IBM Token-Ring PCI Family Adapter User's Guide

Appendix B. About Alert on LAN

Alert on LAN is an architecture that provides system monitoring in all power states (On, Sleep, Off) and has the ability to send alerts or status to a remote management console via the LAN in any of these states. From a system perspective, the required components of Alert on LAN are a network connected PC, motherboard monitoring capabilities on the PC, and a remote management console. The IBM 16/4 Token-Ring PCI Adapter 2 with Wake on LAN provides the network connection for the PC and will interface to the PC monitoring subsystem on the motherboard. The adapter also functions as a normal adapter for the PC.

Features

Alert on LAN monitors environmental, security and software functions of the client PC. These functions include the following:

• Environment
  • Power supply voltage problem SOS alert in Full on and Sleep states
  • Temperature out of range SOS alert in Full on and Sleep states
• Security
  • Chassis intrusion alert: A switch on the cover generates an event when the cover is removed.
  • Processor missing alert: When the CPU is unplugged from its socket, an alert event is generated.
  • Presence detection via programmable client heartbeat: The client is periodically polled by the server to determine its presence.
  • Network disconnect event capture: When the LAN cable is removed from the PC, an alert event is generated.
• Software
  • Remote OS hang/System crash SOS alert
  • Remote NMI SOS alert
  • Remote ECC double bit error SOS alert
  • Wake On LAN successful indication message
  • Power on self test (POST) hang via watchdog timer
  • Remote reporting of POST error codes
  • PreBoot Execution Environment with LSA/RPL
  • Reports status to remote management server irrespective of CPU state
  • Reports status in periodic heartbeat alert (Full On, Sleep, Off)

Alert on LAN enables systems management in the following ways:

• When a computer is physically connected to the network but is powered off, Alert on LAN aids in protecting systems from theft and tampering by
  • Monitoring the physical presence of a system through a programmable heartbeat. If this heartbeat stops, it can serve to alert administrators of disconnection of a computer from the network.
  • Monitoring for unauthorized tampering of the computer. If the chassis cover is removed, a cover tamper alert is generated, helping reduce loss of vital components such as memory, CPU, or hard drive.
  • Monitoring disconnection or reconnection of the network cable. For example, if someone disconnects a computer from the network to move it to a new location, when the computer is reconnected, an alert is generated. It can also help track when mobile systems are installed.
• During the automated installation of an operating system on a new system or off-hours maintenance of an existing system, Alert on LAN can notify the remote administrator of hardware and software failures:
  • Power On Self Test (POST) has not been successful, indicating a failure to boot.
  • The system operating system is not responding. This feature is beneficial for unattended systems like servers, kiosks, or computers being remotely serviced during off-hours.
  • Alert on LAN also provides alerts for critical hardware failures such as voltage fluctuations and high temperature even when the operating system can not respond.