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How I handle remote power-on of an SGI - Printable Version

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How I handle remote power-on of an SGI - Raion - 04-13-2021

For testing and development purposes, thought I'd discuss how I do this and keep my network safe-ish. 

Systems involved:

Kosmos - an RPi4 running NetBSD 9
Murasaki - A Tezro (You need a Chimera for this to work) 
Yomi - A utility server running FreeBSD
Edge - My router

So in my router, you forward a port. I usually like to avoid direct SSH/HTTP/whatever ports and use alt ports, so for this tutorial I'll use 6022 as the exposed SSH port. Local SSH is always 22 though. 

So, gettiing my router's IP, I do:

ssh raion@routerip -p 6022

6022 is forwarded to 22 for Kosmos

So, to power on/control Murasaki, I do:

kosmos% ssh service@yomi

on Yomi is a detached tmux session with a screen session connecting to my USB-Serial adapter with the following command:

screen /dev/cuaU0 38400 

If it's not clear, device file then speed for port. Tmux just allows multiple users to grab the session easy. 

tmux attach

Then I can get to L1 with CTRL-T

Now I have dropbear and stuff on IRIX, so once booted using "power up" I can just do:

ssh murasaki

Any questions or help i can provide? Technically I could cut Yomi out, but proximity was a concern (kosmos and Murasaki are not close physically speaking)

RE: How I handle remote power-on of an SGI - weblacky - 04-13-2021

Not trying to hijack your thread, but how about going one step further with a remote PDU : https://dlidirect.com/products/new-pro-switch

I've seen this product out for several years now, I've been on the fence about buying it. I don't know how Fuels act, but once I get my Tezros power-safe, I won't dare leave them L1-running only (or as I'll call it, "Fan-noise off"). So I'd need to go the extra mile and cut power after "power down".

Anyway have experience with this or similarly trusted remote PDU devices on their SGIs?

RE: How I handle remote power-on of an SGI - Raion - 04-13-2021

I'm not sure these machines have an auto-power on function, and the reason i can't use them is due to wiring in my house being shot. Many UPS and surge protectors and even products like that don't even function correctly, and I already have a mess of cables around. I don't need or want more devices to worry about.

It's also redundanct since Chimeras have L1 controllers.

RE: How I handle remote power-on of an SGI - weblacky - 04-13-2021

I wasn't implying anything about auto-power on. I'd never use that setting on a station I'd expect to shutdown. But I don't know about your Tezros, but mine have fans running and L1 LCD controller on when "off", so...not really off. I'd suspect you'd do just what you're doing now, but then turn it off.

So backwards would be...turning it on via remote PDU (actual wall power, then L1 auto-starts), then use serial connect you're already doing and issue L1 pwr up, then more dancing in hopes it starts problem free, this time.

RE: How I handle remote power-on of an SGI - Raion - 04-13-2021

the L1 runs while the machine is off, but no fans run for me. The amount of power it draws off my UPS is apparently under 30W, so that's nothing.

RE: How I handle remote power-on of an SGI - weblacky - 04-13-2021

Yeah, On my first tezro, there is fan noise all the time (not full blast) when machine is off. Starts fans and L1 screen immediately to "L1 Running" at plugging in of AC power cord, but machine remains off. Since I had power issues with it very soon after purchase it's not been able to safely start since 2011. But I remember it fully. I've never been able to do a real resetenv but I did install 6.5.19 when I first got it and it still did the low fan sounds on power connection (no rattling or whatever, like normal fan sounds). I did look and never got any RPM and health warnings on the L1 (aside from later voltage warnings on actual issues I have with it). So I always figured it's normal, since they were never meant to be turned off (and remain off for long) anyway.

RE: How I handle remote power-on of an SGI - jan-jaap - 04-13-2021

(04-13-2021, 03:56 AM)weblacky Wrote:  Not trying to hijack your thread, but how about going one step further with a remote PDU : https://dlidirect.com/products/new-pro-switch

I've seen this product out for several years now, I've been on the fence about buying it.  I don't know how Fuels act, but once I get my Tezros power-safe, I won't dare leave them L1-running only (or as I'll call it, "Fan-noise off").  So I'd need to go the extra mile and cut power after "power down".

Anyway have experience with this or similarly trusted remote PDU devices on their SGIs?

I use something like that. I have a pair of APC 7953 PDUs. One is in my 19" rack (where they belong), the other is behind / under my desksides:

[Image: DSC_3247.JPG]

The PDUs can be controlled remotely with a web interface but also other means like SSH, telnet or SNMP. I have some scripts using SNMP to switch outlets, but use the web interface as well. These things are quite expensive new, but you can find them 2nd hand cheap. I've used them for years.

Normally there's a floor panel covering the PDU and the back of the desksides (Crimson, 4D/440 and 4D/70) is against the wall on the left.

RE: How I handle remote power-on of an SGI - jwhat - 04-13-2021

SGI'ers,

I have my "big" SGI boxes in basement and so turn then on/off remotely via IP Power switch: https://www.aviosys.com/products/9820MT.html

I have 1 8 x AC outlets and 1 4 x AC Outlets.

One of the devices connected is the L2 power supply

So to start up O350, process is:
1. power up the L2 via IP Power Controller
2. telnet into L2
3. power up the O350s + Numalink Router via IP Controller
4. Boot up the lot via L2 "power up" command
5. You then get boot diagnostics via L2 and come to the start up options, which you can select
6. Finally I can ssh/telnet into machine or use XDMCP for X-Windows access

I used to be-able to start up my Apple Xserve box via WAKE-ON-LAN but I got rid of that when Apple stop providing MacOS updates :-( for it and so put my old MacPro down in basement instead, but this does not do WAKE-ON-LAN so I have to go down the basement to push the physical on Botton for this one.

Intel servers provide BMC (IPMI) interface like the SGI L1/L2 which means you can turn them on remotely as well, which is good.

Cheers from Oz,

jwhat/John.