Open Source Firmware Conference 2025

OpenBMC - More than a board in a box

Provides insights into complex server setups and discusses solutions for managing them within OpenBMC.


In this lightning talk, I will discuss various server setups that a BMC
might need to manage, based on my experience contributing to the OpenBMC
project. Many within the industry now encounter systems that are more
complex than a basic baseboard within a chassis, which impacts how
management solutions are developed and implemented.

In a previous talk, I covered multi-host platforms and the specific
challenges associated with managing these systems. This presentation will
delve further into additional server configurations that are commonly
encountered in the field. Understanding these setups is beneficial for guiding
feature development in OpenBMC, ensuring it meets the real-world needs of
modern server environments.

Additionally, I will outline solutions that OpenBMC provides for effectively
describing and managing more intricate topologies. These solutions are
designed to enhance management capabilities and improve operational
efficiency. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how OpenBMC can
be leveraged to address the complexities of current server systems.