IPMI stays for Intelligent Platform Management Interface

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_Platform_Management_Interface

Issue

IMPI has various purposes

It can

• readout cpu sensor informations
• start and shutdown the computer
• can be used to have a remote serial console

requirements

kernel

Compile you kernel with the options

CONFIG_IPMI_HANDLER=m
CONFIG_IPMI_DEVICE_INTERFACE=m
CONFIG_IPMI_SI=m
CONFIG_IPMI_WATCHDOG=m
CONFIG_IPMI_POWEROFF=m

Load the modules

ipmi_poweroff
ipmi_devintf
ipmi_si
ipmi_watchdog
ipmi_msghandler

Some of the modules like ipmi_si have to be loaded with specific parameters. These parameters depend on the motherboard, CPU and IPMI cards and, eventually, on other things. In doubt, ask the vendor.

hardware

You need to habe an IPMI card on the mother board, eventually, with an own ethernet port. IPMI cards without an own network card can use an existing network cards.

Software

Install the package ipmitool We had some trouble using ipmitool version 1.8.7. with configureing the users. One has to backport ipmitools 1.8.9. If you compile it, take care that the lanplus interface is included.

BIOS

In some cases the IPMI cards does not work properly. You see it, if you use

ipmitool sensor .

If values like the temperature of the processors are not shown or looking strange, it meight be that IPMI card need an update. Ask the vendor for the flash image and tools. Often, only Dos tools are provided Dos .

usage

wakeup on lan

IPMI over lan

The configuration of the server you can read out with:

ipmitool -I open lan print 1 .

It reads out channel one. Here is a list of setting for channel 1:

 * ipmitool -I open lan set 1 ipaddr x.x.x.x
 * ipmitool -I open lan set 1 netmask 255.255.x.0
 * ipmitool -I open lan set 1 password

Additionally, one needs to create a user.

ipmitools -I open user list 1

prints the user for channel 1.

• ipmitool -I open user set name 3 a_name

sets the name a_name for user id 3

• ipmitool -I open user set password 3 a_password
• ipmitool -I open user set priv 3 x y

Set the privilages x for user 3 on channel y.

serial over lan

BIOS setup of the IPMI server

• Com Port Address [On-board COM B]
• Baud Rate [19.2K]
• Console Type [VT100]
• Flow Control [XON/XOFF]
• Console connection: [Direct]
• Continue C.R. after POST: [On]

configuration on the server side