Managing servers in a dispersed network is a challenge for most. Therefore, IT professionals often troubleshoot issues on a machine miles away using remote management to overcome restricted access and limited options for diagnosis and repair.
IPMI is an abbreviation for Intelligent Platform Management Interface that provides remote management from anywhere in the world, regardless of the operating system. Your server could be in the next room, or halfway across the globe, in a state of system failure, and IPMI will empower administrators to perform critical tasks remotely.
This article will address the open end question “What is IPMI?”, how does it work, its key features, benefits, and more!
How IPMI Works
Intelligent platform management interface operates independently of the operating system using a hardware called the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC). The BMC allows administrators to remotely manage and monitor servers even if they are switched off.
Key Components of IPMI:
- Baseboard Management Controller – This is the core hardware component behind IPMI, which is embedded in the motherboard, and handles remote monitoring and control.
- IPMI Interface (LAN, Serial, In-band) – The interface allows remote access into another system via network, serial console, or local system tools.
- Sensors & Event Logs – The event logs monitor hardware (temperature, voltage, fan speed) and logs system failures.
How IPMI Functions:
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- Admin connects to a remote resource via a LAN network, Serial-over-Lan (SoL), or Web UI to control the server.
- Manage power by switching it on and off remotely.
- Hardware monitoring by keeping a check on system health and logs failures.
- Works even when the OS crashes or the system is powered down.
What is IPMI 1.0 Vs 1.5 Vs 2.0
| Feature | IPMI 1.0 | IPMI 1.5 | IPMI 2.0 |
| Release Year | 1998 | 2001 | 2004 |
| Basic Remote Management | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| LAN Interface Support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (LAN)** | ✅ Yes (LAN & LAN over SSL)** |
| Serial-over-LAN (SoL) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Advanced Authentication | ❌ No | ✅ Basic | ✅ Stronger encryption (RMCP+, Cipher Suites) |
| Remote Console (KVM-over-IP) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (via OEM extensions) |
| Firmware Upgrades over IPMI | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| IPv6 Support | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Session-Based Authentication | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (More secure session 656 OIK Handling) |
| Enhanced Event Logging | ✅ Limited | ✅ Basic | ✅ Advanced with SEL (System Event Log) improvements |
Key Features of IPMI
Remote Power Control
IPMI allows admins to remotely manage servers, reboot them, or perform power cycling without in-person access. This is mostly useful when you are dealing with unresponsive systems or scheduling maintenance tasks.
Hardware Monitoring
The system continuously monitors crucial hardware parameters, such as temperature, voltage, fan speed, and power supply status. IPMI can trigger alerts or even shut down the system automatically to prevent hardware failures, in turn helping with stability.
Event Logging & Alerts
IPMI maintains consistent logs of significant system events, such as power outages, overheating, and hardware malfunctions. These logs provide troubleshooting insights and diagnostics. Additionally, real-time alerts from email or SNMP help IT teams respond timely to minor issues.
Serial-over-LAN (SoL)
This feature allows administrators to access a server’s console remotely as if connected via a serial port. It is mainly useful for troubleshooting system issues when the OS is unresponsive, allowing direct interaction with the recovery tools.
Virtual Media Support
With virtual media support, administrators can remotely mount and unmount ISO files or external storage. This simplifies tasks like OS installation, firmware updates, and system recovery.
Benefits of using IPMI
IPMI stands out from all the other remote server management tools due to these major pros:
- IPMI excels due to its ability to monitor server health along with all other important parameters using predefined thresholds to issue alerts. This helps minimize downtime and keeps the system up and running.
- IPMI supports independent and intelligent recovery due to independent and direct communication with the BMC. This ensures that IPMI remains fully operational even when the server’s operating system crashes, enabling administrators to diagnose and address the issues.
- Vendor-neutral design allows for compatibility with hardware from different manufacturers. This ensures that IPMI can be integrated into multiple diverse hardware environments.
- IPMI’s design allows for direct adjustments to BIOS settings and other configurations without needing an operating system access or specific software agents.
Disadvantages of IPMI
Despite its amazing server management capabilities, IPMI is still not without drawbacks.
- IPMI has been criticized for its security vulnerabilities, especially the earlier versions. Even after the latest version 2.0 and strengthened security encryption, it is still pretty risky.
- Setting up IPMI can be a challenge in complex network environments. This holds a higher level of security risks and can be misconfigured.
- Applying necessary security updates to IPMI systems is super important, and since no new security patches will be released anymore, it can be risky.
Common Use Cases of IPMI
A guide on “What is IPMI” cannot be completed without discussing the important use cases of IPMI.
- Data centres are one of the most common use cases of IPMI to manage and control large servers remotely.
- Cloud and hosting providers.
- Edge computing from remote locations.
- High performance computing clusters.
Potential Security Risks & How to Mitigate Them
| Security Risk | Description | Mitigation Strategy |
| Default Credentials | Many IPMI implementations ship with default usernames and passwords, which attackers can exploit if not changed. | Change default credentials immediately after installation and use strong, unique passwords. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible. |
| Unencrypted Communication | Older IPMI versions transmit data, including login credentials, in plaintext, making them vulnerable to interception. | Use IPMI 2.0 with encrypted communication (RMCP+), disable insecure protocols, and use VPNs for remote access. |
| Open IPMI Ports | Exposing IPMI ports (such as 623/UDP) to the internet can allow attackers to scan and exploit vulnerabilities. | Restrict IPMI access to internal networks, use firewalls to block external access, and implement IP allowlisting. |
| Firmware Vulnerabilities | Outdated firmware may contain security flaws that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access. | Regularly update IPMI firmware to the latest version and monitor vendor security advisories for patches. |
| Brute Force Attacks | Attackers may attempt repeated login attempts to guess IPMI credentials. | Implement account lockout policies, rate-limiting on login attempts, and strong password policies. |
| Lack of Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) | Allowing full administrative access to all users increases the risk of accidental or malicious misconfigurations. | Use RBAC to limit user privileges based on job roles, ensuring only authorized personnel have full control. |
| IPMI Over Public Networks | Accessing IPMI over unsecured public networks increases the risk of data interception and unauthorized access. | Use a secure VPN or private network for IPMI access and disable direct exposure over the public internet. |
| Insufficient Logging & Monitoring | Lack of monitoring makes it difficult to detect unauthorized access or security breaches. | Enable detailed logging and set up real-time alerts for suspicious IPMI activities. Use SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools for monitoring. |
Wrapping Up – What is IPMI?
IPMI is an important resource for server management from a remote location that spans over several systems and operating systems. This infractures does not differentiate between hardware, OS, or other concerning factors, and make them all one to ensure optimal security and minimal downtime.
1. What is IPMI device used for?
IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) is used for remote server monitoring, hardware management, and troubleshooting, even when the system is powered off.
2. How do I access IPMI?
You can access IPMI through a web-based interface, IPMItool (command-line utility), or third-party management software.
3. Is IPMI secure?
While IPMI is a powerful tool, it can pose security risks if not properly configured. Best practices include changing default passwords, using encrypted connections, and restricting access.
