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IPMI Connection

Troubleshooting Center

# IPMI Connection Troubleshooting

If the IPMI connection fails during the Test IPMI Connection check or while performing remote power actions in EasyDCIM, you may encounter the following error in the device logs: [IPMI] Connection failed. Please check IPMI credentials.

Even if you can successfully log in directly to the server's manufacturer web interface (e.g., iDRAC, iLO) and use the noVNC KVM console, EasyDCIM might still fail to connect. This happens because EasyDCIM relies on the ipmitool command-line utility, which requires specific protocol support.

Please verify the following common causes:

# 1. IPMI over LAN is Disabled

The most common reason for the [IPMI] Connection failed. Please check IPMI credentials. error is that IPMI over LAN is disabled in the server's BMC/iDRAC panel, even though HTTP/Web access is enabled.

EasyDCIM executes remote commands via the IPMI v2 / RMCP+ protocol. By default, vendors like Dell (iDRAC) or Supermicro may have this protocol disabled for security reasons.

To diagnose this: Log into your EasyDCIM or Remote Agent server via SSH and manually test the connection using ipmitool:

ipmitool -U<username> -H<IP_address> -P<password> -Ilanplus chassis status

If the command returns: Error: Unable to establish IPMI v2 / RMCP+ session It means the server is actively rejecting the IPMI v2 connection.

Solution:

  1. Log into the server's manufacturer web interface (e.g., iDRAC, iLO, BMC).
  2. Navigate to Network Settings -> IPMI Settings.
  3. Ensure the IPMI over LAN (or Enable IPMI over LAN) option is checked and enabled.
  4. Save the settings and retry the connection in EasyDCIM.

For Dell iDRAC, this option is typically located under:

  • iDRAC 8: iDRAC Settings > Network > IPMI Settings > Enable IPMI Over LAN
  • iDRAC 9: iDRAC Settings > Connectivity > Network > IPMI Settings > Enable IPMI Over LAN

# 2. Invalid Credentials or IP Address

  • Double-check that the provided IPMI IP Address, Username, and Password are strictly correct in EasyDCIM.
  • Note that some older IPMI implementations have password length limits (e.g., maximum 16 or 20 characters). If your password is very long, it might work in the web UI but fail via ipmitool.

# 3. Firewall / Port Blocking

  • Verify that UDP port 623 (the default IPMI port) is open and not blocked by any firewall between EasyDCIM (or the Remote Agent) and the server's IPMI interface.
  • The ipmitool relies exclusively on UDP port 623 for communication.