Chapter 1. Introduction - Lenovo RD220 - ThinkServer - 3798 User Manual

Chapter 1. Introduction

The Integrated Management Module (IMM) consolidates the service processor
functionality, Super I/O, video controller, and remote presence capabilities in a
single chip on the server system board. The IMM replaces the baseboard
management controller (BMC) and Remote Supervisor Adapter II in Lenovo
ThinkServer
Before the IMM was used in Lenovo servers, the baseboard management controller
(BMC) and basic input/output system (BIOS) were the standard
systems-management hardware and firmware. ThinkServer servers used BMC
service processors to manage the interface between systems-management software
and platform hardware. The Remote Supervisor Adapter II and Remote Supervisor
Adapter II Slimline were optional controllers for out-of-band server management.
The IMM offers several improvements over the combined functionality of the BMC
and the Remote Supervisor Adapter II:
v Choice of dedicated or shared Ethernet connection.
v One IP address for both the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI)
v Embedded Dynamic System Analysis (DSA).
v Ability to locally or remotely update other entities without requiring a server
v Remote configuration with Advanced Settings Utility (ASU).
v Capability for applications and tools to access the IMM either in-band or
v Enhanced remote-presence capabilities.
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) replaces BIOS in ThinkServer servers.
The basic input/output system (BIOS) was the standard firmware code that
controlled basic hardware operations, such as interactions with diskette drives,
hard disk drives, and the keyboard. The server firmware offers several features
that BIOS does not, including UEFI 2.1 compliance, iSCSI compatibility, and
enhanced reliability and service capabilities. The Setup Utility provides server
information, server setup, customization compatibility, and establishes the boot
device order.
Notes:
1. The server firmware is occasionally called UEFI in this document.
2. The server firmware is fully compatible with non-UEFI operating systems.
This document explains how to use the functions of the IMM in a Lenovo
Thinkserver server. The IMM works with the server firmware to provide
systems-management capability for ThinkServer servers.
This document does not contain explanations of errors or messages. IMM errors
and messages are described in the Hardware Maintenance Manual that came with
your server.
If firmware and documentation updates are available, you can download them
from the Lenovo Support Web site. The IMM might have features that are not
© Lenovo 2009. Portions © IBM Corp. 2009.
™
servers.
and the service processor interface.
restart to initiate the update process.
out-of-band.
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