Configuring Network-Related Settings

This chapter includes the following sections:

Server NIC Configuration

Server NICs

Two NIC modes are available for connection to the CIMC. In one mode, you can also choose an active-active or active-standby redundancy mode, depending on your platform.

NIC Mode


  • Dedicated—A connection to the CIMC is available through the management Ethernet port or ports.

  • Shared LOM—A connection to the CIMC is available only through the LAN On Motherboard (LOM) Ethernet host ports.

    Note


    In shared LOM mode, all host ports must belong to the same subnet.
  • Shipping (if supported)—A connection to the CIMC is available through the management Ethernet port or ports using a limited factory default configuration.

    Note


    Shipping mode is intended only for your initial connection to the CIMC. Configure another mode for operation.

NIC Redundancy


  • None—Redundancy is not available.

  • Active-Active—All Ethernet ports operate simultaneously. This mode provides multiple paths to the CIMC.

  • Active-Standby—One port fails over to the other.

The available redundancy modes vary depending on the selected network mode and your platform. For the available modes, see the Installation and Service Guide for your platform.

Configuring Server NICs

Configure a server NIC when you want to set the NIC mode and NIC redundancy.

Before You Begin

You must log in as a user with admin privileges to configure the NIC.


Procedure
Step 1   In the Navigation pane, click the Admin tab.
Step 2   On the Admin tab, click Network.
Step 3   In the Network pane, click the Network Settings tab.
Step 4   In the NIC Properties area, update the following properties:
Name Description

NIC Mode drop-down list

The NIC mode. This can be:


  • Dedicated—The management port is used to access the CIMC.

  • Shared LOM—The LOM (LAN On Motherboard) ports are used to access the CIMC.

  • Shipping—The out-of-the-box defaults will be used for all options.

    Note   

    This option is only available for some C-Series servers.

NIC Redundancy drop-down list

The NIC redundancy options depend on the mode chosen in the NIC Mode drop-down list. If you do not see a particular option, then it is not available for the selected mode.

The available options are:


  • None—Each port associated with the configured NIC mode operates independently. The ports do not failover if there is a problem.

  • active-active—If supported, all ports associated with the configured NIC mode operate simultaneously. This increases throughput and provides multiple paths to the CIMC.

  • active-standby—If a port associated with the configured NIC mode fails, traffic will failover to one of the other ports associated with the NIC mode.

    Note   

    If you select this option, make sure all ports associated with the configured NIC mode are connected to the same subnet to ensure that traffic is secure regardless of which port is used.

MAC Address field

The MAC address of the CIMC network interface selected in the NIC Mode field.

Step 5   Click Save Changes.

Configuring Common Properties

Use common properties to describe your server.

Before You Begin

You must log in as a user with admin privileges to configure common properties.


Procedure
Step 1   In the Navigation pane, click the Admin tab.
Step 2   On the Admin tab, click Network.
Step 3   In the Network pane, click the Network Settings tab.
Step 4   In the Hostname field, enter the name of the host.
Step 5   Click Save Changes.

Configuring IPv4

Before You Begin

You must log in as a user with admin privileges to configure IPv4.


Procedure
Step 1   In the Navigation pane, click the Admin tab.
Step 2   On the Admin tab, click Network.
Step 3   In the Network pane, click the Network Settings tab.
Step 4   In the IPv4 Properties area, update the following properties:
Name Description

Enable IPv4 check box

If checked, IPv4 is enabled.

Use DHCP check box

If checked, the CIMC uses DHCP.

IP Address field

The IP address for the CIMC.

Subnet Mask field

The subnet mask for the IP address.

Gateway field

The gateway for the IP address.

Obtain DNS Server Addresses from DHCP check box

If checked, the CIMC retrieves the DNS server addresses from DHCP.

Preferred DNS Server field

The IP address of the primary DNS server.

Alternate DNS Server field

The IP address of the secondary DNS server.

Step 5   Click Save Changes.

Connecting to a VLAN

Before You Begin

You must be logged in as admin to connect to a VLAN.


Procedure
Step 1   In the Navigation pane, click the Admin tab.
Step 2   On the Admin tab, click Network.
Step 3   In the Network pane, click the Network Settings tab.
Step 4   In the VLAN Properties area, update the following properties:
Name Description

Enable VLAN check box

If checked, the CIMC is connected to a virtual LAN.

VLAN ID field

The VLAN ID.

Priority field

The priority of this system on the VLAN.

Step 5   Click Save Changes.

Network Security Configuration

Network Security

The CIMC uses IP blocking as network security. IP blocking prevents the connection between a server or website and certain IP addresses or ranges of addresses. IP blocking effectively bans undesired connections from those computers to a website, mail server, or other Internet servers.

IP banning is commonly used to protect against denial of service (DoS) attacks. CIMC bans IP addresses by setting up an IP blocking fail count.

Configuring Network Security

Configure network security if you want to set up an IP blocking fail count.

Before You Begin

You must log in as a user with admin privileges to configure network security.


Procedure
Step 1   In the Navigation pane, click the Admin tab.
Step 2   On the Admin tab, click Network.
Step 3   In the Network pane, click the Network Security tab.
Step 4   In the IP Blocking Properties area, update the following properties:
Name Description

Enable IP Blocking check box

Check this box to enable IP blocking.

IP Blocking Fail Count field

The number of times a user can attempt to log in unsuccessfully before the system locks that user out for a specified length of time.

The number of unsuccessful login attempts must occur within the time frame specified in the IP Blocking Fail Window field.

Enter an integer between 3 and 10.

IP Blocking Fail Window field

The length of time, in seconds, in which the unsuccessful login attempts must occur in order for the user to be locked out.

Enter an integer between 60 and 120.

IP Blocking Penalty Time field

The number of seconds the user remains locked out if they exceed the maximum number of login attempts within the specified time window.

Enter an integer between 300 and 900.

Step 5   Click Save Changes.