3 Special Administration Console
Special Administration Console (SAC) is the primary Emergency Management Services (EMS)
command-line environment hosted by Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2. It is
separate from the command-line environment and provides different functionality.
SAC runs on top of the EMS. The SAC prompt provides a basic set of commands to manage the
setup, installation, and repair of the operating system. Use these commands to examine logs, shut
down or reboot, kill processes, change process priority, and set network parameters. Access the
SAC prompt through the Integrity iLo console menu.
The connection for the SAC is directly into the kernel and is not dependent on the health of any
user code or of any device driver. This means you have more tools available to repair an unhealthy
system that might be unresponsive from the GUI. This direct-to-kernel path is similar to the kernel
debugger and is always available.
From the SAC prompt, you can create and use a standard Windows command line. During setup,
the SAC also automatically starts three setup channels so you can monitor installation progress. A
subset of commands is available for use when the system is in distress. This is known as the !SAC
prompt. This change from SAC to !SAC mode is automatic.
The SAC and !SAC prompts are primarily used for setup or to bring a distressed system back to
health so that you can use in-band tools such as Remote Desktop.
Because SAC is available early in the boot process, you can use it to manage the server during
normal system operation and initiation. You can also use it when the system is in safe mode and
during GUI-mode setup. When EMS is enabled, SAC remains active as long as the kernel is running.
Access SAC through the MP.
When a server is running normally, you can connect to it over the network and administer it using
the following tools:
Windows Management
Instrumentation (WMI)
A management infrastructure in Windows that supports
monitoring and controlling system resources through a
common set of interfaces. WMI provides a logically
organized, consistent model of Windows operation,
configuration, and status.
Terminal Services Remote Desktop
for Administration
The underlying technology that enables Remote Desktop,
Remote Assistance, and Terminal Server.
Microsoft Management Console
(MMC)
A framework for hosting administrative tools called snap-ins.
A console can contain tools, folders or other containers,
World Wide Web pages, and other administrative items.
Telnet
A protocol that enables Internet users to log in to and enter
commands on a headless computer linked to the Internet,
as if you were using a text-based terminal directly attached
to that computer. Telnet is part of the TCP/IP suite of
protocols. The term telnet also refers to the software (client
or server component) that implements this protocol.
In addition, you can also use Microsoft Script Host and other third-party tools.
When a server is not functioning normally, you need to access the server without relying on the
network. You must establish a secure connection through a phone line or serial port, or through
an additional network connection (possibly on a secondary network).
For servers equipped with the proper firmware, EMS provides functionality that you can use to
administer a server using a headless console. Except for hardware maintenance and replacement,
all administrative functions that you can accomplish using the GUI console are also available using
the headless console. This includes starting the system and performing system-recovery tasks.
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