The iLO interface will allow you to control your server through a separate isolated network and can be useful in a wide range of scenarios, the most common being:
- Internal Operating System misconfiguration:network, firewall or kernel.
- Pre-boot encryption required for continuing boot.
- Kernel Panic troubleshooting
- Server needs OS re-installed
This article is in addition to the ticket with the title "Your new Dedicated Server is Ready", that contains he credentials to connect to your newly purchased dedicated server. In addition to the details to connect to SSH/RDP, it will contain:
- Link to download OpenVPN client configuration files, protected by password.
- Password and Username for the OpenVPN network
You will be able to follow the steps below with the provided details.
Notice that We offer different generations of HP Enterprise servers, generations contain different iLO versions, the lowest one being iLO3 and latest iLO5 (at the time of writing). A few differences may occur when following the steps and these differences will be pointed out.
Step 1: Connect to OpenVPN
All our iLO interfaces are isolated and only reachable via a OpenVPN connection.
OpenVPN is available with most platforms out there, here are a few examples on how to connect to our OpenVPN network:
Windows: The configuration files contain a .exe file which contains all needed configuration for easy set-up.
Mac: https://openvpn.net/vpn-server-resources/installation-guide-for-openvpn-connect-client-on-macos/
Linux:
- Install the OpenVPN client from your distribution's repository. For example, on Ubuntu, you can use this command: `sudo apt-get install openvpn`.
- Navigate to the directory containing your .ovpn file using the terminal.
- Connect to the VPN using this command: `sudo openvpn --config yourfile.ovpn`.
- When prompted, enter the username and password provided in the ticket.
- Once the command output indicates successful connection establishment ("Initialization Sequence Completed"), you are connected to your VPN.
Step 2: Opening Remote Virtual Console
- To open the remote virtual console, log in to the iLO web interface using the link in the ticket on your browser
- Once logged in, click on "Remote Console" in the top menu.
- Under the "Integrated Remote Console" section, click "Launch". For iLO 4 (equal or greater), you will have the option for HTML5, that is the best option.
- Note: If your server has iLO3, java or .net libraries are needed and the browser edge in compatibility mode or HPLOCONS available here (HPLOCONS is also avaialble for Linux, click here for more information)
- This window that appears represents the screen, keyboard, and mouse of the remote server. You can control the server as if you were physically present.
Step 3: How to mount a .iso url file (needed when re-installing or troubleshooting with external iso)
- Click on the "Virtual Drives" at the menu, usually located at the top of the screen.
- From the dropdown, select "URL".
- 6. In the pop-up dialog box, enter the URL of your .iso file can be external link from a repository (be sure to use a repo close to the location of your server) or from our CDN at http://cdn.flokinet.net/ (only reachable from within our VPN)
- Your .iso file should now be mounted as a virtual DVD drive on the remote system.
