I'm nearly finished building my first unRaid, but still have some questions about initial setup.

 

It's my understanding that I can use IPMI to setup the server, install apps, etc. but I have no idea what the process is. I know that I can use Safari for this but IPMI requires some version of Java I think. Not sure which? I know Apple recommends not using java so using it on a Mac can sometimes be complicated. I'm using OSX 10.9 Mavericks if that matters. Would greatly appreciate any advice or maybe a "How-To" guide.

1st thing that really threw me was that The MB  uses a different IP address than unRaid so you have 2.  I set mine up something like this 192.168.1.150 for the MB and 192.168.1.50 for unRaid. Secondly you should be able to use Safari or Firefox to set it up if you know the MB IP Address..  Which you could find be checking your router home page, maybe like 192.168.1.1. There is default ID and PW set up.

This is the way my Supermicro MB, I'm not 100% sure of other MBs. One other thing is I ended up using 2 Cat 6 cables to connect. I could not get both IP address's to work from one port.

This is how it works with my iMac and supermicro MB....

 

Unraid setup:

Plug additional network cable into Ipmi port. My supermicro has 3 ports, 2 next to each other and one up near where the old mouse and keyboard use to plug into. The one on its own is ipmi.

 

Mac/router setup

 

Find out what IP address ipmi is on, it  will be different to the network cards used for unraid. 

Download java from web

In browser type IP address of ipmi and you'll be presented with login. My default was admin/admin, but it will tell you in MB manual.

If your MB is supermicro, you will see a screen showing what is currently on your unraid. Click on black screen and it will download a little java applet.

Click on the download in your download folder and it will launch the little remote session and you should be able to control your unraid machine.

 

That should be enough to get you going 

I'm using the SuperMicro MBD-X10SLL-F-O uATX Server Motherboard. I know it has a dedicated IPMI port. And finding the IP shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully the MAC address for each port is included with the board (being delivered today ) and I can just reserve an IP. My primary concern is getting java to work with Mavericks. I know Apple is pushing hard to force people to discontinue using java. Not sure what issues that's going to create.

 

What version of java do I need?

 

Am I correct that I can use IPMI to control the server, preclear disks, install apps and all that sort of thing? I bought a preinstalled flash from LimeTech so the server should boot without any setup (I hope). Just need to be able to configure everything.

Am I correct that I can use IPMI to control the server, preclear disks, install apps and all that sort of thing? I bought a preinstalled flash from LimeTech so the server should boot without any setup (I hope). Just need to be able to configure everything.

Don't own a Mac so can't help with that part of your questions.  But IPMI allows you to access the console of the computer so just like with telnet you can do everything that can be done from a command line prompt with IPMI.  unRAID setup is done from the browser GUI so setup of unRAID itself doesn't require a command line prompt or any type of Java.

Am I correct that I can use IPMI to control the server, preclear disks, install apps and all that sort of thing? I bought a preinstalled flash from LimeTech so the server should boot without any setup (I hope). Just need to be able to configure everything.

Don't own a Mac so can help with that part of your questions.  But IPMI allows you to access the console of the computer so just like with telnet you can do everything that can be done from a command line prompt with IPMI.  unRAID setup is done from the browser GUI so setup of unRAID itself doesn't require a command line prompt or any type of Java.

 

Maybe I'm missing something? If I can do everything via the WebGUI, I don't really see the need/advantage of using IPMI. I thought using IPMI would let me avoid using the command line but if I can use the WebGUI then I wouldn't need CLI anyway right?

Am I correct that I can use IPMI to control the server, preclear disks, install apps and all that sort of thing? I bought a preinstalled flash from LimeTech so the server should boot without any setup (I hope). Just need to be able to configure everything.

Don't own a Mac so can help with that part of your questions.  But IPMI allows you to access the console of the computer so just like with telnet you can do everything that can be done from a command line prompt with IPMI.  unRAID setup is done from the browser GUI so setup of unRAID itself doesn't require a command line prompt or any type of Java.

 

Maybe I'm missing something? If I can do everything via the WebGUI, I don't really see the need/advantage of using IPMI. I thought using IPMI would let me avoid using the command line but if I can use the WebGUI then I wouldn't need CLI anyway right?

