The installation of an operating system (OS) on a remote server can be complex without direct physical access. Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) is a crucial tool that allows administrators to remotely manage and perform operations like installing an OS. In this blog post, we will discuss the process of installing Ubuntu 22.04 on a server using IPMI.

What is IPMI?

Before proceeding further, let’s first understand more about IPMI. IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) is an interface used for managing computer systems, and servers and monitoring their operations remotely. It allows system administrators to access a server independently of the OS, even when the server is powered off or unresponsive. IPMI is typically embedded into a server’s hardware (motherboard) and is accessed through a network port.

Key Features of IPMI

Remote Management

IPMI allows administrators to remotely monitor and manage servers. This includes power control (on, off, reset), viewing system health (temperatures, voltages, fan speeds), and accessing system event logs.

Out-of-Band Management

It operates independently of the main CPU, OS, and network stack, providing a reliable means of accessing and controlling servers even during system failures or network issues.

Console Redirection

Administrators can access a server's console remotely through IPMI, allowing BIOS-level access and troubleshooting as if physically present at the server.

Virtual Media Support

IPMI supports virtual media, enabling administrators to remotely mount CD/DVD images or floppy disk images to the server, facilitating OS installations and software updates.

Security Features

IPMI provides security features such as encryption, authentication mechanisms (like password protection and user access control), and firewall settings to protect remote management traffic.

Where Do We Use IPMI?

IPMI is commonly used in data centers and enterprise environments where physical access to servers may be limited. It's especially useful in the following scenarios:

• Remote server management: Managing servers located in different geographic regions.
• Troubleshooting system failures: IPMI allows administrators to access a system even if the OS has crashed or the server is otherwise inaccessible.
• OS installation and updates: IPMI enables the remote mounting of ISO files for installing or updating operating systems without being physically present.
• Server health monitoring: IPMI can alert administrators of hardware issues or failures, allowing proactive management.

Benefits of IPMI

Remote Server Access

IPMI enables administrators to manage and troubleshoot servers remotely, even if the operating system is unresponsive or the server is powered off. This minimizes the need for physical presence and speeds up issue resolution.

Reduced Downtime

With IPMI, administrators can quickly reboot, power cycle, or troubleshoot servers during outages. Faster response times mean reduced server downtime, improving overall system availability.

Out-of-Band-Management

IPMI operates independently of the server's CPU and OS, allowing system access when in-band management (through the OS) is not possible. This ensures continuous management capabilities even during failures or crashes.

Proactive Monitoring and Alerts

IPMI continuously monitors hardware health (temperature, voltage, fan speeds) and can send alerts to admins about potential issues. Proactive alerts help prevent hardware failures, ensuring system stability and reducing unexpected outages.

Improved Troubleshooting

Features like Serial-over-LAN (SOL) and remote console redirection allow admins to view boot processes, BIOS settings, and diagnose problems as if physically present at the server. This improves the speed and effectiveness of troubleshooting.

Energy Efficiency

IPMI can monitor and manage power consumption, giving administrators insight into server energy usage. This enables better energy management, reducing costs in data center environments by optimizing power consumption.

Limitations of IPMI

1. Security Vulnerabilities: Since IPMI operates at a low level, it can potentially be exploited if not properly secured. It is critical to implement strong security protocols such as firewall rules and secure passwords.
2. Limited Bandwidth: The remote console (KVM) experience can sometimes be sluggish, particularly over slow or high-latency network connections.
3. Requires Java or Browser Compatibility: Some IPMI interfaces require Java or certain browser plugins, which can cause compatibility issues with modern systems.
4. Not Always User-Friendly: IPMI interfaces can sometimes be unintuitive, requiring specialized knowledge to operate effectively.

Steps to Install Ubuntu 22.04 Using IPMI

To install Ubuntu 22.04 using IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) on a server, follow these steps:

Requirements:

1. IPMI Access to the server.
2. Ubuntu 22.04 ISO file (which you can download from the official Ubuntu website).
3. Java Runtime (for launching IPMI remote console).

Steps:

1. Access the IPMI Interface
   • Login to the IPMI web interface using the provided IP address and login credentials by the admin.

2. Launch the IPMI Console

• Look for the "Remote Control" or "Remote Console" tab in the IPMI dashboard.
• Launch the KVM Console (Java based application). Make sure Java is enabled.

3. Mount the Ubuntu 22.04 ISO

• In the KVM Console, locate the option for Virtual Media or Media Redirection.
• Select the option to attach an ISO or mount image.
  • Browse for the Ubuntu 22.04 ISO file you downloaded earlier and attach it to the virtual drive.

4. Reboot the Server

• Go to the Power or Reset section of the IPMI interface and reboot the server.
• Ensure that the boot order is set to prioritize booting from the virtual drive (CD-ROM). If not, adjust the boot settings to prioritize it.
• Remember to press F11 key to enter Boot Menu.
• Select the Virtual CDROM option when asked.

5. Start the Ubuntu Installation

• Select the Try or Install Ubuntu server from the screen as shown.

6. Install Ubuntu 22.04

• Select Install Ubuntu from the installation menu.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to:
  • Choose the installation language.
  • Select your time zone.
  • Configure your network settings (IP, Subnet and Gateway)
  • Choose disk partitioning (We use Raid 1 type).

• Set up a username and password.

7. Complete Installation

• Once the installation is done, the system will prompt you to reboot.
• Before rebooting, unmount the ISO from the IPMI virtual drive to allow the system to boot from the installed OS.

8. First Boot and Configuration

• After rebooting, server will boot into the fresh Ubuntu 22.04 installation.
• You can now proceed with further configurations such as:
  • Updating packages (sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade).
  • Installing any additional software or dependencies.

9. Additional Steps

Now add the root user and set a password 

• Use sudo -i
• sudo passwd (set new password)
• Now type nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
• Find the line that says PermitRootLogin prohibit-password and change it to: PermitRootLogin yes
• Finally, restart the SSH service to apply the changes: systemctl restart sshd
• Now we can access the server using ssh login or Putty.

In conclusion, installing Ubuntu 22.04 using IPMI on a server is a highly efficient and reliable method for deploying an operating system remotely. IPMI’s out-of-band management capabilities allow administrators to easily access the server’s console, mount installation media virtually, and control the entire installation process without physical presence. This approach significantly reduces downtime, simplifies server setup, and enhances security by enabling secure, remote access.