OpenQA uses the VNC protocol to interface with a test system. This limits test systems to be virtualized. Bare metal (physical) systems do not provide VNC out-of-the-box.

However, many systems have baseboard management controllers (BMCs) capable of VNC-redirecting the BIOS console via network.

I want to explore the BMC network API to create a VNC console and connect it to OpenQA.

BMCs considered * HP iLO * DELL (i)DRAC * Intel AMT

I will focus on Intel AMT first because all Lenovo Laptops have this integrated.

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This project is part of:

Hack Week 12

Activity

  • almost 9 years ago: xgonzo liked this project.
  • almost 9 years ago: zzhou liked this project.
  • almost 9 years ago: aschnell liked this project.
  • almost 9 years ago: kwk started this project.
  • almost 9 years ago: kwk originated this project.

  • Comments

    • ancorgs
      almost 9 years ago by ancorgs | Reply

      Looks very similar to this other project. Look my comment there. There is already an openQA backend for IPMI and, as far as I understand, AMT and IPMI are kind of similar.

      • algraf
        almost 9 years ago by algraf | Reply

        It's similar, but not identical. This project is about leveraging built-in remote access solutions (which is smart). My project idea is about enabling machines that don't have it. Both make a lot of sense in their own court - if there is hardware support for remote access it's definitely cheaper to just use it rather than hack up frame grabbers ;).

    • coolo
      almost 9 years ago by coolo | Reply

      Intel AMT should be pretty straightforward - if you have hardware to try. the IPMI support is just a thin layer on top of the vnc_backend controlling the power switching. AMT will be similiar.

    • hreinecke
      almost 9 years ago by hreinecke | Reply

      I would rather start with IPMI; most of the machines controller by orthos have it already. So you'd have a far larger playground to test things out. And it would be immediately useful for openQA, as I don't suppose you'd be wanting to have openQA run on your laptop...

    • kwk
      almost 9 years ago by kwk | Reply

      I agree that IPMI is more widespread but will start with hardware I have on my desk ;-)

    • coolo
      almost 9 years ago by coolo | Reply

      • IPMI is already done, so much more boring :)

    • coolo
      almost 9 years ago by coolo | Reply

      http://stephan.kulow.org/test.png - Klaus' Laptop :)

    • kwk
      almost 9 years ago by kwk | Reply

      Looks like we're getting somewhere http://stephan.kulow.org/amt.ogv

    • coolo
      almost 9 years ago by coolo | Reply

      Translating the link to markdown: Video for Demo

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