Resolving a BMC access problem

Learn how to identify the service action that is needed to resolve a baseboard management controller (BMC) access problem.

1. Ensure that the BMC password is not set to the default password. For information about changing the default password, see Logging on to the BMC GUI. Does the problem persist?

   If	Then
   Yes:	Continue with the next step.
   No:	This ends the procedure.

2. Are both ends of the network cable seated securely?

   If	Then
   Yes:	Continue with the next step.
   No:	Seat both ends of the cable securely. If the problem persists, continue with the next step.

3. Power off the system and disconnect all ac power cords for 30 seconds. Then, reconnect the ac power cords and power on the system. Does the BMC access problem persist?

   If	Then
   Yes:	Continue with the next step.
   No:	This ends the procedure.

4. Verify that the BMC network settings are correct.
   1. Power on the system by using the power button on the front of the system. Wait 1 - 2 minutes for the system to display the Petitboot menu.
   2. When the Petitboot menu is displayed, press any key to interrupt the boot process. Then, select Exit to Shell.
   3. Type the following command and press Enter:

      ipmitool lan print 1

   4. Verify that the MAC address and the IP address settings are correct. Then, continue with the next step.
      Note: If the IP address setting is incorrect, go to Configuring the firmware IP address website. If the MAC address is 00:00:00:00:00:00, go to Contacting IBM service and support.
5. Are you able to log in to the BMC web interface?

   If	Then
   Yes:	To update the BMC firmware, click Maintenance > Firmware update. Select the firmware file and click upload. If the problem persists, go to step 12.
   No:	Continue with the next step.

6. Complete the following steps:
   1. Connect a VGA monitor to the system.
   2. Press the power button to power on the system.
   3. Boot the system to the Petitboot menu. From the Petitboot menu, select Exit to shell.
7. Are you mounting the storage that contains the pUpdate utility and the BMC firmware file from a network storage location?

   If	Then
   Yes:	Continue with the next step.
   No:	Go to step 9.

8. To update the BMC firmware by using a network storage location, complete the following steps:
   1. Type mkdir /tmp/media and press Enter.
   2. Type the following command and press Enter:

      mount -t nfs xxx.xxx.xx.xx:/path/of/files /tmp/media, where xxx.xxx.xx.xx is the IP address of the system to which you want to establish the connection.

   3. Type cd /tmp/media and press Enter.
   4. To update the BMC firmware, type the following command and press Enter:

      ./pUpdate -f bmc.bin -i bt, where bmc.bin is the name of the BMC image file.

   5. Allow at least 2 minutes for the BMC to reboot. Does the problem persist?

   If	Then
   Yes:	Go to step 12.
   No:	This ends the procedure.

9. Update the BMC firmware by using a USB device. Complete the following steps:
   1. Ensure that the USB device is formatted by using the VFAT file system.
   2. Insert the USB device into the system if you have not already done so.
   3. Type mount and press Enter.
   Is the following output displayed?

   /dev/mapper/sdb1 mounted on /var/petitboot/mnt/dev/sdb1

   If	Then
   Yes:	Continue with the next step.
   No:	Go to step 11.

10. Complete the following steps:
    1. Type cd /var/petitboot/mnt/dev/sdb1 and press Enter.
    2. To update the BMC firmware, type the following command and press Enter:

       ./pUpdate -f bmc.bin -i bt, where bmc.bin is the name of the BMC image file.

    3. Allow at least 2 minutes for the BMC to reboot. Does the problem persist?

    If	Then
    Yes:	Go to step 12.
    No:	This ends the procedure.

11. Complete the following steps:
    1. Type mkdir /tmp/media and press Enter.
    2. Type mount /dev/mapper/sdb1 /tmp/media and press Enter.
    3. Type cd /tmp/media and press Enter.
    4. To update the BMC firmware, type the following command and press Enter:

       ./pUpdate -f bmc.bin -i bt, where bmc.bin is the name of the BMC image file.

    5. Allow at least 2 minutes for the BMC to reboot. Does the problem persist?

    If	Then
    Yes:	Go to step 12.
    No:	This ends the procedure.

12. Replace the system backplane.
    • If your system is an 8001-12C or 8005-12N, go to 8001-12C or 8005-12N locations to identify the physical location and the removal and replacement procedure. This ends the procedure.
    • If your system is an 8001-22C or 8005-22N, go to 8001-22C or 8005-22N locations to identify the physical location and the removal and replacement procedure. This ends the procedure.