Nutanix IPMI Intelligent Platform Management Interface is BMC’s hardware interface to manage Nutanix Supermicro hardware through web-console (GUI) and ipmi tool Command line interface from network.
Before going explore the top 10 Nutanix IPMI commands need to understand the technical term and functionality of Nutanix IPMI and BMC.
What is IPMI ?
Nutanix IPMI interface is the Intelligent Platform Management Interface: IPMI that has two type of interfaces one is Web-console and another one is command line interface of server hardware for assistance to configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting of hardware server.
IPMI is based on BMC chip-set to get hardware information to show-off on Web-console and command line interface.
What is BMC ?
The BMC is Baseboard Management Controller that is a micro-controller and the major component of the IPMI sub-system. BMC has both an Ethernet interface and a directly attached interface to the chip-set on the motherboard. Such a configuration allows access to the micro-controller directly (from the Hypervisor) or remotely over LAN (from Controller VM).
Let’s explore the top 10 Nutanix IPMI Commands :
1 Check System Event Log
The BMC contains a central, non-volatile System Event Log ‘SEL’ that can be accessed even after a CPU failure on the server, for example, through the Nutanix IPMI LAN access.
A series of Nutanix IPMI commands permits reading and deleting the SEL. As the memory for the SEL is limited, it must be periodically checked and deleted so that additional events can be documented.
Query SEL events
nutanix@cvm$ ipmitool -H HOSTIP -U ADMIN -P ADMIN -v sel list 1 | 03/13/2014 | 02:47:10 | Power Supply #0xc8 | Failure detected | Asserted 2 | 03/13/2014 | 03:20:21 | Power Supply #0xc8 | Failure detected | Deasserted 3 | 03/13/2014 | 04:22:22 | Power Supply #0xc8 | Failure detected | Asserted
2 Clear the SEL Log
If need to clear old SEL logs to track down the particular issue
nutanix@cvm$ ipmitool -H HOSTIP -U ADMIN -P ADMIN -v sel clear
3 Hardware Sensor Reading
If you need to check hardware sensor reading of CPU, Fan, power supply unit and etc
nutanix@cvm$ ipmitool -H HOSTIP -U ADMIN -P ADMIN sensor list
4 Reset the BMC
If need to reset the BMC configuration
nutanix@cvm$ ipmitool -H HOSTIP -U ADMIN -P ADMIN mc reset cold OR nutanix@cvm$ ipmitool -H HOSTIP -U ADMIN -P ADMIN raw 0x06 0x02 # Wait at least one minute for the reset to complete
Note : No impact on running host, cvm and guest VMs
5 Get serial number of the node
If need to check Nutanix or Nutaix OEM hardware block serial number
nutanix@cvm$ ipmitool -H HOSTIP -U ADMIN -P ADMIN fru
Read more : How to check Block serial number from Prism
6 IPMI policy when the power is restored6
If need to set chassis power state in case of power shortage
nutanix@cvm$ ipmitool -H HOSTIP -U ADMIN -P ADMIN chassis policy chassis policy <state> list : return supported policies always-on : turn on when power is restored previous : return to previous state when power is restored always-off : stay off after power is restored
7 Resetting the IPMI Password
If need to reset IPMI password
Visit my post : How To Reset / Change Nutanix IPMI Password
8 Help information for specific commands
If need to know sub-commands of ipmitool
| ESXi/AHV | ipmitool CMD OPT /? |
| Hyper-V | ipmiutil CMD -? |
9 Turn on the Locator LED of node
If need to turn on of the nodes’ LED light
nutanix@cvm$ ipmitool -H HOSTIP -U ADMIN -P ADMIN chassis identify force
10 Turn off the Locator LED of node
If need to turn off of the nodes’ LED light
nutanix@cvm$ ipmitool -H HOSTIP -U ADMIN -P ADMIN chassis identify 0
IPMI stores information into the System Event Log (SEL), Sensor Data Record (SDR) repository, and the Field Replaceable Units (FRUs).
Conclusion
Nutanix IPMI command are very helpful in case of troubleshooting and resetting the configuration and password in case of something goes wrong.
Nutanix recommended to run any command wisely on Nutanix platform.
Any wrong command may impact running production environment.
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