ipmitool

Open IPMI shell on the local hardware

$ sudo ipmitool shell

$ ipmitool -H [ip_address] -U [user_name] shell

ipmitool [options] <command> [<args>]

-I intf
    Select interface: lan, lanplus, open, imb, bmc, kcs, serial, usb

-H address
    Remote BMC hostname or IP address

-U username
    Remote BMC username

-P password
    Remote BMC user password (insecure on cmdline)

-f file
    Password file for authentication

-A authlevel
    Authentication type: NONE, STRAIGHT, MD2, MD5, OAuth

-L privlevel
    Privilege level: CALLBACK, USER, OPERATOR, ADMINISTRATOR

-C cipher_suite
    Cipher suite ID (1-17) for LANPLUS

-p port
    Remote BMC UDP port (default 623)

-k kg密
    Remote BMC KG state key

-v
    Verbose output

-V
    Version information

-c
    Channel number (default 0)

-4
    Use IPv4

-6
    Use IPv6

-N num
    Number of network retries

-R num
    Number of resets

-T num
    Timeout in seconds

-h
    Help

ipmitool is a powerful command-line tool for interfacing with the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), an industry standard for out-of-band hardware management. It enables administrators to monitor sensors, control power states, manage users, retrieve event logs (SEL), access FRU data, and configure network settings on IPMI-enabled devices like servers, chassis, and BMCs (Baseboard Management Controllers).

Key uses include remote power cycling, temperature monitoring, and firmware updates without relying on the host OS. It supports multiple interfaces: LAN (remote over network), LANPLUS (encrypted), local kernel driver (open), serial-over-LAN (SOL), and others. Ideal for data centers, it integrates with tools like Nagios or Zabbix for automation.

ipmitool is cross-platform, available on Linux, and requires IPMI drivers or network access. It's widely used with hardware from Dell (iDRAC), HPE (iLO), Supermicro, and Intel.

Requires root or IPMI privileges; avoid plaintext passwords (-P); some subcommands need compatible BMC firmware; network access may expose to risks; local interfaces need kernel IPMI drivers loaded.

chassis power on|off|status|reset: Power control.
sensor list: View sensor readings.
sel list: Event log.fru print: Field-replaceable unit info.lan print: Network config.mc info: BMC details.sol activate: Serial console.

lan: Basic RMCP (unencrypted).
lanplus: Secure with cipher suites.
open: Local kernel interface (fastest).
imb: Intel-specific.

Originally developed by Intel in 2003 as part of OpenIPMI project; integrated into Linux kernel IPMI drivers; maintained by community, now in most distros since kernel 2.6+; evolved for IPMI 2.0 support including RMCP+ encryption.

dmidecode(8), lm-sensors(1), smartctl(8), ipmitop(8)