User`s guide

6-2 AlphaServer DS20 User’s Guide
6.1 RCM Overview
The remote console manager (RCM) monitors and controls the system remotely.
The control logic resides on the system board.
The RCM is a separate console from the SRM and AlphaBIOS consoles. The SRM
and AlphaBIOS firmware reside on the system board. The RCM firmware resides on
the server feature module and can only be accessed through COM 1. The RCM is
run from a serial console terminal or terminal emulator. A command interface lets
you reset, halt, and power the system on or off, regardless of the state of the
operating system or hardware. You can also use RCM to monitor system power and
temperature.
You can invoke the RCM either remotely or through the local serial console
terminal. Once in RCM command mode, you can enter commands to control and
monitor the system. Only one RCM session can be active at a time.
• To connect to the RCM remotely, you dial in through a modem, enter a
password, and then type an escape sequence that invokes RCM command mode.
You must set up the modem before you can dial in remotely.
• To connect to the RCM locally, the console terminal has to be connected to
COM 1 and then you type the escape sequence at the SRM console prompt on
the local serial console terminal to enter RCM mode.
CAUTION: Do not issue RCM commands until the system has powered up. If you
enter certain RCM commands during power-up or reset, the system may hang. In
that case you would have to disconnect the power cord at the power outlet. You can,
however, use the RCM halt command during power-up to force a halt assertion.
Refer to Section 3.12 for information on halt assertion.