Configuring Network-Related Settings

This chapter includes the following sections:

Server NIC Configuration

Server NICs

You can configure NIC mode and NIC redundancy for the server NICs using the CIMC.

The NIC Mode drop-down list in the NIC Properties area determines which port you want to use to reach the CIMC:


  • Dedicated—CIMC port

  • Shared—Host ports 1 and 2

The NIC Redundancy drop-down list in the NIC Properties area determines how NIC redundancy is handled:


  • None—No redundancy

  • Teaming—Use both ports simultaneously

  • Failover—Fail one port over to another


Note

Teaming provides a throughput improvement by utilizing both host ports simultaneously.

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.

NIC Redundancy drop-down list

The NIC redundancy for systems in which the NIC mode is Shared LOM. This can be:


  • None—The NICs operate independently and do not failover if there is a problem.

  • active-active—If supported, both NICs are utilized simultaneously. This increases throughput and provides multiple paths to the BMC.

    Note   

    If you select this option for a server that does not support active-active redundancy, the system displays an error message when you save your changes.

  • active-standby—If one NIC fails, traffic fails over to the other NIC.

    Note   

    If you select this option, make sure that both NICs are connected to the same subnet to ensure that the traffic is secure regardless of which NIC is used.

MAC Address field

The MAC address for this server.
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.