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How do I mount a virtual CDROM image through IPMI? (Custom OS installation)
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Some SoftLayer customers choose to load an OS to their server that is not offered or supported by SoftLayer. This can be done through the IPMI card functionality provided by SoftLayer.

You will need to first upload the ISO to the network attached lockbox that comes with every server.
  1. Hardware tab
  2. Choose the server
  3. Scroll down to the Service section
  4. Click on View, next to NAS Lockbox: (per server)
  5. Locate the lockbox that corresponds to the server
  6. Note the Username and Password for the lockbox and follow the directions under the appropriate link for your server’s OS
  7. You will need to access IPMI via the web interface or IPMIview software once the ISO has been uploaded to the lockbox
Locating which kind of IPMI Controller your server has:
  1. Hardware tab
  2. Select your server or click 'view' on the far right
  3. The last item within the Hardware section should be 'Remote Mgmt Card', which should be a SIMxx, Winbond or Nuvoton.  If your Remote Mgmt Card does not include IPMI-KVM then this functionality does not exist.

  4. Follow the steps according to the type of card your server is using

SIMxx(SIMSO+ and others) Web Interface:
  1. On the IPMI page, look for the IPMI Connection Details in the middle of the page.
  2. Note the Username and Password specifically for IPMI
    YOU MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE VPN AFTER THIS
  3. Type the IPMI IP into your browser and hit enter
  4. Enter the IPMI user name and password
  5. Go to How to use Virtual Media

Winbond (X8DTU-F Motherboard)
  1. Browse to the Mgmt IP found at Hardware -> Control within your browser (YOU MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE VPN)

  2. Enter the corresponding Mgmt user and Mgmt Password
  3. Once logged in you will need to ensure that your Firmware Revision is at least 1.30 in order to utilize this feature.  If you do not have 1.30 or newer then you will need to open a Basic Support ticket requesting that the firmware be upgraded.
  4. Browse to Remote Control and click on Virtual Media
  5. If your user is set to 'Operator' and 'Set' is disabled then open a Standard Support ticket so that we can change your permissions.
  6. Input the 'Share Host IP' (LOCKBOX or NAS IP Address)
    Input the 'Share Folder Name' (This will usually be the same as the username that you are using to access the asset.  eg: SLLB99999-01)
    Input the 'Path to Image' (use backslashes, not forward slashes)
    Select CD-ROM or Floppy Disk depending on the image that you are attaching
    Input the Username and Password
    Click 'Set'

  7. You should now see that the Virtual CD, or Virtual Floppy, is in a 'Connected' status.  You should be able to reboot into the ISO, if required.  If you can not boot directly into the ISO then please open a Standard Suppor ticket so that we may adjust your boot order.




IPMIview:
  1. Go to the Hardware tab > choose the server > scroll down to Network section > Click on IPMI link
  2. Follow the instructions for downloading IPMIview and connecting to IPMI through IPMIview.
  3. When connected to IPMI, go to the Virtual Media tab

How to use Virtual Media:
  1. It is best to start out with a server that was just powered on. We want the IPMI card to be just powered for the first time. This allows you to make sure you can mount the media, and an old mount isn't hung.
  2. Login to IPMIview, and connect to the server as root. Once logged in, click the Virtual Media tab.
  3. For Share Host, put the IP Address of the NAS/Lockbox server. 
  4. For Share name, put the Account name (ie, SLLB111111-1).
  5. For Path to Image, use the EXACT directory path, normally this is under " (Ex. /myfile.iso )
  6. For User and password, you would put the username and password to connect to NAS/Lockbox.
  7. Click the Set button above this area to set it to the virtual drive. It should say ISO “Successfully Mounted.”
  8. Reboot the server. It should boot to the ISO (if it is a bootable ISO). If it does not, make sure USB CD is in the boot order BEFORE the hard drives, but after the Network cards. (You can contact SoftLayer Support in order to change the bios boot order)

Known Issues:
If you get a mount ISO error, you will have to pull the power on the server to reset the IPMI card. (The Power Strip Control is great for this. Power off the Power strip for 15-30 seconds, then power the strip back on) (In order to use the Power Strip Control, go to the Hardware tab in the customer portal > Reboot > tick the Power Strip bubble and click on Reboot button)
The root account does not seem to be able to mount ISO files at this time. This may be a simple issue of permissions. Please contact SoftLayer Support and we will be happy to correct the permissions for you regarding IPMI.
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