IPMI Overview, Progress and Implementation

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IPMI Overview, Progress and Implementation
Tom Slaight Server Management Architect Enterprise
Server Group Intel Corporation John Graf Server
Management Architect Hewlett-Packard
Company September 16, 1998
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Agenda

• Introduction Overview
• Architecture Implementation
• Whats New for IPMI v1.0
• Summary Call to Action

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Agenda

• Introduction Overview
• Architecture Implementation
• Whats New for IPMI v1.0
• Summary Call to Action

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IPMI Initiative

• Intelligent Platform Management Interface
• IPMI v0.9 announced at Spring 98 Intel Developer
  Forum
• Made available for industry review
• PromotersIntel, Hewlett-Packard, NEC, and Dell
• Owners of the specification, consolidated
  industry review input

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Initiative Status
developer.intel.com/design/servers/ipmi
IPMI v1.0 Announced at Intel Developer Forum
September 16, 1998
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IPMI Initiativev1.0 is Ready to Go

• Adopters
• Sign royalty-free Adopters agreement for
  implementing the IPMI v1.0 specification
• Details on IPMI Web Site

Ready for Adopters! http//developer.intel.com/des
ign/servers/ipmi
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Initiative StatusAdopter News!

• IPMI Adopters - 9/16/98

• Reliance Computer Corp.
• Seanix
• Siemens Nixdorf Informations systeme AG
• Serano Systems Corp.
• Silicon Design Resources
• Texas Micro Corp.
• Toshiba Corp.
• Phoenix Technologies Ltd.

• Acer Inc.
• American Megatrends Inc.
• Bull S.A.
• InterWorks Computer Products
• Ipex ITG
• Mitsubishi Electronics PC Division
• Olivetti Worldwide Computer Corp.

Third-party marks and brands are the property
of their respective owners.
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IPMI OriginsServer Focus

• Keep it Running!
• RAS Features Focus
• Reliability
• Availability
• Serviceability
• Server Environment
• Remote administrator
• Expensive hardware
• High cost for downtime and repair

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Server Environment

• More extensive monitoring, control, and automatic
  recovery features
• Need for Always Accessible management
• Complex system topologies
• Multiple internal boards, external peripheral
  chassis, modular rack mount systems
• Multi-OS support

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The IPMI Challenge
Todays solutions stacks work -
S/W
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IPMI StrategySpecify the interface

• Intelligent
• Platform
• Management
• Interface

• Defines a standardized, abstracted, message-based
  interface to intelligent platform management
  hardware
• Defines standardized records for describing
  platform management devices and their
  characteristics

Gateway to Server-class RAS Features
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IPMI StrategyWhere it fits...
STANDARD I/F (e.g. RPC, SNMP)
In-band Remote Access
Management Applications
Management S/W Standards
STANDARD I/F (e.g. DMI-MI, CIM)
Service Provider
STANDARD I/F (e.g. DMI-CI, WMI)
SP Interface
Instrumentation Code
IPMI I/F Code
IPMI H/W I/F
IPMI
Platform Mgmt. Controller
Complements existing management standards
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The IPMI Solution
Common hardware interfaces and abstraction
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IPMI Benefits

• System
• OEM
• Software
• Hardware

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IPMI BenefitsSystem

• Provides the foundation forIntelligent Platform
  Management
• Autonomous access, monitoring, logging, and
  control features that function independently from
  the system processors, software, and OS
• Provides scalable support for entry to high-end
  systems
• Supports multi-chassis and modular configurations

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IPMI BenefitsOEM

• Supports OEM differentiation
• Codes, events, and sensor types reserved for OEM
  use.
• Supports chassis feature integration without
  baseboard modifications
• Provides a common platform mgmt. configuration
  interface
• no need to touch BIOS FLASH
• no need for platform-specific utilities

