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This month we round out our top ten with the final five scenarios to help you reduce data centre cluttering and address inefficiencies, as well as sophisticated strategies for remote deployment of sensitive servers, integration, and power and heat monitoring.

Managing cabling in the data centre is difficult to do efficiently. This not only causes space problems but also slows down troubleshooting and installation. Remote console products that add more cables and switches take up more space with cables and connectors and add more hardware.

HP iLO requires no more than one Ethernet cable connection when using the dedicated NIC and existing network infrastructure. HP iLO 2 Shared Network Port allows both the management and production data to share the same wire, eliminating the need for any extra cables or network switch ports.

Many enterprise customers have embraced Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to enable automated, scalable server deployment to meet the challenges of rapid server growth. However, for some customers, corporate policy prevents the use of these protocols on IT networks. Many automated server deployment tools require PXE or DHCP, making automation difficult.

HP iLO and HP iLO 2 Virtual Media are scriptable, allowing for the automation of server deployment without PXE and DHCP. This allows customers to establish a virtual media server on their network from which multiple HP iLO management processors can be programmatically instructed to install standard images. This HP capability is unique among embedded management processors and allows you to deploy multiple servers simultaneously over a network in an unattended fashion.

Remote management of servers in a corporate DMZ is inherently challenging. These servers must be secure both physically and logically. Opening additional ports in the firewall for management compromises security. Typically, these servers are installed in facilities with highly restricted access so even physically visiting the server for administration and maintenance may not be practical. These situations require a server that can be managed over an out-of-band path on a separate sub-network.

HP iLO and HP iLO 2 allow customers to deploy DMZ servers without compromising their remote management. With its unique MAC, IP address and dedicated NIC, a management network that is physically and logically isolated from the production network can be implemented. With HP iLO 2, it is possible to use a high performance Virtual KVM (Keyboard/Video/Mouse) remote console and Virtual Power control over a separate network. In addition, HP iLO and iLO 2 SNMP pass-through enables management communication between the server and management consoles like HP Systems Insight Manager (HP SIM) to be routed over the HP iLO management network.

Power consumption and data centre cooling requirements are an increasing problem. Customers have few tools at the server level to collect data to analyse and manage data centre power usage and heat generation. Most data must be collected externally with equipment that is costly to install and makes for difficult data collection. Customers need the ability to collect and analyse power and heat data from the source without setting up and monitoring additional collection instruments.

HP iLO 2 provides a new embedded monitoring and collecting mechanism for power and heat data. HP iLO 2 exposes present and historical power and heat information that can be invaluable in understanding and managing power and cooling in data centres. It also allows this data collection to be automated and centralised through scripting.

To improve efficiency and support rapid change, customers are increasingly automating IT processes. These processes are dependent upon the ability to control server operations such as power, and retrieve certain system information such as configurations. These capabilities may be required whether an operating system is present or not so management agents and operating systems are not always suitable.

HP iLO and HP iLO 2 scripting allows virtually any control to be programmed and a wide range of server information to be retrieved. This allows in-house custom tools and other third-party automation tools to incorporate controls like Virtual Power to be used in processes such as deployment and provisioning.

For more information:

»  Dynamic host Configuration Protocol
»  HP iLO and HP iLO 2
»  HP Systems Insight Manager
»  Read Top 10 scenarios for Lights-Out, part 1
»  Read Top 10 scenarios for Lights-Out, part 2