Paessler Blog - All about IT, Monitoring, and PRTG

Why you should manage your Fujitsu server with iRMC

Written by Sascha Neumeier | May 28, 2018

In this article you will learn more about why you should manage your Fujitsu server with iRMC, what this remote management is based on, and why many other server manufacturers also use this technology.

IPMI, BMC, iRMC – What Is It All About?

Well, I don't want to bore the longtime professionals among you readers, nor confuse the newcomers too much. Let us approach the matter simply according to the phrase "Keep it short and simple". 😉

IPMI, the Intelligent Platform Management Interface is an interface that communicates with the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC). The BMC is connected to the basic hardware components of the server, the required communication interfaces, and various sensors built into the hardware.

The BMC starts and is available as soon as the server is supplied with standby power - that means the server can be switched off, but the BMC is fully operational and ready for communication. This allows the server to be administered and monitored even when switched off, for example via a serial connection or the network interface.

Typical features of IPMI are:

  • Monitoring of sensor values such as temperature, CPU, memory, overall status
  • Transmission of status messages via SNMP
  • Starting or shutting down the server
  • Read-out of log files

Meanwhile, Redfish is a successor to IPMI, and it is increasingly establishing itself on the market. We have prepared some content for you, so don't miss it. 😊

🔥 Monitor your server hardware (system health) with the Redfish protocol

🔥 Let's talk about sensors! Monitoring with PRTG Redfish sensors

🔥 All about Redfish and how to easily add the sensors in PRTG

Does This Only Work with Fujitsu Hardware?

As already mentioned at the beginning, besides Fujitsu, almost all well-known manufacturers offer their own management consoles. Access to the server hardware's baseboard management controller via the standardized IPMI interface unites all of them.

Manufacturer  Software  Description
HP  iLO  Integrated Lights-Out
Dell  iDRAC  Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller
Lenovo  TMM  ThinkServer Management
Fujitsu  iRMC  Integrated Remote Management Controller

 

In addition, there are IPMI tools for Linux servers such as IPMItool or FreeIPMI, based on BSD or GPL licensing.

Benefits of Management and Monitoring with iRMC

iRMC enables system control, diagnostics, configuration and server restart via remote access from the built-in web interface, even if the operating system or hardware fails. Errors can be analyzed and resolved immediately. The administrator is notified by e-mail or SMS. In addition, the so-called SOL functionality (Serial Over LAN) allows access to the BIOS.

PRTG Network Monitor & Fujitsu System Health

Now that I have explained the basic functions of IPMI and iRMC to you today, you will soon find out in a follow-up blog article which possibilities the first  PRTG Network Monitor  native Fujitsu sensor offers you, how to set it up, and which settings you should ideally use with Fujitsu Server View.

Learn More about iRMC

To prepare your hardware and update the firmware before the next iRMC blog article, you can find all necessary information for configuring the iRMC below. It is also important to keep the iRMC firmware as up-to-date as possible. Masa Murayama shows in his blog how to update the iRMC using PowerShell - you can also find the link in the following overview.

Good luck with the preparation of your servers - see you again in part 2 of this article soon. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to your comments - just scroll down a bit and fill the comment box! 😊