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IPMI BenefitsSoftware

• Speeds instrumentation software porting
• Makes platform management features
  self-descriptive (Plug N Play). Software
  automatically configures to platform management
  hardware
• Isolates mgmt. S/W from H/W changes
• Enables cross-platform software
• Standardized platform hardware interface enables
  mgmt. software and driver to work on multiple
  platforms.
• Can be used with any mgmt. S/W stack
• Designed for simple mapping to WMI/CIM
• Supports localization

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IPMI BenefitsHardware

• Preserves ability to innovate hardware
• Provides standardized interfaces for extending
  management features
• IPMB - for intra-chassis extensions and
  standardized Emergency Management Card Access
• ICMB - for inter-chassis extensions
• Facilitates out-of-band secondary access
• Message based interface supports bridging to
  secondary management interfaces - NIC, RS-232,
  etc.
• Uses off-the-shelf components

Standardizes the interface, not the
implementation
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Agenda

• Introduction Overview
• Architecture Implementation
• Whats New for IPMI v1.0
• Summary Call to Action

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IPMI ArchitectureKey Elements

• IPMI Messaging Command Sets
• Sensor Data Records
• Event Messages
• Baseboard Mgmt. Controller
• System Interface
• Non-volatile Storage
• Intelligent Platform Mgmt. Bus
• Intelligent Chassis Mgmt. Bus
• An example HP TopTools
• An example Intel Server Control

Abstraction
Hardware
Software
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IPMI AbstractionMessaging Command Sets

• All IPMI operations are accomplished by sending
  messages to the management controllers
• Standardized commands defined in the IPMI
  specification
• All messages use a Request / Response Protocol
• Facilitates delivery over multiple transports
  system interface, IPMB, ICMB, etc.

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IPMI AbstractionMessaging Command Sets

• IPMI Commands grouped by functionality
• Supports modular firmware development
• Sensor and Event commands
• Application commands for controller specific
  functionality
• Chassis commands for chassis control status
• Storage commands for non-volatile storage access
• Bridge commands
• Firmware Transfer commands
• OEM commands

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IPMI AbstractionSDRs

• Describe the population of sensors
• Location, ID, and access method
• Type (temp, voltage, processor, etc.), unit of
  measurement (volts, amps, bytes/sec, etc.),
  reading type (digital/discrete/analog) and
  threshold support
• Guide software in presenting sensor information
• normal reading ranges, sensor accuracy and
  tolerance
• sensor id string
• Identify the entity and/or FRU associated with
  each sensor
• Direct the sensor initialization process
• Initialization of Event Generation, Thresholds,
  Hysterisis, and/or Event Scanning

SensorDataRecords
Key to Plug N Play Management
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IPMI AbstractionEvent Messages

• EventMessages

• Standardized content - Event Messages Encapsulate
  Key Event Info
• Sensor Type, Event Type, Event Transition,
  Event Generator
• Combine with SDR info for richer event analysis
• Allow application to identify Entity and FRU
  associated with event
• Sensor short ID String
• etc.

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IPMI H/W Elements

• Baseboard Mgmt. Controller
• System Interface
• Non-volatile Storage

Baseboard
Baseboard Mgmt. Controller
- System Event Log - SDR Repository - Baseboard
FRU Info
Monitoring control circuitry
System Interface
System Bus
IPMI Messages
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IPMI H/W ElementsBMC

• BaseboardManagementController

• Management Micro-controller provides the
  Intelligence for IPMI
• Autonomous monitoring and logging
• Interface to IPMI Storage
• Receives and logs event messages
• System interface to IPMB / I2C
• System Watchdog Timer
• Optional power control functions.
• Plus OEM value added mgmt. features

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IPMI H/W ElementsSystem Interface
3 styles of I/O Mapped interface

• KeyboardControllerStyle

• Classic 8742 Interface
• Available built-in to micros

ServerManagementInterfaceChip

• Simple 3 I/O port, byte based interface
• Implementable using FPGA or discrete logic

NEW
BlockTransfer

• Simple 3 I/O port, block based interface
• Implementable using FPGA or discrete logic

