HOWTO use a Remote Insight Lights-Out edition for a headless, remote Linux installation

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This document describes how to install Linux on a headless ProLiant server from the new HP with a Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition card without physical access to the system. The installation is done remotely through the use of a Java-enabled browser.

This document is a quick guide which shows how to install Linux on a remote, headless ProLiant server system equipped with a Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition card without needing physical access to the system.

This document further describes how to use a virtual floppy disk for the initial install of Linux, and to setup an Apache server to provide the distribution media for completing the installation.

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©2000 Hewlett-Packard Company

The information in this publication is subject to change without notice and is provided "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS INFORMATION REMAINS WITH RECIPIENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL COMPAQ BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION), EVEN IF COMPAQ HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

The limited warranties for Compaq products are exclusively set forth in the documentation accompanying such products. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting a further or additional warranty.

This publication does not constitute an endorsement of the product or products that were tested. The configuration or configurations tested or described may or may not be the only available solution. This test is not a determination or product quality or correctness, nor does it ensure compliance with any federal, state, or local requirements.

This document may be distributed under the terms set forth in the LDP license at sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/COPYRIGHT.html.

This HOWTO is free documentation; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the Linux Document Project (LDP) license. This document is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but without any warranty; without even the implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. See the LDP license for more details.

The Remote Insight Lights-Out is an optional management PCI card with a dedicated LAN connection. It provides full access and control of servers even when the server is in a failed state.

The key features of the Remote Insight Lights-Out card:

• Self-contained with on-board processor, memory, NIC, and ROM
• External power adapter ensures continuous server access
• Enables 'headless' server deployments in data centers
• Virtual Floppy Drive allows host server to remotely boot from a standard 1.44 MB floppy diskette in a network client, enabling remote OS installation from a network drive, and remote server ROM updates
• Full control of your server with browser-based, virtual graphical remote console
• No additional software required for ProLiant servers - the client just requires a browser that supports Java.
• Virtual Power Button provides full control of remote server power state - turn your server on or off remotely
• Remote Reboot allows cold reboot when system is not responding.
• SSL encryption of HTTP data before transmitting over the network
• Dedicated, low-bandwidth network connection provides secure access over LAN
• Group administration for user accounts

To get more information about the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition see the HP web page at http://www.compaq.com/lights-out