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Managing a node remotely using the SP/BMC

You can manage a node remotely using an onboard controller, called a Service Processor (SP) or Baseboard Management Controller (BMC). This remote management controller is included in all current platform models. The controller stays operational regardless of the operating state of the node.

  • Understanding the SP
    The Service Processor (SP) is a remote management device that enables you to access, monitor, and troubleshoot a node remotely.
  • What the Baseboard Management Controller does
  • Configuring the SP/BMC network
    Configuring the SP network enables you to access the SP by using its IP address. You can set up the SP automatic network configuration at the cluster level (recommended) or manually configure the SP network for individual nodes.
  • Methods of managing SP/BMC firmware updates
    ONTAP includes an SP firmware image that is called the baseline image. If a new version of the SP firmware becomes subsequently available, you have the option to download it and update the SP firmware to the downloaded version without upgrading the ONTAP version.
  • Accessing the SP/BMC
    A cluster user account that is configured with the service-processor application type can access the SP from an administration host (using an SSH connection) or the serial console. ONTAP enables you to restrict SSH access of the SP to only the administration hosts with specific IP addresses.
  • Using online help at the SP/BMC CLI
    The online help displays the SP/BMC CLI commands and options.
  • Commands for managing a node remotely
    You can manage a node remotely by accessing its SP and running SP CLI commands to perform node-management tasks. For several commonly performed remote node-management tasks, you can also use ONTAP commands from another node in the cluster. Some SP commands are platform-specific and might not be available on your platform.
  • Commands for managing the SP from ONTAP
    ONTAP provides commands for managing the SP, including the SP network configuration, SP firmware image, SSH access to the SP, and general SP administration.
  • ONTAP commands for BMC management
    These ONTAP commands are supported on the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC).
  • BMC CLI commands
    You can log into the BMC using SSH. The following commands are supported from the BMC command line.