Monitoring Board
The System Management Module (SMM) is an intelligent monitoring board that is programmable for full system monitoring capabilities. This unit is a stand-alone, platform-independent module that is being integrated into the company’s standard and custom system chassis. The SMM can monitor critical system elements including voltages, temperatures, current, and fan speed and report present status and alarm conditions via RS-232, Ethernet, and I2C communications links, plus VFD/LCD or LED output. The RS-232 and Ethernet interfaces allow the SMM to be connected to any processor board via a standard port. The I2C interface is provided for implementations requiring system management using IPMI protocol and for communication with optional peripherals. In the past, this set of functions was typically assembled from a collection of dedicated boards wired together, instead of one microprocessor-based device that measures 5 × 1.5 × 1 inch. Similar functionality from other suppliers would cost about twice the SMM’s low price and lack the SMM’s flexibility. All functions of this flexible board, including voltage ranges, function of I/O ports, and more are preprogrammed at the factory per customer requirements.
