IMM fails to acquire IP address from Windows DHCP Server - IBM System x

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H196656

Symptom

On Integrated Management Module (IMM) based servers, if the IMM is configured to be Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enabled and to use a Shared Port, it may fail to acquire an Internet Protocol (IP) address from a Windows based DHCP server.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• System x3200 M3, type 7327, any model
• System x3200 M3, type 7328, any model
• System x3250 M3, type 4251, any model
• System x3250 M3, type 4252, any model
• System x3250 M3, type 4261, any model
• System x3400 M2, type 7836, any model
• System x3400 M2, type 7837, any model
• System x3500 M2, type 7839, any model
• System x3550 M2, type 4198, any model
• System x3550 M2, type 7946, any model
• System x3650 M2, type 4199, any model
• System x3650 M2, type 7947, any model
• iDataPlex dx360 M2 Server, type 6380, any model
• iDataPlex dx360 M2 Server, type 7321, any model
• iDataPlex dx360 M2 Server, type 7323, any model

This tip is not software specific.
This tip is not option specific.

• The YUOO48D firmware for the IMM is affected.

Solution

This behavior will be corrected in a future release of IMM firmware.

The target date for this release is scheduled for first quarter 2010.

The file will be available from the IBM System x Support Web site at the following URL:

Workaround

There are three (3) possible Workarounds for this issue:

1. Use a Linux based DHCP server.
   
   
2. Configure the IMM to use the Dedicated Port if one is available on the server in question.
   
   
3. Configure the IMM to use a Static IP address.
   

Additional information

The IMM may be configured by pressing F1, and then selecting System Configuration --> System Settings --> Integrated Management Module --> Network Configuration --> Network Interface Port to use a Shared Port (shared with an on-board NIC) or on some servers a Dedicated Port. On the same Network Configuration page, DHCP Control may be set to Static IP or DHCP (with or without failover to a static IP).