Users Guide

64 Terminal Mode Commands
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Syntax
Terminal mode messages follow the general syntax below:
[<message data>]<newline sequence>
Each terminal mode message must be preceded with the left bracket "start” character and must be
ended with a right bracket “stop” character and the appropriate input new-line sequence.
No input characters are accepted until the start character has been received.
NOTE: Hex-ASCII commands can either use upper or lower-case letters for ASCII representations of
hex digits.
Command Length
Terminal mode messages are limited to a maximum length of 122 characters. This includes the
left- and right-brackets, but not control characters.
Character Support
Terminal mode messages are composed of standard printable ASCII characters. All other characters
are treated as illegal characters.
Special Character Handling — <ESC> character
The <ESC> character deletes an entire message prior to submission to the BMC for processing. If
line editing is enabled, and the <ESC> key is followed by an input newline sequence, the BMC
responds by outputting an output newline sequence. Otherwise, the BMC looks for the next start
character.
Special Character Handling — <DEL> or <BKSP> character
The <BKSP> or <DEL> key deletes the last character entered if the message has not been
submitted to the BMC yet.
Special Character Handling — Line Continuation character
Long IPMI messages can be split across multiple lines by using the line continuation
<BACKSLASH> character followed immediately by an input newline sequence. Line
continuation character usage is supported for both text and hex-ASCII commands.
Special Character Handling — Illegal characters
Any illegal characters received by the BMC clear the message in progress and the BMC looks for the
next start character.