Intel X38ML - Server Board Motherboard Technical Manual page 98

Platform Management Intel® Server Board X38ML
Manager screens, Power-On Self-Test (POST) informational messages, and hot-key/escape
sequence action requests.
Output is displayed locally at the computer on video display devices. This is limited to VGA
displays in text or graphics mode. Local input may come from a USB keyboard. Mouse support
is not available.
The use of serial port console redirection allows a single serial cable to be used for each server
system. The serial cables from a number of servers can be connected to a serial concentrator or
to a switch. This allows access to each individual server system. The system administrator can
remotely switch from one server to another to manage large numbers of servers.
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Through the redirection capabilities of the BMC on Intel platforms, the serial port UART
input/output stream can be further redirected and sent over a platform LAN device as a
packetized serial byte stream. This BMC function is called Serial over LAN (SOL). It further
optimizes space requirements and server management capabilities.
Additional features are available if BIOS for Console Redirection is enabled on the same COM
port as the Channel Access serial port, and if the Channel Access Mode is set to either Always
Active or Pre-boot.
BIOS console redirection supports an extra control escape sequence to force the COM port to
the BMC. After this command is sent, the COM1 port attaches to the BMC Channel Access
serial port and Super I/O COM1 data is ignored. This feature allows a remote user to monitor
the status of POST using the standard BIOS console redirection features and then take control
of the system reset or power using the Channel Mode features. If a failure occurs during POST,
a watchdog time-out feature in the BMC automatically takes control of the COM1 port.
The character sequence that switches the multiplexer to the BMC serial port is "ESC O 9"
(denoted as ^[O9). This key sequence is above the normal ANSI function keys and is not used
by an ANSI terminal.
5.23.3.3 SOL, EMP and Console Redirection Use Case Model
SOL, EMP, and Console Redirection on the Serial B port are mutually exclusive. Only one of
these options can be used at a time. The SOL has highest priority, followed by the EMP.
Console Redirection has the lowest priority.
SOL and Console Redirection on Serial A port are also mutually exclusive.
Console Redirection on Serial A and Serial B are mutually exclusive features. Console
Redirection can only be configured on one port at a time.
Example 1:
Console Redirection is enabled on Serial B with Baud = 115200, Flow Control=CTS-RTS,
Terminal Type =VT100.
SOL Not Active: The BIOS sends data on Serial B port with 115200 Baud, with flow control
CTS-RTS enabled, and it emulates terminal Type VT100. In summary, the BIOS uses the BIOS
Setup utility to perform Console Redirection on Serial B.
86 Revision 1.3
Intel order number E15331-006