An LOM system helps ensure that each monitored system is running within acceptable parameters, with optimal performance. This approach increases overall uptime, while reducing the impact on supported workloads. Using LOM, administrators can monitor data center metrics from afar, and diagnose and respond to issues faster. LOM systems can be configured to provide a number of advantages, including the following: Lights-out management must consider the four main causes of data center outages: power, people, disaster and connectivity. This makes it possible for administrators to instantly check any of several hundred recent system events.

The LOM module on each managed system maintains an event log that tracks all operations. Event logsĪn IT team can use one LOM system to manage several data center systems. Some vendors use their own proprietary protocols, but over the years, many have opted for the Intelligent Platform Management Interface, a standardized message-based interface that works in conjunction with a BMC. The protocol enables the interface to send management commands to the module and the module to send its responses back to the interface. Communication protocolĪn LOM system also relies on a communication protocol to exchange messages between the client interface and the LOM module. The port makes it possible to connect the host system to a management network that's separate from the primary data network. Dedicated communication portĪn infrastructure system that supports LOM typically includes a dedicated port for enabling communications between the LOM module on the host system and the outside world. Cisco also provides a web interface, CLI and Extensible Markup Language application program interface for interacting with the IMC. A BMC is a specialized service processor that monitors a system's physical state. The component - referred to as the Integrated Management Controller (IMC) - is a baseboard management controller ( BMC) that provides embedded server management. Dell also provides a web interface and command-line interface ( CLI) for performing remote management tasks.Ĭisco offers a similar component with its Unified Computing System (UCS) C-Series Rack Servers and UCS S-Series Storage Servers. Dell's Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller with its PowerEdge servers is an LOM hardware component that's attached to the server's motherboard. It is often integrated directly into the host system's hardware.įor example, Dell offers an integrated lights-out management system. The hardware component is sometimes called the LOM module, but it might also go by other names.

It also has an interface for accessing the component remotely to provide the necessary instructions. Hardware componentĪn LOM system consists of a hardware component that carries out the management tasks. LOM systems incorporate similar components, including hardware, dedicated communication ports, communication protocols and event logs. What are the main components of an LOM system?

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