Getting Started with IPMI

IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) is an important tool for any server administrator. With IPMI, you can access the server as if you were physically sitting in front of it with full KVM (i.e., Keyboard, Video, Mouse) access. Also, you can install an OS outside of the OVHcloud templates. This tutorial explains how to access your server using IPMI from a Java applet.

Note: Although IPMI can be accessed from macOS, there are some compatibility issues. As a result, it is recommended to use a system running either Windows or Linux.

Topics

• Accessing IPMI from the OVH US Manager
• Installing an OS from IPMI
• Configuring RAID from the BIOS

Accessing IPMI from the OVH US Manager

Before we begin, please ensure that Java is installed on your system. To download and install the latest version of Java, click here.

Start by logging in to the OVH US Manager. From the left-hand sidebar, choose the Dedicated Server you wish to access. Then, click on the IPMI tab. Click the From a java applet (KVM) button.

Download the kvm.jnlp file when prompted. Then, open the Java applet to see the IPMI console. Next, we will discuss installing an OS from IPMI.

Installing an OS from IPMI

Warning: OVH US does not guarantee the functionality of any operating systems installed via IPMI. This route should only be taken by an experienced server administrator.

To begin, open IPMI in a Java applet as described in the section above. Then, click Device from the menu bar and select Redirect ISO from the drop-down menu.

Next, select the ISO you wish to use from your local computer's file system. Once you have selected your ISO, press the Ctrl Alt Del button in the top-right corner of the screen to reboot the server. Press the appropriate F key to access the boot options.

Note: You may need to use the soft keyboard to enter keyboard input into IPMI. To access this, click the Keyboard option from the menu bar at the top of the window. Then, select Soft Keyboard from the dropdown menu and click Show.

Select the UEFI Virtual CDROM 1.00 option from the boot menu to start the server from the ISO attached previously.

Complete the steps required to install the operating system. Do not forget to remove the ISO from the Redirect ISO option.

Configuring RAID from the BIOS

Note: Not all operating systems are compatible with RAID when it's configured directly from the motherboard. Please refer to your operating system's documentation to see if and how you can utilize this feature.

In order to configure RAID in the BIOS, access the server via IPMI as discussed in the first section. Next, press the Ctrl Alt Del button in the top-right corner and press the appropriate F key when prompted to enter the BIOS. From the BIOS menu, scroll down and select Boot Maintenance Manager option.

Next, highlight and select the Advanced Boot Options button. Change the "Boot Mode" to "Legacy" as displayed in the following screenshot:

Now, return to the main BIOS menu, highlight and select the Advanced option and then highlight and select Mass Storage Controller Configuration option from the following menu:

Highlight and select the SATA Port Configuration option and then change the AHCI Capable SATA option from AHCI to RAID Mode. Lastly, change the AHCI Capable RAID Options to INTEL(R) RSTe.

Next, return to the main BIOS menu and press the appropriate F key (or use the soft keyboard to press the appropriate F key button) to save all changes. Then, exit the BIOS. You will be taken to the following screen:

Press Ctrl+I to enter the RAID configuration utility. Highlight and select the first option, Create RAID Volume, and proceed to configure the RAID volume to your preference.

You have now successfully configured RAID from the BIOS.

Conclusion

IPMI is an important tool for an experienced server administrator. Whether you need to access the BIOS, install a custom OS, or just access your server directly from the OVH US Manager, IPMI will allow you to accomplish your most important tasks.