Intel SHG2 - Manual (Page 19)

Description 19
Secure Mode
Configure and enable the secure boot mode by using the SSU. When secure mode is in effect:
• You can boot the server and the operating system will run, but you must enter the user
password to use the keyboard or mouse.
• You cannot turn off system power or reset the server from the front panel switches.
Secure mode has no effect on functions enabled via the Server Manager Module or power control
via the real time clock.
Taking the server out of secure mode does not change the state of system power. That is, if you
press and release the power switch while secure mode is in effect, the system will not be powered
off when secure mode is later removed. However, if the front panel power switch remains
depressed when secure mode is removed, the server will be powered off.
Summary of Software Security Features
The table below lists the software security features and describes what protection each offers. In
general, to enable or set the features listed here, you must run the SSU and go to the Security
Subsystem Group, menu. The table also refers to other SSU menus and to the BIOS Setup utility.
Table 3. Software Security Features
Feature Description
Secure mode How to enter secure mode:
• Setting and enabling passwords automatically places the system in secure
mode.
• If you set a hot-key combination (through Setup), you can secure the
system simply by pressing the key combination. This means you do not
have to wait for the inactivity time-out period.
When the system is in secure mode:
The server can boot and run the operating system, but mouse and keyboard
input is not accepted until the user password is entered.
At boot time, if a CD is detected in the CD-ROM drive or a diskette in drive A,
the system prompts for a password. When the password is entered, the
server boots from CD or diskette and disables the secure mode.
If there is no CD in the CD-ROM drive or diskette in drive A, the server boots
from drive C and automatically goes into secure mode. All enabled secure
mode features go into effect at boot time.
To leave secure mode: Enter the correct password(s).
Disable writing to diskette In secure mode, the server will not boot from or write to a diskette unless a
password is entered.
To write protect access to diskette whether the server is in secure mode or
not, use the Setup main menu, Floppy Options, and specify Floppy Access as
read only.
continued