IPMI networking - too many ports used?

[awedio]

In my DC rack, I have 6x SMicro SYS-2029BT-HNR (4 node 2U servers) & a few other SM servers.
These 6 servers alone will consume 48 ports of IPMI switching, which means I need at least 2 switches to take care of all my IPMI needs.

What is everyone else doing?
Is there a better way to "solve" this issue?

@Patrick

 

[TonyArrr]

Huh, I never realised that multi-node servers would actually have an IPMI per node…

 

[i386]

I'm a little bit confused
6servers * 4ports/server = 24ports. why would it take up 48 or more ports?

 

[nabsltd]

Since all your IPMI connections should be on the same VLAN, get the cheapest switch (it doesn't have to be managed) with the number of ports you need and plug them into that. Then, plug that switch into a managed switch and configure the uplink port with the correct PVID, and allow untagged packets.

The "IPMI switch" could even have 100Mbps ports, as most IPMI isn't even 1Gbps. Newer ones that are that fast probably don't need the speed.

 

[awedio]

I'm a little bit confused
6servers * 4ports/server = 24ports. why would it take up 48 or more ports?

My bad, my math was off, you are correct.
48 is my total (includes all servers)

 

[awedio]

Since all your IPMI connections should be on the same VLAN, get the cheapest switch (it doesn't have to be managed) with the number of ports you need and plug them into that. Then, plug that switch into a managed switch and configure the uplink port with the correct PVID, and allow untagged packets.

The "IPMI switch" could even have 100Mbps ports, as most IPMI isn't even 1Gbps. Newer ones that are that fast probably don't need the speed.

You're right, speed isn't an issue.
I thought I might be able to reduce the quantity of ports consumed!

 

[BlueFox]

If you really don't have space for another switch, you don't have to use the dedicated IPMI ports. You can share with the primary NIC and just set a different VLAN for it in the UEFI settings.