What is L.O.M.?
Lights Out Management (LOM) is a management tool used by high-end hardware manufacturers to give low-level, hardware-based access to the console of a running computer system without having to be in the room with it. How is this useful?
If you are faced with a failing piece of hardware and it is local to you, you can simply go to the hardware, view the console screen and see if there is any indication of what the problem may be. If you can't make the operating system reply, you can reboot into the hardware monitor (firmware, or BIOS) and watch the startup sequence for clues.
If you are NOT in the same room with the failing hardware, you most likely rely on remote access tools, such as LogMeIn, GoToMyPC, VNC or Remote Desktop. But all of these systems require a running operating system in good enough shape to support the network stack, the user interface and the graphics system. If you have a dreaded BSOD (Blue Screen of Death), you won't see it from any of these tools. You will, however, see if from an LOM system!
Retrofitting LOM
How do you get an LOM? In the past, LOM was standard on large systems that cost $10,000.00 or more. Lately, Intel has been advertising a new, built-in LOM system on their small-business motherboards. This is not found on desktop-type motherboards (ones that are equipped with Core2 and i-series processors), but is found on the higher-end, server-class hardware, such as those that are designed to be populated with Xeon processors. This has, effectively, brought LOM into the small and medium business marketplace for new hardware purchases.
But, what about all that hardware that is standing around in network closets and computer rooms, now? Is there any way to add LOM to these computers without having to "forklift upgrade" them?
There is!
If you are within ethernet distance (100m/303ft or 2km over fiber), you can use various IP-based KVM switches to show you the console of any connected computer. Right here in Huntsville, Avocent designs and manufactures small, medium and large KVM solutions that fill this bill nicely. They provide serial connectivity that can be accessed through telnet-like sessions, remote view of console graphics and even full keyboard and mouse interaction with a remote console.
It just seems a matter of time that someone will add to this capability with a plug-in remote console monitor with LOM capability (including power off/on switching) to be added as an external module that will be used to enable this technology on hardware lacking this capability.
C'mon. Let's get on it!