The preclear script is a command line application so you would need the command line for that.  Preclear is not part of the unRAID setup it is a user written script that makes adding and testing drivers easier before adding them to your array.  If you add a drive and do everything from the GUI without running preclear there will be no signature written to the drive and unRAID will clear the drive itself and the array will not be accessable for the entire time that happens (10 hours for a 4TB drive for me).  Many people use screen running on unRAID and a Telnet or SSH session to give them access to the command line.  So yes you don't need IPMI.  But you cannot update your bios without attaching a monitor and keyboard if you don't have IPMI.  Plus I like to use IPMI to give me the command line rather than have to use screen and telnet into the unRAID server.

IPMI basically avoids the need to have a screen and keyboard attached to your unRAID system.  This can be very useful if you want to have the unRAID system located where physical access is not easy/convenient.

 

If you need to do things like look at/change BIOS settings, or perhaps force a poweroff/poweron sequence then IPMI allows you do this from a remote PC/Mac.

 

Note that although IPMI will also allow you to run a console session remotely, it is not necessary for this.  Once an unRAID system has been booted then you can start console sessions via telnet (e.g. terminal on a mac, Putty on Windows).

Thanks. Has anyone tried Luminous? I understand it is compatible with unraid, just not sure about how the features compare?

You don't have to use JAVA, just use your browser. I've tried both and like the browser better. The JAVA app is not the greatest on even  OS 10.4. The nice thing about IPMI is that you can start the server remotely via your browser and monitor it, voltages, CPU temps etc. The one thing the JAVA app is good for is finding new sever IP addresses and managing many servers or groups of servers from one  place.

You don't have to use JAVA, just use your browser. I've tried both and like the browser better. The JAVA app is not the greatest on even  OS 10.4. The nice thing about IPMI is that you can start the server remotely via your browser and monitor it, voltages, CPU temps etc. The one thing the JAVA app is good for is finding new sever IP addresses and managing many servers or groups of servers from one  place.

 

Just to be sure I'm understanding correctly- I just need to point Safari at the ip for the IPMI port and that's it?

Thanks. Has anyone tried Luminous? I understand it is compatible with unraid, just not sure about how the features compare?

 

I'm the developer of Luminous. It is not possible (or worth the hours of development time) to implement the manufacturer remote console as it's usually proprietary.

 

Luminous does adhere to the IPMI standards so will gather all and any sensors and display them. You will be able to restart, shut down, and power on your unRAID server as well.

 

I'll do my best to help with any further questions regarding Luminous.

Yes, just point it at the IP address and log in.

Thanks. Has anyone tried Luminous? I understand it is compatible with unraid, just not sure about how the features compare?

 

I'm the developer of Luminous. It is not possible (or worth the hours of development time) to implement the manufacturer remote console as it's usually proprietary.

 

Luminous does adhere to the IPMI standards so will gather all and any sensors and display them. You will be able to restart, shut down, and power on your unRAID server as well.

 

I'll do my best to help with any further questions regarding Luminous.

 

Thanks. With just a single server would you recommend Margarita instead? Doesn't it offer the same functions? I don't plan on maintaining multiple servers. Just exploring possibilities.

 

---

 

Yes, just point it at the IP address and log in.

 

Thanks. Guess you can tell I'm very good at making a mountain from a mole hill.

Thanks. Has anyone tried Luminous? I understand it is compatible with unraid, just not sure about how the features compare?

 

I'm the developer of Luminous. It is not possible (or worth the hours of development time) to implement the manufacturer remote console as it's usually proprietary.

 

Luminous does adhere to the IPMI standards so will gather all and any sensors and display them. You will be able to restart, shut down, and power on your unRAID server as well.

 

I'll do my best to help with any further questions regarding Luminous.

 

Thanks. With just a single server would you recommend Margarita instead? Doesn't it offer the same functions? I don't plan on maintaining multiple servers. Just exploring possibilities.

 

---

 

Margarita doesn't support IPMI, however you can enable WOL to power on your server if required. Shut down just initiates the built in software power down.