topic Re: Itanium console woes in Integrity Servers

Itanium console woes

F P VanSteertegem — Thu, 31 May 2007 16:27:05 GMT

I have an Itanium box set up to use the serial port as the console. The console, however, does not respond to a control-b. This is my first time on an Itanium console, but I'd expect that there should be some way to -- at least -- break in and force a crash. Any insights? Anyone?

Re: Itanium console woes

Scot Bean — Thu, 31 May 2007 17:05:28 GMT

Tell us the model you have.

cntl-B only works when connected to the MP (maintenance processor). There are a lot of ways to setup a console on Itanium.

Some of the serial ports are not MP ports. Most use the 3-way 'dongle' cable.

Re: Itanium console woes

F P VanSteertegem — Thu, 31 May 2007 17:47:12 GMT

It's an rx1620. This particular machine has the db-25 three-way port and a LAN-console port. These ports respond to the ctrl-b and give me the MP menu. However, when I use serial-a as the console, ctrl-b does nothing.

"So use the MP." you say. Alas! Not all our itanium boxes have the LAN-console or the three-way db-25. Some just have the serial port.

Re: Itanium console woes

Steven E. Protter — Thu, 31 May 2007 20:09:17 GMT

Shalom,

It may be a problem with the hardware you are using as a console.

If available, its almost always better to use the LAN console. You can telnet into it from your desk and not spend fun time in the noisy computer room.

You can use procomm through the serial cable to get to the console and ctrl-b using a garden variety laptop with a usb to serial converter. Thats how we do it.

SEP

Re: Itanium console woes

Sameer_Nirmal — Thu, 31 May 2007 20:37:19 GMT

Like Scot said already, key sequence will only work on a console port managed by MP ( Management Processor ). This key sequence is an interrupt which activates the MP Text Interface.

Serial port A is not controller by MP so you won't go anywhere after pressing key sequence.

Take some time to assign points to the replies for your questions. People devote their valuable time to reply questions in here to help others.

Re: Itanium console woes

Olivier Masse — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:24:33 GMT

If you connect on the "console" port instead of the three-way db25 to db9 controller, you will interact directly with the BMC (baseboard management controller) which is much more limited than the MP. I think the MP was an option on the rx1620, if yours doesn't have one you'll have to live with the BMC.

IIRC there is a special control key on the BMC which will do the same as CTRL-B on an MP, but I don't remember exactly what it is, I never used it. Hand out points and some people might be willing to look it up for you.

Re: Itanium console woes

Scot Bean — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:16:48 GMT

Using the 3-way dongle connected to the 25-pin serial port is the way to go.

If not all of your machines have them (all machines should ship with these cables), you will have to order some or configure the LAN console port.

Re: Itanium console woes

Marcel Burggraeve — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 09:56:45 GMT

If memory serves me right the management processor is optional on certain models.
So if you have some Itaniums without the three way DB25 they're most likely ordered with the management processor.