⚙️ BIOS Automation Prerequisites
To ensure reliable automated BIOS configuration using MANTLE, the following settings must be applied:
- ✅ Enable Serial Console Redirection
- 🚫 Disable Fast Boot
- 🚫 Disable Quiet Boot (optional)
🖥️ Serial Console Redirection ✅
Serial Console Redirection allows the system’s text-based console input and output to be redirected to a serial port, in addition to the local display and keyboard. This enables headless access and automation.
You can typically find this option under the Advanced tab in the BIOS:
Ensure that the correct port (usually COM1) is enabled for console redirection:
Required Settings (COM1)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Terminal Type | ANSI |
| Bits per Second | 115200 baud |
| Data Bits | 8 |
| Parity | None |
| Stop Bits | 1 |
| Flow Control | None |
Note: Serial Console Redirection is often used in conjunction with Serial-over-LAN (SoL) via IPMI or Intel AMT for secure remote console access.
🏎️ Fast Boot 🚫
Fast Boot is a BIOS/UEFI feature designed to reduce startup time by skipping certain hardware initialization and checks during POST (Power-On Self-Test).
While beneficial for quick boots, it can interfere with MANTLE by preventing required device initialization.
This option is usually found under the Boot tab:
Fast Boot may skip or delay:
- Hardware Initialization: Devices like USB drives or network adapters may not initialize before the OS loads.
- Memory Checks: Full RAM testing is often bypassed.
- Peripheral Detection: External devices (keyboards, mice, USB storage) may not be available during boot.
- Serial Console Initialization: Many BIOS implementations disable Serial Console Redirection under Fast Boot, blocking MANTLE access.
Recommendation: Disable Fast Boot to ensure all peripherals and console interfaces are available during MANTLE automation.
🤫 Quiet Boot 🚫
Quiet Boot hides diagnostic messages during startup, replacing them with a vendor logo or splash screen.
While this setting does not affect functionality, disabling it can aid troubleshooting by revealing system messages during the automation process.
The option is typically located under the Boot tab:
Optional: Disable Quiet Boot if you want to observe POST messages for debugging or validation purposes.