I just purchased a SuperMicro X8DTE board.  This is the first time I purchased a motherboard specifically for UNRAID.  Unfortunately, I did not get the X8DTE-F version which supports IPMI.  I didn't know what IPMI was when I made the purchase.  It seems like a neat feature, I am just looking for some feedback from those who have it on how useful it is, and whether or not I should change my re-build plans to include it.

It depends. I could not live without it.  My servers sit in a rack, without easy access to the console.  I can do everything from my desk, or from 3000 miles away if necessary.

It really depends on whether want to run the unRAID server headless or not.    If you want to run headless all the time then IPMI allows you to do the things that would normally require an attached keyboard/monitor (such as seeing BIOS messages).

I have been running it headless for years.  I only ever go to the rack when I have an issue like upgrading a drive.  That said, I could probably save some power if I had better control of the fans, etc. 

 

It seems pretty cool.

I can't be bothered with spending the extra $$ to get IPMI.  The servers are stuck away in a corner of the furnace room, and just have an old POS monitor (not turned on) and keyboard sitting there.

 

Sure once a year it would be nice for when something happens and I need to push the power switch or reset switch or even more rarely having to hit the BIOS and I'm out of town, but that's why I have a wife.