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Configuring the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC)

Note - Currently, the 1000E and 600E ADCs feature this optional utility.

The FortiADC-600E and 1000E are equipped with a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC). This specialized service processor monitors the physical state of the ADC using sensors and communicates information to system administrators using an independent network connection. BMC is a specialized micro controller embedded on the motherboard of the FortiADC that manages the interface between the operating system and the hardware.

The BMC is active as long as your system is receiving power from an outlet and will remain ON, even if the system is shut down. It has a dedicated network interface and is accessible via the configured IP to perform power control functions using the Integrated BMC Web Console once it is configured.

Prerequisites

Before configuring the BMC utility it is recommended that you contact your network administrator to obtain:

Configuration

The BMC is configured using CLI commands only. In the GUI, you can run the BMC commands shown in this section using the CLI widget on the Dashboard. Once initial configuration is complete, the BMC can be further configured through the Web Console.

This setup procedure describes the process of setting the initial user id and password and assigning an IP address on which to access the BMC web interface.

When you power up your system for the first time, you will not have connectivity with the BMC. You will need to:

  1. Configure a password to use when logging in to the BMC console.
  2. Enable the BMC to perform power control functions.
  3. Configure an IP address (and Gateway) on which clients can communicate with it on the integrated BMC Web Console.

Proceed with the following after powering up your FortiADC:

  1. Enter the following to view the initial BMC configuration:
eqcli > show bmc
User Name:     root
Status:        disabled
IP Address:    0.0.0.0/32 (static)
Gateway:       0.0.0.0
 
eqcli: 12000287: Operation successful
eqcli >

The default User Name will be root when you use the CLI. You will be able to change this once you have set up network connectivity and have access to the Integrated BMC Web Console; however, only the user root can be configured using the CLI.

  1. Configure a password to use with the User Name as follows. After entering bmc passwd at the eqcli prompt, press ENTER and follow the prompts to enter password and confirm password. press ENTER after entering and confirming.
eqcli > bmc passwd
Please enter password: password
Please confirm password: password
 
eqcli: 12000287: Operation successful
eqcli >
  1. Enable the BMC by entering:
eqcli > bmc enable
 
eqcli: 12000287: Operation successful
eqcli >
  1. Enter an IP Address (lan ip) for the BMC. The default IP address is 0.0.0.0/32. This is a static address. You will also need a Gateway (gw) address if used; however, you can enter 0.0.0.0 as the gateway address if there is none.
eqcli > bmc lan ip 192.168.1.8/21 gw 192.168.0.1
 
eqcli: 12000287: Operation successful
eqcli >
  1. Confirm your configuration by entering the following:
eqcli > show bmc
User Name:     root
Status:        enabled
IP Address:    192.168.1.8/21 (static)
Gateway:       192.168.0.1
 
eqcli: 12000287: Operation successful
eqcli >

You should now be able to access the Integrated BMC Web Console for additional configuration options and for remote power control options. To access the console enter the IP address that you configured in the address bar of your web browser.

ClosedLog In to the Integrated BMC Web Console
ClosedModifying the User Name, Password, User Status and Network Privileges
ClosedResetting a Forgotten BMC User Name and/or Password
ClosedChanging the BMC IP Address
ClosedServer Power Control
ClosedGetting Additional Help on the BMC User Interface