To observe a node’s boot process during takeover testing, you need access to aconsole-capable, out-of-band management interfacethat remains reachable even when the node is not fully up at the ONTAP management layer. NetApp platforms provide theService Processor (SP)(or BMC on some models) as the remote management device used for out-of-band monitoring, console redirection, and power control/diagnostics.

ONTAP documentation describes that the remote management device (Service Processor) can detect certain failure conditions and is involved in hardware-assisted takeover behavior, which reinforces its role as the out-of-band management plane. Additionally, ONTAP provides explicit commands to manage the Service Processor (for example, rebooting the SP), which further confirms that SP is a distinct management interface independent of in-band ONTAP LIFs.

Options B (SVM management), C (cluster management), and D (node management) are allin-band ONTAP LIF-based management interfaces. These LIFs depend on ONTAP network services being operational and do not provide the low-level boot console view needed to watch BIOS/loader/kernel initialization. During takeover testing, the node being taken over may be halted, rebooting, or otherwise not servicing its management LIF in a reliable way. In contrast, SP access is intended specifically for situations where the OS is not fully running or where you need visibility into the boot process and hardware health.

From an installation testing and troubleshooting standpoint, connecting to the SP is the correct method to watch the node boot while its partner is in takeover, because the SP provides persistent, independent access to the node console regardless of ONTAP LIF availability.

Therefore, the correct interface isA. Service Processor.