IPMITool – Manage and Monitor Server Hardware Remotely

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As server infrastructure becomes more complex and remote, system administrators need tools to monitor and manage hardware without direct physical access. Enter IPMI, or Intelligent Platform Management Interface, and its most widely used utility: ipmitool.

In this post, we will explore what IPMI and IPMITool are, how to install and use ipmitool effectively, and real-world examples to help you remotely manage power, sensor data, and system events. Whether you’re handling a data center or a home lab, IPMITool is a must-know for any system admin.

What is IPMI?

IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) is a standardized interface used to manage a computer system and monitor its operation independently of the operating system. Developed by Intel in 1998, IPMI enables out-of-band management, allowing administrators to monitor system health, reboot servers, or log errors even if the OS is down.

What is IPMITool?

ipmitool is a command-line utility for managing and configuring devices that support IPMI. It communicates with the BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) to allow hardware-level control, including:

  • Monitoring temperatures, fans, power supplies
  • Remote reboot/shutdown
  • Accessing system event logs
  • Controlling server power
  • Changing boot order or BIOS settings

Installing IPMITool

For Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ipmitool

For CentOS/RHEL:

sudo yum install ipmitool

For Fedora:

sudo dnf install ipmitool

For Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S ipmitool

Check version:

ipmitool -V

Access Modes: Local vs Remote

  • Local: Direct access to BMC from the server’s OS.
  • Remote: Over the network using IPMI IP (usually via dedicated LAN port).

Example:

ipmitool -I lanplus -H <IPMI_IP> -U <username> -P <password> <command>

Basic Usage Examples

🔹 Check Power Status

ipmitool -I lanplus -H 192.168.1.10 -U admin -P password power status

🔹 Power ON

ipmitool -I lanplus -H 192.168.1.10 -U admin -P password power on

🔹 Power OFF

ipmitool -I lanplus -H 192.168.1.10 -U admin -P password power off

🔹 Reboot Server

ipmitool -I lanplus -H 192.168.1.10 -U admin -P password power cycle

View Sensor Readings

Monitor temperatures, fan speeds, voltages:

ipmitool sensor

Example Output:

CPU Temp         | 38 degrees C | ok
System Temp      | 31 degrees C | ok
Fan1             | 4500 RPM     | ok
Vcore            | 1.1 V        | ok

System Event Log (SEL)

View Event Log

ipmitool sel list

Clear Event Log

ipmitool sel clear

Chassis Info

Get system chassis status (e.g., intrusion detection):

ipmitool chassis status

Change Boot Device

Change the next boot device to PXE, disk, or CD-ROM.

Boot from PXE:

ipmitool chassis bootdev pxe

Boot from Disk:

ipmitool chassis bootdev disk

Identify Server Physically

Blink identification LED (useful in a data center):

ipmitool chassis identify

Security Note

Avoid using plain text passwords in commands for security. Consider:

  • Creating a local config file
  • Using passwordless access with key-based IPMI over HTTPS
  • Restricting IPMI access to trusted admin VLANs

Common Errors and Fixes

Timeout/No response:

  • Ensure IPMI is enabled in BIOS
  • Check LAN port (some servers use a dedicated port)
  • Verify IPMI IP and credentials

Unable to connect:

  • Use ping to verify connectivity
  • Use nmap to check port 623 (default IPMI port)

Useful Scripts

You can create bash scripts to monitor all your servers. Example:

#!/bin/bash
servers=(192.168.1.10 192.168.1.11 192.168.1.12)
for ip in "${servers[@]}"; do
  echo "Checking $ip"
  ipmitool -I lanplus -H $ip -U admin -P password power status
done

IPMI Alternatives

Though IPMITool is robust, here are other tools:

  • FreeIPMI
  • OpenIPMI
  • Redfish CLI (newer REST-based protocol)
  • Vendor tools (HP iLO, Dell DRAC, Supermicro IPMIView)

Conclusion

ipmitool is an essential command-line tool for any system administrator managing physical servers. It empowers you to monitor, control, and diagnose hardware from anywhere—even when the OS is unresponsive. Its versatility and vendor-agnostic approach make it a cornerstone of remote server management.

Whether you’re rebooting a stuck server, monitoring fan speeds, or clearing system event logs, ipmitool is your go-to utility for efficient hardware-level access.

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