Server management technology moves forward

This week we take a look at a technology many would describe as mundane but few would dispute its growing importance.   The Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) technology is a message-based hardware management interface implemented in silicon that industry observers say is becoming increasingly useful as organizations look for ways to streamline management and cut costs in the data center.

This week we take a look at a technology many would describe as mundane but few would dispute its growing importance. 

The Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) technology is a message-based hardware management interface implemented in silicon that industry observers say is becoming increasingly useful as organizations look for ways to streamline management and cut costs in the data center.

IPMI defines how to monitor basic server parts such as CPU, fan, voltage and temperature. Analysts say it can help reduce costs by letting administrators remotely manage, diagnose and reboot servers whether the operating system is running or has crashed. It does this regardless of platform.

Dell, HP, Intel and NEC developed the standard in 1998 to provide an alternative to the proprietary management tools each server manufacturer offers. Since then about 150 vendors have adopted IPMI to enable cross-platform management.

According to OSA Technologies, 30% of all servers shipped worldwide have IPMI, and the numbers are predicted to be at 70% by year-end 2004.

Users might have IPMI running on their servers and not even know it. Today, systems vendors for the most part do not actively promote the standard, although it increasingly is being embedded into servers, storage and other network devices, our author (jmears@nww.com) says.

Find out more. Read: https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2003/1201ipmi.html