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Emergency Management Services console redirection

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Emergency Management Services console redirection

Windows Server 2003 family components such as the Windows loader (Ntldr) can provide Emergency Management Services console redirection. Console redirection makes video output appear in text format when the output is sent to the out-of-band port and local monitor, if one is attached. The computer continues to receive keyboard input from the out-of-band port and the local keyboard, if attached. While the operating system is booting, the console takes over redirection from the firmware. See the System-state diagram for a visual overview of this process.

Important

  • Your computer must have firmware console redirection for you to be able to view information from the remotely administered server. For more information, see Firmware console redirection.

Emergency Management Services does not provide console redirection for the following:

  • The Press any key to boot from CD prompt that appears when you start your system by using the operating system CD.

  • The Windows Server 2003 family GUI-mode Setup.

  • Disk related error messages caused by problems such as a damaged master boot record (MBR).

  • Startrom.com at baud rates greater than 9600 baud.

  • For Itanium-based systems, Emergency Management Services relies on the firmware to redirect the operating system boot menu.

With Emergency Management Services console redirection, you can manage a server remotely through an out-of-band connection to do the following:

  • Verify the initial load of Windows Server 2003 family components when administrative tools for in-band management are not yet available.

  • For x86-based systems, select an operating system to load on multiple boot systems.

  • View the progress of the Windows Server 2003 family text-mode Setup.

  • For systems without firmware console redirection, respond to the F12 prompt remotely when using Remote Installation Services (RIS) to initiate a Setup program.

  • Respond to Windows Server 2003 family text-mode Setup prompts.

  • View Stop error messages remotely when a system problem has occurred.

  • Use the Recovery Console to troubleshoot startup problems remotely.

  • Start and access command prompts.