Datasheet

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Figure 6-2: Illustration of RKVMS Functionality

Lights Out Management (LOM)

Lights Out Management is performed on the Sun Fire X4100 M2 and X4200 M2 servers through IPMItool, a command-line utility for

controlling IPMI-enabled devices.

Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI)

Platform management refers to the autonomous monitoring, logging, recovery, and inventory control features implemented in hard-

ware and firmware. The key differentiator of Intelligent Platform Management is that these functions are independent of the main

CPU, BIOS, and OS. There are two major components of platform management: the Service Processor (or BMC) and System Manage-

ment Software (SMS). Intelligent Platform Management capabilities are a key component in providing enterprise-class management

for high-availability systems. Platform status information can be obtained and recovery actions initiated under situations where sys-

tem management software and normal in-band management mechanisms are unavailable.

The Service Processor is the brain behind platform management and its primary purpose is to provide autonomous sensor monitor-

ing and event logging features. Typical sensor-related events are out-of-range temperature or voltage and fan failure. When an event

occurs, it is noted in the system event log and made available to SMS. The Service Processor is powered by the power supply stand-

by voltage and will function even when the server is powered down or the operating system has crashed. This allows platform status

to be obtained and recovery initiated under situations in which in-band delivery mechanisms are unavailable. In modern systems,

the Intelligent Platform Management Interface provides a hardware-level interface specification for monitoring and control func-

tions. It defines a standard, abstract, message-based interface between the BMC and SMS and a common set of commands for opera-

tions such as accessing sensor values, setting thresholds, logging events, and controlling a watchdog timer. IPMI messages can be

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