Programming Service

For sun3x, sun4c, sun4m, and sun4u Series Machines

Do you have a Sun workstation or server which is forgetting it's ethernet address, serial number and perhaps the time as well?

If so, you probably need to replace the machine's NVRAM device with a fresh one since it maintains the system clock, as well as storing your machine's ethernet address and serial number. If the NVRAM's internal lithium cell fails or runs out of charge, your machine loses all of this information.

You can obtain and program a new NVRAM yourself, however if you'd rather not go through the hassle of doing it you might like to use my NVRAM programming service as detailed below...

Details

NVRAM Programming Service Pricing
Type	Capacity	Systems	Price without Programming	Price with Programming
48T02	2 KB x 8	sun4c family Sparcstation 1, 1+, 2, IPC, IPX, SLC and ELC systems, and 3/80 systems	$40	$65
48T08	8 KB x 8	sun4m family Sparcstations LC, LX, 4, 5, 10 and 4/6x0 systems (not SS20's)	$50	$75
48T18	8 KB x 8	sun4m family Sparcstations 20 systems	$50	$75
48T59	8 KB x 8	sun4u family Ultrasparc-based systems	$50	$75

These prices do not include shipping and handling costs. I can offer significant discounts for bulk programming orders - please contact me via email for a quote.

This is how the service works:

- Send me some email requesting one (or more) new, programmed NVRAM(s). I need to know the machine type, as well as (optionally - see the note below) the ethernet address and serial number of your machine(s). Please include your name and mailing address, and if you're in Australia a contact phone number (or numbers) so I can call you to confirm the details to be programmed into the new NVRAM(s).
- I will program the new NVRAM(s) for your machine(s) using the information you provide (or a combination if you can't find out the original ethernet address and/or serial number details), and send the NVRAM('s) to you anywhere in the world. If you are outside Australia, you will need to read my terms and conditions carefully to work out which payment method will work best for you.

Notes about NVRAM Contents

The ethernet address and serial number are normally reported by the bootrom when the machine completes it's self-tests. If your machine reports that the NVRAM battery is failing, but it can still read the valid ethernet address and serial number out of the NVRAM, record these details now.

If you don't have any record of the machine's ethernet address, or it's serial number, I'll make some suitable numbers up for these. However you must tell me the machine type because this is programmed into the NVRAM as well.

If you don't have a record of the machine's ethernet address, and before telling me you don't know, please have a look in the /etc/ethers files on other machines on the same network as yours (if it's on a local network of some sort), or see if the arp (Adress Resolution Protocol) tables on any other machines have it listed. Try typing 'arp -a' on other machines.

For every NVRAM (or batch of NVRAM's) I program, I can also include a printed record of all the information I have programmed into it (them). That way you will have a record in case you need to know in the future.

Please note that if you can't tell me the original ethernet address and/or serial number, I cannot accept any liability for ethernet and/or serial number conflicts with other machines, or for any damage or loss this might cause.

Can I Order Unprogrammed NVRAM's?

Yes you can. I'm happy to supply unprogrammed NVRAM's if you'd like to do the programming yourself. It's not difficult to do, but if you'd like peace-of-mind you might be better off buying NVRAM's pre-programmed.

Anyway, the cost for unprogrammed NVRAM's is:

- 48T02 - $40 each - tube lots (14 devices per tube) discounted

- 48T08 - $50 each - tube lots (12 devices per tube) discounted

- 48T18 - $60 each - tube lots (12 devices per tube) discounted

If you would like to purchase these NVRAM's in tube-lots, I can supply them like that too, and the cost will be significantly less per unit.

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