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IPMI H/W ElementsNon-volatile Storage

• SystemEventLog

• Centralized non-volatile storage for time-stamped
  Event Messages
• Compact 16-byte Event Records include provision
  for OEM event types and fields
• Message format tied to Sensor representation and
  access

SDR Repository

• Centralized NV-storage for Sensor Data Records

FRU Devices

• Distributed non-volatile storage for FRU
  Information

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IPMI H/W Elements

• IPMB - Intelligent Platform Management Bus
• Private Management Busses

Front Panel
FRU SEEPROM
RAID Backplane
Aux. IPMB
IPMB
Baseboard
Chassis Mgmt. Controller
SEL, SDR, FRU
Baseboard Mgmt. Controller
Monitoring control circuitry
Private Mgmt. Bus
Chassis Sensors
System Interface
Memory Card
FRU SEEPROM
FRU SEEPROM
System Bus
IPMI Messages
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IPMI H/W ElementsIPMB

• Standardized bus and protocol for extending
  management control, monitoring, and event
  delivery within the chassis.
• Provides integration point for chassis mgmt.
  features
• Offers standardized connection for emergency
  management cards
• Multi-master I2C-based bus
• Simple request/response protocol
• Uses IPMI Command sets
• Supports non-IPMI devices

IntelligentPlatformManagementBus
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IPMI H/W ElementsPrivate Management Busses

• I2C-based, single master busses accessed via
  management controller
• Used primarily for IPMI FRU SEEPROMs
• Available for value added I2C devices - outside
  IPMI context
• Shareable with hidden I2C devices owned by the
  management controller
• Accessed via Master Write-Read I2C command
• Other I2C busses may be present - but these
  arent IPMI Private Busses unless command
  access is provided

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IPMI SoftwareExample HP TopTools

• HP TopTools
• Web-based management application for HPs
  NetServers, Kayak workstations, and Vectra
  desktop clients
• Data exposed to Java applications through a
  combination of DMI and SNMP
• NetServer agents have standardized on IPMI for
  hardware event log, sensors, and OS watchdog
• Third-party marks and brands are the property
  of their respective owners.

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IPMI SoftwareExample Intel Server Control

• Intel Server Control
• IPMI-based instrumentation software for Intels
  server board sets
• Automatically integrates additional chassis
  sensors
• fans, temperatures, voltages, chassis intrusion,
  and power supplies
• Also uses non-IPMI interfaces, such as SM BIOS

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IPMI SpecificationsTie it all together...

• IPMI - Intelligent Platform Management Interface
• BMC and satellite management controller functions
• Command set specifications
• Sensor Data Record and Event Log data formats
• IPMB - Intelligent Platform Management Bus
  Protocol
• Transport protocol, timing, electrical
  specifications, and connectors for the IPMB
• Plus supporting specifications...

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IPMI Specificationsv1.0 supporting documentation

• FRU Inventory Format specification
• Comprises product, board, chassis, power supply,
  and OEM FRU information
• IPMB Address allocation
• specifies the allocation of I2C addresses for
  devices that connect to the IPMB
• Platform Event Trap Format Specification
• specifies a common format for asynchronous SNMPv1
  traps generated by platform events

http//developer.intel.com/design/servers/ipmi
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Development Support

• Developer information
• IPMI Implementers Guide
• IPMI FAQ
• Development test tools
• Hardware development aids
• I2C Bus interfaces, monitors, s/w
• Micro Computer Control Corporation
• Calibre UK Ltd
• More to come
• Third-party marks and brands are the property
  of their respective owners.

