Performing Remote Server Operations

The Remote Server Operations chapter provides tools for managing the server through the BMC web interface without requiring physical access to the hardware. These controls allow administrators to reboot the BMC or host, launch KVM sessions, perform firmware updates, reset system configurations, and use power control features essential for off-site server management. All operations take effect immediately and should be performed with caution on production systems.

Rebooting BMC and Host

Reboot BMC

The Reboot BMC page allows administrators to restart the Baseboard Management Controller.

Displayed Information

• Last BMC Reboot Shows the timestamp of the most recent BMC restart (UTC format).

Reboot Action

• Clicking the Reboot BMC button restarts the BMC.

Effect of Reboot

• The connection to the BMC web interface will be temporarily unavailable for several minutes.

• After the BMC restarts, you may need to log in again.

This function is typically used after applying configuration changes or firmware updates that require a BMC restart.

Server Power Operations

The Server Power Operations page provides control of the server power state and one-time boot behavior.

Server Status

• Shows the current system power state (On or Off).

• Last Power Operation displays the most recent power control action.

Boot Settings

• Boot Settings Override: Specifies an alternate boot device for the next boot cycle:

  • None: Use the default boot order.

  • Pxe (network boot): Boot from a PXE network device.

  • Hdd: Boot from a local hard disk drive.

  • Cd: Boot from a CD/DVD optical drive.

  • BiosSetup: Enter the BIOS setup utility on the next boot.

  • USB: Boot from a USB device.

  • UefiShell: Boot to the UEFI shell environment.

  • UefiBootNext: Boot to the UEFI Boot Next option.

  • UefiTarget: Boot to a specific UEFI target device.

• Enable One Time Boot: Applies the override only for the next system startup.

• TPM Required Policy: Ensures the system boots only if the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is functional.

Reboot Server

• Orderly: Performs a graceful OS shutdown before rebooting.

• Immediate: Restarts immediately without shutting down the OS (risk of data loss).

Shutdown Server

• Orderly: Gracefully shuts down the OS before powering off.

• Immediate: Powers off immediately without shutting down the OS.

Launching the KVM console

KVM (Insyde)

The KVM (Insyde) page provides remote Keyboard, Video, and Mouse (KVM) access through the BMC.

Two Viewer Options

• HTML5 iKVM Viewer: Launches the KVM session in a web browser using HTML5. Display options include:

  • Content Auto Scale:

    • Automatically scales the remote display content to fit the window.

  • Window Auto Resize:

    • Adjusts the remote display to match the browser window size.

  • Exclusive Mode:

    • Allows a dedicated KVM session for a single user.

  • Share Mode:

    • Enables multiple users to view the same KVM session simultaneously.

• Java iKVM Viewer:

  • Provides a downloadable .jar file for launching the KVM session using Java.

A Keyboard Macros section allows administrators to create or modify predefined key sequences for use during the KVM session.

Note: If double-clicking the Java viewer does not launch, ensure the executable bit or platform permissions are properly configured

Using virtual front panel

Virtual Front Panel

The Virtual Front Panel provides remote access to power controls and chassis identification features.

Power Control

The following actions can be performed remotely:

• Reset Host: Reboots the host system without powering it off.

• NMI (Non-Masking Interrupt): Sends an NMI signal to the host for debugging and diagnostic purposes.

• Power Off Host – Immediate: Powers off the host system immediately without waiting for the OS to shut down.

• Graceful Shutdown (ACPI Off): Initiates an ACPI-compliant shutdown, allowing the operating system to terminate services safely.

• Power On Host: Powers on the host system.

• Power Cycle Host: Turns the system off and then on again (Off → On) to complete a full power cycle.

Chassis Identify (UID) Control

This panel controls the server’s UID (Unit Identifier) indicator, used for locating the system in a data center.

• Current UID Status: Displays the current state of the chassis UID LED.

• Choose an Action:

• Turn Off — Disables the UID indicator.

• Turn On — Enables the UID indicator.

• Turn Blinking — Makes the UID LED blink for a specified duration (1–254 seconds) or continuously (255).

Performing Power Actions and Boot Config

Boot Config

The Boot Config page allows configuration of power control, boot selection, and boot order behavior.

Boot Option

• Boot Source Override – Disabled / Once / Continuous

• Mode – Legacy or UEFI

• Boot Device Selector – Choose boot target

• Click Save to apply

Boot Order

• Drag items between Active Options and Inactive Options

• Example active items:

  • ubuntu

  • EFI Internal Shell

• Click Save to finalize

Managing Firmware Updates

Firmware

The Firmware page allows administrators to view firmware versions and perform updates for both the BMC and the Host firmware.

BMC Firmware

• Running Image – Shows the BMC firmware version currently in use.

• Backup Image – Displays the standby firmware stored in the backup region. Administrators may switch to the backup image when needed for troubleshooting or recovery.

Host Firmware

• Running Image – Indicates the firmware version actively running on the host system.

• Backup Image – Shows the backup firmware version stored for host recovery purposes.

Firmware Update Options

• File Source: Choose the source from which the firmware image will be provided

  • Workstation – Upload from local PC

  • TFTP Server – Retrieve from remote server

• Update Region: Select which firmware region will be updated

  • Update Active Region – Replaces the currently active firmware.

  • Update Recovery Region – Updates the backup/recovery firmware region.

• Additional Settings:

  • Update at Reset – Apply during next reboot

  • Update Dynamic – Apply immediately while running

• Firmware Image Upload – Click Add file to select the firmware image to upload.

• Start Update – Click Start Update to initiate the firmware update process using the selected options.

Performing Factory Reset

Factory Reset (Insyde)

The Factory Reset (Insyde) page provides options to restore BMC configuration settings to factory defaults.

When Reset is executed:

• All remote sessions are terminated.

• All user accounts and network interfaces are disabled.

• This action cannot be undone.

Administrators may optionally preserve specific configuration items using the Preserve Configuration options. Preservable Items:

• SDR – Sensor Data Records

• SNMP – Remote management settings

• Syslog – Remote logging configuration

• SEL – System Event Log

• SSH – SSH service settings

• Web – Web interface configuration

• Network – Network interface settings

• User – User accounts and permissions

• OEM – OEM-defined settings

You may select Check All to preserve all categories.