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I have an old server in a remote location. It has its own power feed which is subject to failure twice a month. The problem with this failure is that it does not simply drop and recover hours later. It drops, recovers for 5 min, drops again, recovers for minutes then might drop again etc. So I don’t want to set the server to reboot on AC being restored. I want to wait until I think that the AC is stable.

Many modern BIOS allow one to reboot on mouse, keyboard and (I think) LAN activity.

As I can’t access the server location easily , does anyone have first hand experience of what reboot on LAN activity means or am I confused and BIOSs only have the ability to boot from a LAN. If the server can only be set to boot from the LAN and not because of LAN activity is there a way to disable whatever is providing the means for the server to boot from the LAN until I am happy that the AC is stable.

Thanks

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out of curiosity, does the server have iLO configured? – Chris_K Oct 8 '09 at 17:50
Not sure. Still have to do learn the ins and out of this machine. – kingchris Oct 8 '09 at 19:19
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3 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted

This server has iLO management port that can be used, among other things, to control power state of the system. That would be the most appropriate and reliable way to power up the server. Just connect a network cable, configure IP address (can be done from the host OS using HP Proliant Support Pack utilities), and you're good.

However, I can't understand why you're willing to suffer through such power outages, if they can be made a non-issue with an inexpensive UPS unit. A unit that would power you server for half an hour, and have a network management card allowing you to control power from your location, would cost about $500 or so.

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Again if I can find a black ops whisper quiet UPS that dosen't beep while its carring the load then I shall purchase it. – kingchris Oct 8 '09 at 19:24
Sounds like you need a new server location – MDMarra Oct 9 '09 at 12:46
Yes. Thinking Marsellies on the French Coast – kingchris Dec 3 '09 at 18:16
I used to have an UPS where the beeping drove me insane (it was in my bedroom). I took the front casing off, and replaced the beeper with a blue LED. Quiet.. and Blue. – Tom O'Connor Feb 16 '11 at 13:11
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up vote 1 down vote

The "reboot on LAN activity" is most likely Wake-on-LAN support. You just need to find the right tool for your environment to generate the WOL Magic packet.

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Thanks. Will do the RTFM bit on Wake-on-LAN. – kingchris Oct 9 '09 at 3:42
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up vote 0 down vote

Is this server not on a UPS?

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No. UPS make lots of beeping noises when they wish to draw attention to their plight. I don't really want to have to modify a UPS to not beep. – kingchris Oct 8 '09 at 19:23
TBH, that sounds a little silly. The only time I could see this being an issue is if the UPS was in a public area where it would bother others. However, you said its remote and locked away... – DanBig Oct 8 '09 at 20:18
And, whats more annoying, a server power cycling over and over, or a beeping UPS? – DanBig Oct 8 '09 at 20:19
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Its in an old giant house. The type you see on "Remains of the Day" or "Sense & Sensibility". I am in a different building with a wifi link to routers in the old house. There is an 'elderly' gentlemen who is conviced a plague of rats occupies his wing due to the noises of technology that come from the attic. (Should start on my screen play already and flog the plot to Hollywood) – kingchris Oct 9 '09 at 3:40
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