I recently got an HPE ProLiant DL20 Gen10 server from a friend and set it up as my first home server. However, I'm having trouble accessing both the iLO5 and the server's OS. After installing Debian 12 from a USB drive, I accidentally used the iLO5 USB port for the installation. Now I'm worried I might have overwritten the iLO5 firmware, but I'm not sure. I was able to access the iLO5 web portal during the installation, but after rebooting the server, I lost access. The UID button works but I'm having network issues, and I can't connect with a monitor since I don't have a VGA cable. Any insights on what might have happened and how to troubleshoot further?
3 Answers
Relax, the iLO firmware is probably safe! It's designed to resist accidental overwrites. First things first, focus on getting iLO back by doing a hardware reset with the UID button. And seriously, get yourself a VGA cable; it's super helpful for server setups. Also, check for any labels on the server, because the default iLO IP and login info is often there.
You didn't brick your iLO! The firmware is embedded on the motherboard, so installing Debian on a drive won't affect it. It's likely that iLO just lost its IP, maybe due to DHCP issues or network settings. Try unplugging everything and removing the CMOS battery for a minute. That should help reset things. Worst case, you can reflash with HPE tools if you need to.
Ahhh, good to know! That takes a load off my mind.
I had to reset my NVRAM once when the CMOS battery died. Just be sure to have the iLO serial handy for when you reset!
I've mostly worked with iDrac, so I can't say for sure, but it might be worth logging into the BIOS to clear your iLO config. If you’re locked out of the BIOS too, checking the HPE documentation could help.
Thanks for the tips! I reinstalled the OS and had access to iLO, but after restarting, I couldn't reach either again. Do you think it’s a BIOS problem?