Blade Server's ILO 4

[WMallari]

Hi,

I just want to know if the ILO Remote Management for HP Blade Servers is still a one to one type of connection? That is to initiate an ILO Remote connection to one blade server only. Can the new ILO allow monitoring of multiple blade servers or is KVM optin still the best work-around to manage and monitor multiple servers.

ILO to monitor and control a single HP Blade Server only.

KVM to control and monitor a group of HP Blade Servers.

Can you please advise.

Thanks.

Will

[Matti_Kurkela]

Huh? You can simultaneously open as many iLO sessions as you can comfortably handle on your screen. Just open several browser windows. This is not a new feature.

Each blade has its own iLO IP address, and nothing stops you from connecting to as many iLOs in parallel as you want.

[WMallari]

Hi MK,

Great info, then if this is the case, what is the use of connecting a KVM at the enclosure? When the network is down and to manually control the servers?

[Matti_Kurkela · Accepted solution]

A KVM can be useful when the server needs to be accessed locally, e.g. in the case of hardware maintenance, if the maintenance personnel must not be allowed access to the network.

But it is not absolutely required: in many cases, a movable maintenance cart with a keyboard + display + mouse can be used instead. It's cheaper than equipping all the server racks with KVMs, too.

The use of a KVM might be a remnant of an old site policy, that was defined at the time when iLO-type remote management was not available. In other words, "because we're always done it that way."

Or if there are strict security requirements (PCI DSS, Sarbanes-Oxley etc.) then a KVM might be a better fit to the security requirements: an operator with only KVM access (PS/2, not USB) can be effectively prevented from downloading confidential information from the servers, if the server rack is physically closed, locked and alarmed. (Taking screenshots with a separate camera is still possible, but that can be fixed by "no cameras allowed onsite" policies and security guards...)

[WMallari]

Excellent Info MK, thanks so much.