Server System Overview
In a server system, BMC (on-board to host server system) is an independent system of host server system. This independent
system has its own processor and memory; the host system can be managed by this BMC system even if host hardware or OS
hang or went down. BMC plays a key role to communicate between physical hardware and System Management Software
(SMS). SMS can get system event log, sensor status and some other system information via BMC. It also can power off or
power cycle the system when critical event occurs.
BMC functionality of S99K 2U is responsible for acting as an interface or gateway between the host system (i.e. server
management software) and the periphery devices.
Below is a concept block diagram of BMC in a general server platform.
BMC Hardware Architecture Overview
Each of these periphery devices, including the BMC, has various environment sensors and controls that are made available to
the server management software via the IPMI interface protocol. For periphery devices that do not support the IPMI
specification, the BMC acts as liaison hiding these periphery devices yet providing the sensor data and controls to the host as
if said sensors and controls were integrated as part of the BMC.
Chapter 4 — BMC
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