Headless serial redirection through a service processor

• US 20030126226A1
• Filed: 01/02/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ramey, Brian C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,457,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00

Abstract

A method for remotely communicating with a computer system in a headless environment is provided. The system includes a service processor in communication with a computer through a UART communication channel and in communication with a remote console through a communication connection. The service processor manages communication commands between the computer and the remote console. The service processor transmits data communication received from the remote console to the computer through the UART channel, and the service processor transmits data communication received from the computer to the remote console through the UART channel. In addition, a multiplexer may be employed to direct communication between one of a plurality of computers and the service processor in combination with a multiplexer control to select one of the computers for communication with the service processor. The multiplexer directs the communication through the UART channel.

Claims

1. A method for remotely communicating with a computer system operable in a headless environment, comprising:

(a) routing communication from a first partition of the system to a service processor; and

(b) routing communication from said service processor to a remote console.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of routing communication from said first partition to said service processor includes utilizing a UART communication channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of routing communication from said service processor to said remote console includes utilizing an Ethernet connection.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of routing communication from one of a plurality of partitions to said service processor through a multiplexer.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of selecting one of said plurality of partitions for communication between said multiplexer and said service processor through a multiplexer control.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of routing communication from one of said plurality of partitions to said service processor includes utilizing standard UART signals.

7. A computer system operable in a headless environment comprising:

a first partition;

a service processor to manage a communication between said first partition and a remote console; and

a UART communication channel to transfer said communication between said first partition and said service processor.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a multiplexer to direct communication between one of a plurality of partitions and said service processor.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a multiplexer control to select one of said partitions for communication with said service processor.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said multiplexer directs said communication through said UART channel.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein said service processor receives and transmits commands with said remote console through an Ethernet connection.

12. A method for remotely communicating with a computer system operable in a headless environment comprising:

(a) routing communication from a first partition of the system to a multiplexer;

(b) routing communication from a second partition of the system to a multiplexer; and

(c) routing communication from said multiplexer to a remote console.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of routing communication from one of said partitions of the system to the multiplexer includes utilizing a UART communication channel.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of routing communication from said multiplexer to said remote console includes utilizing a UART communication channel.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of selecting one of said partitions for communication from said multiplexer to said remote console through a multiplexer control.

16. A computer system operable in a headless environment, comprising:

a first partition;

a second partition;

a multiplexer to manage a communication between one of said partitions and a remote console; and

a UART communication channel to transfer said communication between one of said partitions and said remote console.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said partitions communicate with said multiplexer through a UART communication channel.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising a multiplexer control to select one of said partitions for communication with said remote console.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein said multiplexer receives and transmits commands with said remote console through an Ethernet connection.