Connect-Tek Over IP
47
documentation for more information.
IPMI is used to configure and control a device on the motherboard called the BMC (Baseboard Management
Controller) using a dedicated serial port. Once the computer is configured for IPMI management, the serial
port on the host computer is normally reserved by the BIOS solely for that purpose and cannot be accessed
or recognized by the operating system. It is therefore unlikely that a serial port provided by an add-in card will
be able to act as an IPMI port, so you must use a serial port integrated on the motherboard of the managed
computer. If the computer you are managing only has a single serial port, you must add an additional port (or
ports) via an add-in card if you need a serial port for other purposes (i.e. modem). Enabling IPMI support
usually requires enabling options in the host computer’s BIOS setup software, and the instructions will vary
considerably from make to make and model to model. Normally, a password will be created by the BIOS that
allows the IPMI feature to be accessed; this password is exclusive to the IPMI feature and does not
correspond to a password or account in the host computer’s operating system.
If the Host Computer Does Not Support IPMI
If the host computer you are managing with the
CTIP-01
does not support IPMI,
Connect-Tek
offers a
non-IPMI solution that also works via serial port and acts as a power concentrator and a power management
device: the 8 Outlet Serial Power Console and Switch. For more information about this product, visit
www.connect-tek.com
Activating the IPMI Option
The
CTIP-01
contains the necessary software to use IPMI. To enable this capability, you must purchase the
software option from
Connect-Tek
unless you have purchased a model with the feature pre-enabled. To
verify whether the IPMI feature is enabled on your unit, login to the Web interface as
admin
, click the
Setup/Admin
button at the top of the page, and click
Firmware and flash memory management
. If
IPMI
is
not listed beside
Software Options
(see above) then the IPMI option is not present and you will have to
purchase the software option to use the feature.
To purchase the IPMI option, contact
Connect-Tek
Technical Support at:
Have your model and serial number on hand. When asked, supply the technician with the code listed under
Purchase Options
at the bottom of the
Firmware and flash memory management
page. Once the order
is processed, the technician will provide you with an Unlock code. Enter that code in the space provided, and
click
Submit
. The system will update itself to allow IPMI configuration.
