I've never tried to update my SuperMicro motherboard BIOS's through IPMI before but it appears you need a license to use this feature? Can someone comment on how this license is obtained and if it's even worth it?
SuperMicro IPMI BIOS Updating - License needed?
- Thread starter IamSpartacus
- Start date
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It is a licensed feature that I think you'd need to get from a reseller or SM. I just use a DOS CD since that's easier.
You can get a single license by reaching out to SM for a demo. I did this for a board that had a BIOS update freeze part way through. Once you have the feature it's great, but I wouldn't pay for it normally. As mentioned with iKVM and virtual media it's almost as easy and it's free.
If memory serves you also need some kind of activation server or management app or something, right?
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but can anyone tell me two things about this process:
1. Does the IPMI-based (i.e. licensed) need a CPU installed to use this BIOS update method? [Support alluded to the answer being "no".]
2. Some people use DOS and a virtual disk via IPMI. I assume this *does* need a CPU as it's a more traditional BIOS upgrade process?
Sorry for being dense on this. I want to be prepared if I get a new Supermicro board that needs a new BIOS for E5-26xx v4 CPUs. I don't have a spare v3 chip.
Thanks,
Brad
1. Does the IPMI-based (i.e. licensed) need a CPU installed to use this BIOS update method? [Support alluded to the answer being "no".]
2. Some people use DOS and a virtual disk via IPMI. I assume this *does* need a CPU as it's a more traditional BIOS upgrade process?
Sorry for being dense on this. I want to be prepared if I get a new Supermicro board that needs a new BIOS for E5-26xx v4 CPUs. I don't have a spare v3 chip.
Thanks,
Brad
Thanks, everyone, for the confirmation.
It's unfortunate Supermicro doesn't make method #1 free. Why have customers order a BMC MAC-specific SFT-OOB-LIC license from an authorized vendor just to use a product? Sure, it's < $20 USD but that's my point.
It's unfortunate Supermicro doesn't make method #1 free. Why have customers order a BMC MAC-specific SFT-OOB-LIC license from an authorized vendor just to use a product? Sure, it's < $20 USD but that's my point.
Ahh. Guess I don't know this part of the industry well. My work keeps me above the hardware level. Home is where I pretend to be like you all.
I'm not part of the industry either I just have paid $100 for Intels management port/cable/key and looked into other 'branded' management and then realized SM gives you most of what you need, esp. for a home user If you use iPMiView then you're really missing just the BIOS update and power management. I've been meaning to e-mail sales rep to find out what 'power management' does on a SM board as I've not seen anything visually I can't do so I'm thinking it may be an add-on to theier data center management app that also cost $$. Might be worthwhile to start another thread there's 3-4 SUperMicro 'licenses' you can get, the 4th may include the other 3 I forget but it's something I looked at.
$20 for OOB (bios update)
$40 iirc for power management
$120 iirc for 'manager app'
$20 for something else I forget lol
ALSO, SM does it by MAC so your used mobo MIGHT have it already... I think you won't know unless you try it, not 100% on this. May be worthwhile emailing asking if it needs changed/updated or someone here can provide some info.. I'm curious if any of my x9s have it too lol
If you use iPMiView then you're really missing just the BIOS update and power management. I've been meaning to e-mail sales rep to find out what 'power management' does on a SM board as I've not seen anything visually I can't do so I'm thinking it may be an add-on to theier data center management app that also cost $$. Might be worthwhile to start another thread there's 3-4 SUperMicro 'licenses' you can get, the 4th may include the other 3 I forget but it's something I looked at.$20 for OOB (bios update)
$40 iirc for power management
$120 iirc for 'manager app'
$20 for something else I forget lol
ALSO, SM does it by MAC so your used mobo MIGHT have it already... I think you won't know unless you try it, not 100% on this. May be worthwhile emailing asking if it needs changed/updated or someone here can provide some info.. I'm curious if any of my x9s have it too lol
The "power management" license allows you to manage & monitor everthing power related with the spm software from a central host: Supermicro Power Manager (SPM) | Supermicro Server Management Utilities | Products - Super Micro Computer, Inc.