A service processor is a separate, dedicated internal processor located on the motherboard of a server, a PCI card, or on the chassis of a blade server or telecommunications platform. It operates independently from the server’s CPU and operating system (OS), even if the CPU or OS is locked up or otherwise inaccessible.

Because IPMI operates independent of the operating system, when sending commands to the BMC over IP, it provides administrators with the ability to monitor, manage, diagnose and recover systems, even if the operating system has hung or the server is powered down.

The Systems Management Architecture for Server Hardware (SMASH) is a recent development that enables administrators to use a consistent command line interface to server monitoring and management tasks irrespective of the vendor.

Distributed enterprises and network operating centers require powerful, centralized, and remote control of computer systems, serial-based devices, and power distribution products such as UPS and intelligent power strips

Out-of-band management offers businesses a cost-effective, secure and efficient solution. It helps ensure a high level of IT infrastructure performance and productivity by meeting the demand for uninterrupted service availability.