Configuring Ilo; Conclusion - HP AB500A - Integrated Lights-Out Advanced Technology Brief

Administrators who want to use text-based controls can access the iLO and iLO2 processors using
SSH or telnet. If the OS supports it, they can also use the virtual serial port infrastructure, as described
in the section "Virtual Serial Port/Remote Serial Console." The text-based interface allows
administrators to use the SMASH SM CLP to configure or update iLO and execute iLO processes.

Configuring iLO

Administrators can configure individual iLO management processors in any of the following ways:
• Browser-based web interface
• Local iLO ROM-based setup utility (RBSU) when the system environment does not use DHCP, DNS,
or WINS
• Text-based commands to the SMASH CLP through telnet, SSH, or the serial port
• Scripted configuration using Lights-Out configuration utilities and RIBCL/XML or Perl scripts
Scripting is commonly used for configuring multiple iLO processors (for example, configuring network
settings, user accounts, or updating firmware). Administrators can also use scripts to deploy a
standard configuration onto a single server, for extracting information such as event logs or BIOS
records, or for automated deployments. The same script can be used from within the host OS (on-line)
as well as over the network (remotely). Using the RIBCL/XML or Perl scripting tools allows
administrators to script Lights-Out operations during deployment, during server operation, and
remotely.
For example, using the CPQLOCFG utility, an administrator might write a script to remotely upgrade
the system BIOS for every server in a rack. The script might instruct the iLO device in each server to
do the following: power down the server, download the new BIOS, and then power up the server.
With XML-based remote scripting capabilities, every function or task an administrator can do using
Lights-Out technology and a web browser can also be done in a secure environment through an XML
script running at a remote site.
More information about configuring iLO processors is available in the "Planning and configuration
recommendations for Integrated Lights-Out processors" technology brief. 11 The HP Integrated
Lights-Out Management Processor Scripting and Command Line Resource Guide contains additional
information about scripting. Sample scripts files are available from the website at
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00294268/c00294268.pdf

Conclusion

Integrated Lights-Out technology provides system administrators a robust, secure, independently
operated connection to the managed server, regardless of the state of the server. The iLO
management processor is designed for scalability: Using directory services or scripting tools,
administrators can easily deploy and manage tens or hundreds of iLO processors. Integrated Lights-
Out functionality improves system administration efficiency so that IT groups can operate more
productively.
11 Available at http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00257375/c00257375.pdf
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