Users Guide

Known Issues and Frequently Asked Questions 73
Q: I performed a Reboot and Activate Console Redirection command using SOL Proxy, but the option
to press <F2> to enter the BIOS setup never appeared.
A: When the network switch has spanning-tree enabled, it takes as much as 30 to 40 seconds for the
spanning-tree check to make sure there are no loops in the network. During this time, packet forwarding
by the switch is blocked. Therefore, the software cannot communicate with the BMC until the spanning
tree check is complete. When the spanning tree feature is enabled on a edge-port or port fast router, the
network link can be broken for periods of time in excess of 30 seconds while the router analyzes the
network. This situation can be identified partially when the link light is off. IPMISH commands can
timeout during this process. Disable spanning-tree on the port fast router or enable the Spanning Tree
Fast option and try performing a Reboot and Activate Console Redirection command using SOL Proxy
again. You should now be able to enter BIOS setup by pressing <F2>.
Q: Why do I see a connection time-out error message when I perform the Power Reset command using
the IPMISH command line tool?
A: The spanning-tree feature described in the previous Q&A can cause problems during power
management as well. Use the solution above to help assure that power reset and other power
management commands can function without network timeouts.
Q: Why do some key and key combinations, such as <F10> and <Ctrl><Alt><Del>, not work
during console redirection?
A: Console redirection uses ANSI or VT 100/220 terminal emulation, which is limited to basic ASCII
characters. Function keys, arrow keys, and control keys are not available in the ASCII character set, and
most utilities require function keys and control keys for ordinary operations. See "Escape Key Sequences"
for more information on the same.
Q: Can you use terminal mode simultaneously with BIOS console redirection?
A: Yes. BMC terminal mode can function simultaneously with BIOS console redirection. You can escape
between the BMC’s terminal mode and the BIOS console redirection using the following
Escape sequences:
Press <Esc><q> to switch the system serial port to the BIOS console redirection text stream.
Press <Esc><(> to switch the system serial port to the BMC terminal mode text stream.
NOTE: Because you are switching back and forth between two independently active text streams, data
may be lost.
See your system User’s Guide for more information about configuring and using BIOS console
redirection and see "Terminal Mode Commands" for more information about using Terminal
Mode commands.