Ipmi; Console Redirection - Intel X38ML - Server Board Motherboard Technical Manual

Platform Management
5.23.1

IPMI

Intelligent platform management refers to autonomous monitoring and recovery features that
are implemented in the platform hardware and firmware. Platform management functions such
as inventory, the event log, monitoring, and system health reporting are available without help
from the host processors and when the server is in a powered down state, as long as AC power
is attached. The baseboard management controller (BMC) and other controllers perform these
tasks independently of the host processor. The BIOS interacts with the platform management
controllers through standard interfaces.
The BIOS enables the system interface to the BMC in early POST. The BIOS logs system
events and POST error codes during the system operation. The BIOS logs a boot event to BMC
early in POST. The events logged by the BIOS follow the Intelligent Platform Management
Interface Specification, Version 2.0.
IPMI defines the required use of all but two bytes in each event log entry called Event Data 2
and Event Data 3. An event generator can specify that these bytes contain OEM-specified
values. The contents of these bytes are defined in Section 6.2.
5.23.2

Console Redirection

The BIOS supports redirection of both video and keyboard through a serial link (serial port).
When console redirection is enabled, the local (host server) keyboard input and video output
are passed both to the local keyboard and video connections, and to the remote console
through the serial link. Keyboard inputs from both sources are considered valid and video is
displayed to both outputs.
You can also control the system from a remote console, so a host keyboard or monitor is not
required. Utilities that can be executed remotely include BIOS Setup.
5.23.2.1 Serial Configuration Settings
For optimal configuration of Serial Over LAN or EMP, refer to the BMC EPS.
The BIOS does not require that the splash logo be turned off for console redirection to function.
The BIOS supports multiple consoles, some of which are in graphics mode and some in text
mode. The graphics consoles can display the logo and the text consoles receive the redirected
text.
Console redirection ends at the beginning of the legacy operating system boot (INT 19h). The
operating system is responsible for continuing the redirection from that point.
5.23.2.2 Keystroke Mappings
During console redirection, the remote terminal sends keystrokes to the local server. The
remote terminal can be a dumb terminal with a direct connection and running a communication
program. The keystroke mappings follow VT-UTF8 format with the following extensions.
5.23.2.2.1 Standalone <Esc> Key for Headless Operation
The Microsoft Headless Design Guidelines describes a specific implementation for the <Esc>
key as a single standalone keystroke:
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Intel order number E15331-006
Intel® Server Board X38ML
Revision 1.3