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Agenda

• Introduction Overview
• Architecture Implementation
• Whats New for IPMI v1.0
• Summary Call to Action

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Whats New in IPMI v1.0Highlights

• Block Transfer interface
• System Interface interrupts
• Deassertion event status
• Improved command consistency
• Optional POH (power on hour) Counter

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Whats New in IPMI v1.0Highlights

• Improved identification of Management Controllers
• Manufacturer ID based on IANA Enterprise ID
• Optional controller GUID
• Modal SDR Repository support
• Supports incorporation SDRs in FLASH

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Whats New in IPMI v1.0Highlights

• New FRU Record Types
• Power Supply Information
• input voltage ranges, wattage, input current,
  fan/predictive-fail support, etc.
• DC Output
• power delivery capabilities of individual PS
  outputs
• Power Consumption
• DC loading records that match DC Output records
• Management Access Record
• stores alternate access paths for peripheral and
  systems

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Whats New in IPMI v1.0

• Entity Association records
• Standardized Watchdog Timer
• Assignable sensor types
• New sensor event types

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Entity Association Records

• Identifies relationship between physical and/or
  logical entities
• Single bit defines entity as logical or physical
  entity. e.g. processor or processor group.
• Links to FRU information
• Supports multiple mappings
• physical - to - physical, logical - to -
  physical,logical - to - logical, nested
• Can be used to populate CIM associations

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Entity AssociationSimple Entity - to - FRU
Association

• presence sensor for memory module

Sensor Record
FRU Locator Record
presence sensor
memory module 1
FRU device
Entity ID
memory module 1
FRU address
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Entity Association RecordsExample 1

• voltage sensor for processor pair

Sensor Record
Entity Association Record
voltage sensor
processor group 1
Entity ID
processor 1
processor group 1
processor 2
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Entity Association RecordsExample 2

• power unit redundancy sensor

FRU Locator
FRU Locator
Sensor Record
Entity Association Record
FRU Locator
power supply 3
power supply 2
power supply 1
Sensor Type
redundancy sensor
power unit 1
FRU device
Entity ID
power supply 1
FRU address
power unit 1
power supply 2
power supply 3
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Watchdog Timer

• Specified to generate selectable actions on
  timeout
• Reset
• Power Cycle
• Power Off
• Interrupt NMI, SMI, or IRQ
• Maintains identity of timer use
• BIOS, FRB/ASR, OS, OEM
• Automatically logs timeout action and use
• Provides common platform mgmt. access for
  Emergency Mgmt. Cards

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Assignable Sensor Types

• Supports the creation of generic management
  controllers
• Sensor Type assigned at initialization
• Works with discrete and threshold-based analog
  sensors
• Supports mix of Pre-defined and Generic sensors
  in system
• Leaves SDR Repository and Event Logging functions
  decoupled

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Assignable Sensor Types
BMC
Generic Controller 1
Initialization Agent assigns Sensor Type
Init Agent
IPMB
5 voltage
Event Rcvr.
analog sensor 12
SDRRepository
Later event msg. carries valuable standalone conte
nt
SEL
controller 1 sensor 12
5 voltage
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New Sensor Event Types

• Security status
• Physical Security
• extension of chassis intrusion includes
• drive bay I/O bay intrusion
• LAN Leash and unauthorized dock/undock
• Platform Security Violation Attempt
• pre-boot out-of-band password violation
• Slot / Connector
• interlock, fault, presence, and power status for
  hot-plug slot support

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New Sensor Event Types

• System ACPI Power State
• for out-of-band reporting of ACPI state
• Platform Alert
• for platform generated alerts, e.g. LAN alerts
  and telephone pages
• Entity Presence Sensor
• for auto-configuration support
• Plus
• LAN, Monitor ASIC, Boot Pre-boot Events, Boot
  and OS-Load Errors

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Agenda

• Introduction Overview
• Architecture Implementation
• Whats New for IPMI v1.0
• Summary Call to Action

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Summary

• IPMI provides the foundation for Intelligent
  Platform Management
• Provides Plug N Play platform management
• Preserves differentiation
• Implemented with off-the-shelf components
• IPMI v1.0 is ready to go
• Stay tuned ... more to come!

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Call to Action

• Get the specs
• Become an IPMI 1.0 Adopter
• Deploy IPMI v1.0 in your server products

IPMI
developer.intel.com/design/servers/ipmi