HP Xw460c - ProLiant - Blade Workstation 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.

3
Contents
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

5
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.
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.
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.

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)" for more information about
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)" for COM
port settings.
Console Redirection Features
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
15)
• 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
21)

9
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.