# Node Power Management with IPMI

> Learn how to configure and manage remote power operations for server nodes using IPMI within the BigStack CubeCOS interface.

Within CubeCOS, IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) enables remote power operations including **Power On**, **Power Off**, and **Power Cycle**.

The following sections walk you through enabling and managing these remote power operations via the BMC.

## Overview {#overview}

IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) is a standardized remote management technology that allows administrators to monitor hardware status and manage power operations over a network without needing physical access to the server.IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) is a standardized remote management technology that allows administrators to monitor hardware status and manage power operations over a network without needing physical access to the server.

It operates via Out-of-Band (OOB) Management, which is a communication channel that functions independently of the operating system. At its core is a dedicated micro-chip built into the motherboard known as the BMC (Baseboard Management Controller).

- **Independent Brain**: The BMC is a small controller that functions separately from the main processor (CPU). Whether your operating system is shut down, frozen, or completely unresponsive, the BMC remains active as long as the server is connected to a power source.
- **Direct Hardware Control**: When you issue a command from the CubeCOS interface, you are communicating directly with the BMC. Think of it as a remote control that bypasses the software layer to press the physical power button or trigger a hard reset for you.

## Pre-requisites {#pre-requisites}

Before configuring IPMI in CubeCOS, ensure that you meet the following requirements:

1. **Hardware Configuration**: Enable **IPMI over LAN** in your server's **Remote management portal** (e.g., Dell iDRAC, HPE iLO).
2. **Network Access**: Open **UDP port 623** on your firewall to allow communication between the CubeCOS nodes/VIP and the IPMI management IPs.

:::note

If your server does not support IPMI, the IPMI Control link will not appear on the Node Details page.

:::

  

## IPMI Management {#ipmi-management}

### Enable IPMI {#enable-ipmi}

To enable power management for a specific node:

1. Navigate to the Nodes Interface Go to the Nodes section from the main navigation menu.

  

2. Select the specific server you wish to connect from the list.

  

3. Click **IPMI Control** and go to the **IPMI Control** tab.

  

4. Fill in the required **IPMI IP**, **IPMI Port**, **Username**, and **Password**, and click **Verify** to confirm the connection.

  

If verification succeeds:

- The system will retrieve and display the motherboard and product information in the right-hand panel.
- Carefully verify that all hardware information matches the target machine before proceeding.

  

5. Click **Confirm** to enable IPMI.

  

### Power management operations {#power-management-operations}

Once IPMI is successfully enabled, power control actions will be integrated directly into the node management interface.

:::warning

CubeCOS does not prevent users from powering off all nodes within a data center. If all nodes are powered off:

- No node will be available to host the Virtual IP (VIP).
- The CubeCOS UI and API endpoints exposed via the VIP will become unavailable.

:::

The following IPMI control actions will now be available:

- **Power On**: Directs the server to boot up from a powered-off state.
- **Power Off**: Sends a power-down command to the server.
- **Power Cycle**: Performs a hard reboot by momentarily removing and restoring power.

  

### Disable IPMI {#disable-ipmi}

To remove IPMI control from a node:

1. Navigate to **Nodes** > **Select the specific server** > **IPMI Control**.

  

2. Switch the IPMI status toggle to **Off** and Click **Confirm** to disable IPMI.

  

3. **Result**: All IPMI-related options are removed from the **Action** menu.