remote serial console connection failed from firefox

[Herta]

My desktop computer runs linux. I have firefox 2.0.0.11 installed with a plugin for java 6.3. I can open the MP/iLO connection to my rx2660, change users, connect virtual media, etc. But when I want to connect to the remote serial console, a black window pops up with "Attempting Connection. Please wait." in the status bar. After a little under 3 minutes, a Java applet window pops up with the messages:

Connection failed
Connect failed
Connection timed out

I can connect to the remote console using ssh, but I'm at a loss as to how to configure remote media that way.

Any ideas on how to debug this? Tips (or pointers to documentation) on how to connect a remote DVD through an ssh session are also more than welcome.

Kind regards,

Herta

[Torsten.]

For using vMedia it is absolutely OK to use a browser (because of no other way), but for the serial console I would not do this.
This is normally such slow - even you have 10 sec time to press a key the time is over before you read the message.
Regarding your problem: it is maybe either disabled or you have a java problem. This would not be a surprise for everyone who knows java.
IMHO I would use ssh to connect to the console.

Here is a list of supported browsers, but I guess you will not be happy with this:

http://docs.hp.com/en/5991-6005/ch01s04.html

[Ivan Krastev]

If you have proxy in your browser set SOCKS as well.

Java applets use that settings.


regards,
ivan

[Matti_Kurkela]

Note that the console access requires a connection to a specific port. For a BL860c, the default port for web-based remote serial console is 2023, but it can be changed using the MP/iLO administration interface.

The Java applet error suggests that there may be a firewall that allows the use of the basic MP/iLO web interface (i.e. port 80/443 is allowed) but the port required for serial console traffic is blocked.

MK

[Herta]

Thanks for all your answers, but unfortunately, I'm still stuck.

----
Torsten, but I'm not sure I understand your point.

If by "the serial console" you're referring to the RS-232 interface, then it would indeed be madness to use virtual media. But I'm trying to use the iLOs Remote Serial Console, which afaik, uses the tcp/ip stack.

Java is working fine in the browser. The java applet window pop-up offers proof of that.

And, unless HP is finicky about versions, the browser *is* supported.

Yes, I can use ssh, but my servers are in a secure area quite a distance from my desk. Some will even be in another town. So I really need access to the virtual media.

----
Ivan, thanks for the suggestion, but I'm using a direct connection. No proxy involved. And as already pointed out, the java applet works. It's the one that gave me the error.

----
Matti, that was my first reaction as well, but tcpdump only shows connections to port 443, which is also the port that is used by the rest of the iLO interface.

Kind regards,

Herta

[Herta]

Matti,

I found the place in the iLO where the port is defined, and you're right: it does use 2023, Looking closer at my dump, I now see the 7 lines (out of 13576) connecting to 2023. :-(
I've asked the security team to open the port, and the console works just fine now.

Would you please react to this reply, so that I can award you the proper points?

Thanks and kind regards,

Herta

[Matti_Kurkela · Accepted solution]

Nice to hear that your problem is resolved.

By the way, I see you're new around here. Welcome to the ITRC Forums!

MK