= IPMI = IPMI allows us to access a physical server removetly, as if we were in the colo with a monitor and keyboard plugged in. At least in theory. We used to use [wiki:telehouse_serial_access a simple serial cable] to achieve this feat. However, new servers are no longer beings shipped with serial ports and motherboard/bios software no longer support them. Instead, we are expected to use IPMI. IPMI provides a million ways to connect, but we are enabling two. Both are configured to use a local, non-routable IP address. * web-based access (we will setup nginx to proxy from a public address to the non-routable address) * serial over LAN access, using ipmiutil which will be run from a server in the cabinet Unfortunately, IPMI is complex and varies considerably from computer to computer. Here are the steps used to connect john. == BIOS/Setup == When you first boot the computer, IPMI has to be enabled and assigned an IP address. We use a non-routable IP address so the only way to connect to IPMI is via a machine in the colo itself. Below are the screen shots of the bios and their settings.