HP Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) is a suite of embedded management technologies, supports the complete lifecycle for the ProLiant servers. Starting from initial deployment to service alerting and ongoing management, iLO is a nice tool to be informed about your server health.
The Advanced suite is quite expensive, but you can get a Evaluation licence for six weeks to evaluate the product. Plenty of time to get everything working fine before you have to decide if the product is worth its price.
I am using iLO for the first time on my HP ProLiant Microserver Gen8, so the following is just a precursor for new articles about this new „gadget“.
Setting up iLO
Before the first boot, add a network cable to the network IO port, named iLO, on the lower right side of the backside panel of your server. It is assumed, you have a DHCP server running in your network that will provide your server with an IP address. If this is not the case, your first need to set-up the iLO during boot up process (Hit F8 and in the menus set-up an adequate IP address).
In this iLO menu, you might also set-up a specific user account that is used to administrate your server later on. In my case, I just added a user, as the IP / DNS options are given by my DHCP server.
If you got a carton patch attached to your server, showing up login credentials, you can also use them to connect and configure.
First login
When booting your system, you will see the current IP address of iLO in the lower left corner of the boot screen. Just enter this IP into your browser and the following page will be provided, asking for your login credentials.
iLO 4 Advanced
Per default, there are some basic options available to use. I suggest to go for a free Evaluation license of HP Integrated Lights-Out Advanced (iLO). This license is valid for 60 days, so plenty enough time to get your server up and running.
- Open the HP iLO4 Advanced webpage .
- Choose a free trial licence for the HP ProLiant Servers
Doing so, will provide you with the following features:
- Authentication: Directory integration, Kerberos with Two-Factor authentication, HP Single Sign-On
- Remote Console: Virtual KVM (Integrated Remote Console), Console capture, replay, and share, Text Console
- Virtual Media: Image, CD, floppy, USB-key, scripting, folder
- Power: Power-related reporting, power capping, thermal capping on some systems
- Scalable Manageability: Support for iLO Federation Management commands to update firmware, control server power, use virtual media, and more
The following screenshot will present you the interface of the iLO web page:
[…] go without the iLO, but I suggest you to give it a try. Just check my previous post about “iLO on the HP ProLiant Microserver Gen8” if you need any help regarding […]
Thanks for the details.
I agree the licence cost of iLO killed my over-enthusiasm for the new G8 microservers. I was at first quite excited to see that the G8 microservers have built-in remote support Hardware, as on the previous version you needed to purchase a separate card, costing about €80 -but not further licence was required. This is just crazy as I bought the new G8 server on Special offer from HP store in Germany for just 220€UR… and the iLO costs as much. Back to using VNC.
I still use the basic functions like booting the server etc. from the ILO web app the server is offering. It is a nice feature to have full control and even display a virtual screen – but in fact I do not really „need“ it. When there are some real issues I am going to connect the G8 directly to my monitor at my desk.
You do not need to by the Advanced license, HP just pushes that license because it is expensive. That is overkill. You need to purchase ILO Essentials license which is much cheaper.
iLO Licenses can be obtained via amazon.com (us). Just bought mine for 18$, the seller agreed to sending the license code via mail…
I bought one for about 30 EUR also from Amazon