Method and system for computer nodes configured with a plurality of UART channels for serial redirection through with a service processor

• US 7,702,748 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2008
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ramey, Brian C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEYTON, TAMMARA R
• Application Number:
  US12/269,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20090070495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 710 51- 53, 709/217, 709/223, 709218-220
• US Class Current: 709/217
• 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 computer system comprising:

a first partition having at least two computational nodes, with each node configured with a UART channel formatted for headless communication;

a service processor in communication with said first partition, said service processor to provide support and maintenance of said computer system, and said service processor having one UART channel in communication with said first partition and formatted for headless communication;

a first communication routed between said UART channels of said nodes of said first partition and said UART channel of said service processor, including output of said headless UART channels of said computational nodes routed into said one UART channel of said service processor; and

a second communication routed between said service processor and a remote console, including management commands communicated to at least one of said nodes in said first partition through said one UART channel in said service processor from said remote console.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a multiplexer control to direct communication between one of a plurality of partitions and said service processor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said multiplexer control selects one of said partitions for said communication with said service processor.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said multiplexer directs said communication through said channel and said channel is a UART communication port.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said service processor receives and transmits management commands with said remote console through an Ethernet connection, wherein said commands include in-band, out-of-band, and pre-boot modes of operation.

6. A computer system, comprising:

a first partition having at least two computational nodes, with each node configured with a UART channel formatted for headless communication;

a second partition having at least two computational nodes, with each node configured with a UART channel formatted for headless communication;

a multiplexer to manage a communication between one of said partitions and a service processor having one UART channel formatted for headless communication, wherein said service processor provides management commands to said partitions;

a first communication routed between said UART channels of said nodes of said first and second partitions and said UART channel of said service processor through said multiplexer, including output of said headless UART channels of said computational nodes routed into said one UART channel of said service processor; and

a second communication routed between said service processor and a remote console, including management commands communicated to at least one of said nodes in said first partition through said one UART channel in said service processor from said remote console.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a multiplexer control to select one of said partitions for communication with said remote console.