Intel MPCBL0010 manual Theory of Operation, Architectural Components, Serial Over LAN

Serial Over LAN (SOL)—MPCBL0010 SBC

of serial data to and from network packets, and the transmission and reception of SOL network packets through the Ethernet controller sideband interface port.

11.2.2Architectural Components

11.2.2.1IPMC

As shown in the block diagram in Figure 27, the IPMI controller on the blade provides a UART interface to the blade’s serial port (COM1). This interface is used by the IPMC firmware to write data to the blade’s serial port or to receive the blade’s serial port data written by the BIOS or the operating system. The serial port can be connected to either the IPMI controller or to RJ-45 connector(s) on the front panel or rear transition module. Switching the serial port between the front panel/rear transition module and the IPMC UART port is controlled by the IPMC firmware.

The IPMC also provides a dedicated SMBus connection to the Ethernet controller, whose ports are connected to the base Ethernet interface.

The Keyboard Controller Style (KCS) interface is used for interaction between the IPMC firmware and software executing on the OS (for example, OpenIPMI or OpenHPI) by sending/receiving IPMI messages, and does not play a role during SOL communication. The KCS interface, however, can be used for SOL-related IPMC configuration, as described below.

11.2.2.2Ethernet Controller

The Ethernet controller provides an advanced pass-through mode of operation where the controller allows the on-board IPMC to communicate over the Ethernet ports using a sideband interface port.

The Ethernet controller is available with standby (management) power, so that it is possible to view the initial serial port data written by the BIOS or the OS.

11.3Theory of Operation

11.3.1Front Panel Serial Port or Rear Transition Module

By default, the serial console is connected to the serial port connector(s) on the front panel and rear transition module (if available).

If serial cables are connected to both the front panel and the rear transition module connectors, both connections will be active. However, only one user is allowed to use the serial session.

11.3.2Serial Over LAN

The IPMC firmware is pre-configured at manufacturing time with default serial port settings (baud rate, parity bits, data bits, stop bits, flow control), user name and password for RMCP+ sessions. The SOL feature, however, is disabled by default.

The IP address to be used by IPMC can be configured during initial setup of the blade in the system.

The IP address, once configured by the reference script provided, is stored in a non- volatile memory and is persistent across IPMC update and payload resets. The IP addresses are assigned to the IPMC independently of the host (OS) IP addresses and they need not match. The IP addresses used by the OS are not visible to the IPMC.

	Intel NetStructure® MPCBL0010 Single Board Computer
October 2006	Technical Product Specification
Order Number: 304120	147