> In past experience the only time I need non-ssh access is
> for initial BIOS setup and MAC address extraction. Nowadays,
> the vendors will ship with the BIOS settings I ask for and
> also provide the MAC address externally (or I can autoextract
> from the initial PXE discovery packets).
>
We have found that vendors are very helpful there. Setting the node to PXE is a
big help, specially for new types of nodes. We require the latest firmware on
the box (so I don't have to spend countless hours upgrading firmware), and a
spreadsheet with Mac address/Asset information. We use a script to upload the
info the DB. Connect power, gigE,10gE,serial. Then on box and it starts
installing...
So if I can't ssh or rsh to the box. I try the serial console. If that does not
work I look at the history of what's been going on (serial buffer). If I have
to reboot at this point I can try the ILO/LOM/ROAMER/DRAC, etc. If that does
not work I can remote cut the power. If that does not work, THEN I get off my
all-too-comfy chair and head to the cluster room.
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