1. An information handing apparatus comprising: a networking processing unit configured to process data received on one or more ports; a switching device, communicatively coupled to the network processing unit, that is configured to receive a protocol extension message from an upstream network device and responsive to receiving a protocol extension message, directs the protocol extension message to a protocol extension message processor; the protocol extension message processor, communicatively coupled to the switching device, that processes the protocol extension message forwarded by the switching device and responsive to identifying in the protocol extension message as a request for console access, submits one or more instructions to a multiplexer (MUX) to switch control of a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) from a host central processing unit (CPU) of the information handing apparatus to the protocol extension message processor; and the multiplexer (MUX), communicatively coupled to the protocol extension message processor, that receives the one or more instructions from the protocol extension message processor and switches control of the UART to the protocol extension message processor.