Building on the IPMI standard, the VITA 46.11 standard defines a framework for system management in VPX embedded systems. It supports interoperability at the module, chassis, and system level, and enables the use of commercial IPMI-based software. The goal of VITA 46.11 is to eliminate the need for custom development to implement system management in VPX systems, lowering costs and accelerating deployment.

VITA 46.11 supports the following features:

• Inventory management
• Sensor management
• System configuration
• Recovery
• Diagnostic management

These functions are carried out by a network of management entities connected via the Intelligent Platform Management Bus (IPMB). The VPX IPMI architecture has three hierarchical levels—module, chassis, and system—where higher-level management entities have oversight over lower-level entities. The management entity at the module level is the onboard IPMI controller (IPMC), which oversees the local processor and sensors and connects to the chassis manager via IPMB ports on the VPX backplane. The chassis manager oversees all IPMCs within the chassis, and the system manager oversees all chassis managers within the system.

VITA 46.11 defines two tiers of IPMI capabilities. Tier 1 includes basic inventory management and system monitoring capabilities, while Tier 2 includes more advanced features such as sensor and infrastructure management, event logging, and the discovery, reset, and power cycling of field-replaceable units (FRUs).