Why you should buy a service processor card
Every major server manufacturer offers some sort of service processor for their server. I’ve got experience with IBM’s RSA II cards, and with HP’s iLO. Other server manufacturers like Dell have similar solutions, but i’m not familiar with them.
These things aren’t usually that costly (around 500CHF), and allow you to power on/off the server from remote – this comes quite handy if the server is at a remote site. You can also access the local keyboard/mouse from remote, this usually requires USB support in the OS (not a problem anymore, i think). Both iLO and RSA II support remote KVM, remote floppy (for upgrading the BIOS or similar tasks). They also both support secure remote access through SSH and HTTPS.
Another very important thing is access to the system error log, usually only visible through the BIOS or the monster management Applications (Insight and Director).
There are some key differences between iLO and RSA II:
IBM’s RSA II
IBM’s RSA II slimline is an add in card, usually located directly on the motherboard and connected through a proprietary connector. It allows remote alerts through SMTP, and comes with an outdated-looking web interface, but it offers all the usual features like remote KVM, system log display, remote storage, integration into LDAP directories, etc. The ethernet connector is usually integrated into the main system board, but only active with an appropriate RSA card installed. There’s also a non-slimline version of the RSA II card, which offers a bit more functionality, but i’ve never used one of them. RSA II slimline is a bit cheaper than the iLO advanced license.
HP’s iLO
HP’s iLO, integrated into all better HP servers doesn’t cost a penny in the standard version, and is sold with the server. No need to install hardware. You can activate features like remote KVM, and LDAP directory integration using license keys. This approach is in my opinion a lot better than IBMs, because you do not need to purchase and install additional hardware. What iLO can’t do is to make notifications by mail. Of course, SNMP is supported, but smaller businesses might lack the infrastructure for SNMP traps.
As you can see, both products have their own advantages and disadvantages. I think IBM should polish the look of it’s RSA Webinterface a bit, and HP should add alert support through E-Mails. Both products lack time sync through SNTP, for some reason. Maybe they use the systems internal clock, but i wasn’t able to find much about this topic (i didn’t look very far, either).
Both HP and IBM make excellent servers – IBM seems to be a bit slower in technology adaption than HP, though they are leading on other fields like Blade servers.
WhereCanYouBuyThese?:
Where can you buy Service Processors?
9. April, 2007, 18:43WhereCanYouBuyThese?:
Did my last entry work? I cannot tell.
9. April, 2007, 18:44Lukas Beeler:
It did. Comments are just moderated, for sake of spam filtering.
9. April, 2007, 18:46Lukas Beeler:
These cards are server specific. You can usually buy them from the same place you bought your server. I can’t really help you without knowing where you live, or without the information of what server you have.
If you have a generic server, built of just some parts, the best option you have is to buy a generic card – they usually don’t have all the hardware monitoring stuff, but restarting the machine should work.
An example is the eRIC card.
9. April, 2007, 18:48WhereCanYouBuyThese?:
Can you buy SP/ILOMs for personal computers?
9. April, 2007, 20:50Lukas Beeler:
You could probably buy an ERIC card for a PC, but you would probably loose 3d acceleration and similar stuff.
9. April, 2007, 20:53Ernesto:
I have an RSA II (i think) in my IBM xSeries 345 server that I just aquired. There is a round hole which looks like it’s for a seperate power adapter. Do you know if these cards require external power or do they work off the server power. I really haven’t messed around much with it, I’m just at work doing some research =)… THX.
22. April, 2008, 19:02Johan Elmerfjord:
The RSA II -cards works just fine even without the additional powersupply – as long as you have power connected to the server itself. But you will not be able to use it – or to get diagnostic info, if the powersupply goes down.
24. August, 2008, 00:40It works just fine to power on a server that’s off, even without additional power.
But I guess you already know all this by now. :-)
Alexis:
For those who wonder about Dell servers, Dell Remote Assistant Card (DRAC) provides quite the same features. If you are interested in further information, just ask Google with “Remote Systems Management Using the Dell Remote Access Card”.
17. July, 2009, 11:03Peter:
Hi,
it seems that you have some experience with the RSA II cards. I would like to manage my server remotely using the RSA II via HTTP/SSH. I am trying to find out for some time now, if it’s possible to use the RSA II to access the server and the remote management console through the same network adapter, so only one IP address and one rj45 cable is used for connecting the server to network. The remote management services could be set up to run on higher (unused) ports and the server services running on regular ports. Is this possible or do I need two separate cables and connections?
Thank you for your help.
18. February, 2010, 23:24Lukas Beeler:
Hi Peter,
IBM’s RSA II (or it’s successor, the IMM) do not support Ethernet Port sharing (which, even if supported, would still require a second IP address).
My Dell Server (R210) with DRAC Express supports Ethernet Port Sharing, which works automatically, no configuration required, but you still need a second IP address.
18. February, 2010, 23:26