Artesyn ATCA-7365-CE Installation and Use (May 2014) - Manual (Page 148)

Functional Description
ATCA-7365-CE Installation and Use (6806800L73J) 148
5.10 BIOS
ATCA-7365-CE provides a BIOS firmware that is stored in flash memory. It can be updated
remotely via Ethernet or locally via operating system. Along with the BIOS and BIOS Setup
program, the flash memory contains POST and Plug and Play support.
The BIOS displays a message during POST identifying the type of BIOS and a revision code.
A BIOS extension is provided for the RTM based SAS controller to support RAID configuration.
5.11 IPMC
The Blade features an Intelligent Platform Management Controller (IPMC) compliant to PICMG
3.0 and IPMI 1.5 and 2.0 (SOL only). The IPMC is a management subsystem providing
monitoring, event logging, and recovery control. The IPMC serves as the gateway for
management applications to access the payload hardware.
The IPMC firmware (FW) is stored in two independent memory images. Crisis recovery control
is provided to allow reboot of the IPMC from a 2nd image if the upgraded FW image is
corrupted. FW images can be upgraded via HPM.1/IPMI using either IPMB or KCS interface.
The IPMC supports the initiation of a graceful shutdown of the host CPU. The IPMC can force
the CPU to reset.It also controls the power and reset of the payload. As part of the power
control logic circuitry is provided that controls the correct power-up and power-down
sequencing of all payload specific power domains to prevent latch-up and damage of devices.
The IPMC provides a watchdog that supervises the payload. If enabled, the payload software
needs to retrigger the Watchdog to prevent a time-out. A watchdog time-out can generate a
NMI, a payload reset or disabling/cycling of the payload power. The watchdog settings,
including enable/disable, can be changed by payload software (setup menu). Time-out values
can be selected from as short as seconds to as long as minutes.
The IPMC is supervised by a separate hardware Watchdog, which can not be disabled. IPMC FW
retriggers the Watchdog timer.
The IPMC monitors the Port 80 POST codes generated by the payload CPU. The IPMC is
connected to various sensors on the Blade that provide temperature sensor readings at all
major devices and voltage sensor readings of all major voltages. The IPMC monitors reset
events caused by devices like Watchdog, IPMI command, and reset button.