IPMITool: Essential for Remote Server Management

IPMITool is a powerful command-line utility designed for managing and monitoring server hardware remotely. It leverages the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) to provide deep control over server components, even when the operating system is not running or the server is powered off. This tool is indispensable for system administrators who need to manage fleets of servers efficiently and reliably.

Connecting and Basic Operations

Establishing a connection to your server's Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) is the first step. IPMITool allows you to connect via various interfaces, with lanplus being a common choice for network connections. Once connected, you can perform essential operations like checking the server's power status or initiating a power cycle.

# Connect IPMI/BMC board via LAN
ipmitool -I lanplus -U USER -a -H ADDR

# Check power status
ipmitool -I lanplus -U USER -a -H ADDR chassis power status

# Power on system
ipmitool -I lanplus -U USER -a -H ADDR chassis power on

Configuring Network Interfaces

Proper network configuration is crucial for remote access. IPMITool enables you to set static IP addresses, subnet masks, and default gateway addresses for the IPMI interface, ensuring consistent connectivity. You can also print the current network configuration to verify your settings.

# Configure local IPMI board with static IP Address
ipmitool lan set 1 ipsrc static
ipmitool lan set 1 ipaddr ADDR
ipmitool lan set 1 netmask 255.255.255.0
ipmitool lan set 1 defgw ipaddr GATEWAYW_ADDR

# Show configuration for first configured LAN interface
ipmitool lan print 1

User and Access Management

Securing access to your server's management interface is paramount. IPMITool allows you to create and manage user accounts, assign privileges, and configure access rights for different channels. This ensures that only authorized personnel can control critical server functions.

# Configure access to channel with admin rights
ipmitool user set name 2 admin
ipmitool user set password 2
ipmitool channel setaccess 1 2 link=on ipmi=on callin=on privilege=4
ipmitool user enable 2

Further Resources

For more in-depth information and advanced usage, consult the official IPMI specifications and documentation:

• Intel IPMI Resources
• Supermicro IPMI Guide
• Wikipedia: Intelligent Platform Management Interface