HP ProLiant xw460c User Manual

HP BIOS Serial Console

User Guide

July 2004 (First Edition)

Part Number 372432-001

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HP BIOS Serial Console User Guide July 2004 (First Edition) Part Number 372432-001

Audience Assumptions

This document is for the person who installs, administers, and troubleshoots servers and storage systems. HP assumes you are qualified in the servicing of computer equipment and trained in recognizing hazards in products with hazardous energy levels.

Console Redirection Overview 5

Purpose.................................................................................................................................................5

Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 5

BIOS Serial Console Overview................................................................................................ 6

EMS Support Overview............................................................................................................6

Initialization .........................................................................................................................................6

Connectivity.........................................................................................................................................6

Console Redirection Features ..............................................................................................................6

HP BIOS Serial Console/EMS Support Settings and Configuration 9

RBSU and BIOS Serial Console Configuration................................................................................... 9

Virtual Serial Port...................................................................................................................10

Terminal Emulation Support ..................................................................................................11

Baud Rate ...............................................................................................................................14

Port Settings............................................................................................................................14

Keystroke Emulation..........................................................................................................................15

Escape Sequences ..............................................................................................................................15

Character Translations in VT100 Mode.............................................................................................17

Operating System Support .................................................................................................................17

Emergency Management Services..................................................................................................... 18

Linux Red Hat 7 Serial Console Settings...........................................................................................19

Linux Red Hat 7 ATA Driver Settings ...................................................................................20

Linux Red Hat 7 NIC Driver Settings ....................................................................................20

Linux Red Hat 7 Services Configuration................................................................................20

Terminal Emulation Programs 20

Microsoft HyperTerminal Setup ........................................................................................................21

Acronyms and Abbreviations 29

Index 33

Console Redirection Overview

In This Section

Purpose ...........................................................................................................................................5

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................5

Initialization....................................................................................................................................6

Connectivity ...................................................................................................................................6

Console Redirection Features.........................................................................................................6

Purpose

The purpose of console redirection is to provide the capability to remotely manage a server in a headless environment. Through BIOS Serial Console redirection, you can see POST messages, navigate option ROM (such as ORCA) setup menus, and use RBSU through a serial connection to the server COM port. The local keyboard and monitor are no longer required to set up or configure the system. The remote server setup and configuration can also be performed remotely through the terminal server, iLO Management Processor, or RILOE board. Some OSs support console redirection as well.

Introduction

Two separate technologies enable console redirection. The first, BIOS Serial Console, is the focus of this document and can be enabled in the ROM. The other is console redirection through the OS, such as EMS support, and requires OS support and ROM support.

IMPORTANT: For documentation purposes, the local server refers to the one that you are remotely configuring. Though this local server does not require a keyboard and monitor, you will need a keyboard and monitor on the system you are using to enter BIOS Serial Console commands.

NOTE: This document is designed to provide information for BIOS Serial Console on any compatible server. It is generic in nature and therefore may contain options that are not valid on all servers.

6 HP BIOS Serial Console User Guide

BIOS Serial Console Overview

BIOS Serial Console can be enabled in RBSU. By default, BIOS Serial Console is disabled.

EMS Support Overview

EMS support is a Microsoft® feature for the Windows® Server 2003 OS, which is enabled by default in the OS, but which also must be enabled in the system ROM. By default, EMS support is disabled for ML and DL servers, and is enabled for BL servers.

Refer to "Operating System Support (on page 17 using supported OSs.

Initialization

BIOS Serial Console initialization occurs during power-up or system reset, before the first message is displayed on the screen.

Connectivity

A null modem cable should be connected to one of the serial ports on the server for console redirection. Be sure to connect the cable to the serial port that corresponds to the correct COM port on which BIOS Serial Console is enabled. The default COM port is COM 1 for systems with BIOS Serial Console enabled by default. This setup can be configured in RBSU.

Refer to "RBSU and BIOS Serial Console Configuration (on page 9 port settings.

Console Redirection Features

)" for more information about

)" for COM

The following console redirection features are discussed in further detail in "HP BIOS Serial Console/EMS Support Settings and Configuration (on page 9

)":

Console Redirection Overview 7

• RBSU and BIOS Serial Console Configuration (on page 9)

− Terminal Emulation Support (on page 11)

− Baud Rate (on page 14

)

− Port Settings (on page 14)

• Keystroke Emulation (on page 15)

− Escape Sequences (on page 15)

− Character Translation in VT100 Mode ("Keystroke Emulation" on page

)

• Operating System Support (on page 17

)

− Emergency Management Services (on page 18)

− Linux Red Hat ("Linux Red Hat 7 Serial Console Settings" on page 19)

• Terminal Emulation Programs (on page 20)

− Microsoft® HyperTerminal ("Microsoft HyperTerminal Setup" on page

)

HP BIOS Serial Console/EMS Support Settings and Configuration

In This Section

RBSU and BIOS Serial Console Configuration .............................................................................9

Keystroke Emulation ....................................................................................................................15

Escape Sequences.........................................................................................................................15

Character Translations in VT100 Mode .......................................................................................17

Operating System Support............................................................................................................17

Emergency Management Services................................................................................................18

Linux Red Hat 7 Serial Console Settings .....................................................................................19

RBSU and BIOS Serial Console Configuration

BIOS Serial Console supports console redirection of POST error messages and configuration utilities and is disabled in the ROM by default. EMS support is enabled in the OS by default, but also requires system ROM support. This section takes you through RBSU configuration, basic OS initialization, and terminal emulation for console redirection.

NOTE: On some newer servers, the BIOS Serial Console default will be AUTO instead of disabled. During the boot process, the server will check for the presence of a VT100 compatible client running at 9600 Baud connected to the server and automatically will enable the BIOS Serial Console for that boot if one is found. This eliminates the need to run RBSU with a local keyboard and monitor attached to enable the BIOS Serial Console feature.

RBSU displays and modifies the system configuration settings of a server. The figures in this section show settings for BIOS Serial Console options on the RBSU menu. Except for the following figure, these screens are shown with ANSI emulation.

Press the Enter key while BIOS Serial Console is selected on the RBSU main menu to display the options.

10 HP BIOS Serial Console User Guide

IMPORTANT: Settings take effect on the next RBSU-prompted reboot,

but you must disconnect and then reconnect for new settings to take effect on both local and remote machines.

Virtual Serial Port

When enabled, Virtual Serial Port provides remote access through the iLO management controller to BIOS Serial Console.

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