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What is the meaning of "lights out" in this context.

DTS is a secure server management tool that enables monitoring and control of servers either via modem lines or over a network. DTS facilitates remote system administration in situations where servers are geographically distributed or physically inaccessible. DTS software works in conjunction with the DTS card provided with all Serv-Tech Apex 988 servers. The DTS card operates independently of the host server, running off 5-volt standby power from the system’s power supplies. The card also features an integral battery that gives approximately 30 minutes of backup power should a power outage occur. Thanks to these features, DTS serves as a “lights out” management tool that continues to operate even when the server operating system goes offline, the server is powered off, or a power failure occurs.

I have checked the dictionary, where it say "the time when those resident at an institution, such as soldiers in barracks or children at a boarding school, are expected to retire to bed." But this is still unclear to me. Could someone explain the metaphorical usage of "lights out" in this context?

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    The text is unclear, because it is overloaded with technical terms. What is the source of this? There's lots of jargon, so unless you know the jargon the paragraph means nothing much. Perhaps if you can link to the source of this it would make more sense. I suppose it refers to what Wikipedia calls OOB en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out-of-band_management
    – James K
    Apr 22 at 17:13
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    lights out= a cut in power
    – Lambie
    Apr 22 at 17:35
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    @Lambie That's actually not correct in this context. James K is correct in saying that this is technical jargon.
    – stangdon
    Apr 22 at 18:32
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    See also What is "lights-out systems"?
    – Laurel ♦
    Apr 22 at 18:43
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    I’m voting to close this question because it's about a domain-specific jargon usage, that specifically doesn't reflect either of the two common mainstream senses of "lights out" ("time to go to sleep", and power cuts).
    – FumbleFingers
    Apr 22 at 20:56

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Lights out is technical jargon in this paragraph. You probably won't find the meaning in a standard dictionary.

In IT management, lights out refers to the ability to manage a system remotely, without a person being there. (I think the origin of the phrase is that when people are in the building, the lights are on, but when they leave, they turn the lights off.)

So here, it means that you can do everything that you need to do completely remotely.

Source: lights-out management (LOM)

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  • +1. A similar usage also appears in manufacturing, for processes that are automated to the point that they don’t need a human watching them and can be run overnight after everyone has gone home. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lights_out_(manufacturing)
    – RLH
    Apr 23 at 2:03

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