IPMI Controller

Advanced web-based fan control for Dell servers with IPMI support. Automatically adjust fan speeds based on temperature readings from IPMI sensors and optional HTTP lm-sensors endpoint.

Version: 1.0.0
Author: ImpulsiveFPS
License: MIT

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Features

• 🌡️ Temperature Monitoring - Real-time CPU, inlet, exhaust, and PCIe temperature monitoring
• 🌀 Automatic Fan Control - Dynamic fan speed adjustment based on customizable temperature curves
• 📊 Fan Groups - Group fans together for unified control
• 📈 Custom Curves - Create custom fan curves and assign them to specific fan groups
• 🖥️ HTTP Sensors - Optional integration with lm-sensors for additional temperature data
• 🎨 Dark/Light Theme - Choose your preferred visual style
• 🔒 Secure - Built-in authentication and session management
• 🚀 Auto-Start - Automatically resumes operation after system restart

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Table of Contents

• Prerequisites
• Installation
• IPMI Setup
• HTTP Sensors Setup (Optional)
• First Run
• Configuration
• Troubleshooting
• Support

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Prerequisites

Hardware Requirements

• Dell server with IPMI support (iDRAC)
• Network connectivity to the server's IPMI interface
• A machine to run the IPMI Controller (can be the same server or a separate management host)

Software Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• ipmitool (for IPMI communication)
• Linux-based system (tested on Ubuntu/Debian)

Installing ipmitool

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ipmitool

# Verify installation
ipmitool -V

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Installation

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/ImpulsiveFPS/IPMI-Controller.git
cd IPMI-Controller

2. Install Python Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

Required packages:

• fastapi
• uvicorn
• pydantic
• requests

3. Start the Application

python3 web_server.py

The web interface will be available at http://localhost:8000

4. (Optional) Systemd Service

To run the controller as a system service:

sudo cp ipmi-controller.service /etc/systemd/system/
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable ipmi-controller
sudo systemctl start ipmi-controller

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IPMI Setup

Step 1: Configure iDRAC/IPMI Network Settings

1. Boot into your Dell server's BIOS/F2 setup
2. Navigate to iDRAC Settings → Network
3. Configure a static IP address for iDRAC (e.g., 192.168.5.191)
4. Save and exit

Alternatively, configure via iDRAC web interface:

1. Access iDRAC at its current IP
2. Go to iDRAC Settings → Network → IPV4 Settings
3. Set static IP, subnet mask, and gateway
4. Apply changes

Step 2: Create IPMI User

Method 1: Via iDRAC Web Interface (Recommended)

1. Log into iDRAC web interface
2. Go to iDRAC Settings → User Authentication → Local Users
3. Click Add User or edit an existing user
4. Configure:
   • User Name: root (or your preferred username)
   • Password: Strong password
   • IPMI LAN Privilege: Administrator
   • Enable IPMI over LAN: ✓ Checked
5. Save changes

Method 2: Via ipmitool (Local Access Required)

# List current users
sudo ipmitool user list 1

# Create new user (ID 3)
sudo ipmitool user set name 3 root
sudo ipmitool user set password 3 YOUR_PASSWORD
sudo ipmitool channel setaccess 1 3 callin=on ipmi=on link=on privilege=4
sudo ipmitool user enable 3

# Verify
sudo ipmitool user list 1

Step 3: Enable IPMI over LAN

# Enable IPMI over LAN
sudo ipmitool lan set 1 ipsrc static
sudo ipmitool lan set 1 ipaddr 192.168.5.191
sudo ipmitool lan set 1 netmask 255.255.255.0
sudo ipmitool lan set 1 defgw ipaddr 192.168.5.1
sudo ipmitool lan set 1 access on

# Verify settings
sudo ipmitool lan print 1

Step 4: Test IPMI Connection

From another machine on the network:

ipmitool -I lanplus -H 192.168.5.191 -U root -P YOUR_PASSWORD chassis status

If successful, you'll see server power status and other information.

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HTTP Sensors Setup (Optional)

HTTP sensors allow you to integrate additional temperature readings from lm-sensors running on your Proxmox host or other systems. This provides more granular CPU core temperatures.

Step 1: Install lm-sensors on Remote Host

# On Proxmox or target host
sudo apt update
sudo apt install lm-sensors

# Detect sensors
sudo sensors-detect

# Test
sensors

Step 2: Create HTTP Sensor Server Script

Create sensor-server.py on the remote host:

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""Simple HTTP server for lm-sensors data"""

from http.server import HTTPServer, BaseHTTPRequestHandler
import json
import subprocess

class SensorHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
    def do_GET(self):
        if self.path == '/sensors':
            try:
                result = subprocess.run(['sensors', '-j'], 
                                      capture_output=True, text=True)
                data = json.loads(result.stdout)
                
                self.send_response(200)
                self.send_header('Content-Type', 'application/json')
                self.send_header('Access-Control-Allow-Origin', '*')
                self.end_headers()
                self.wfile.write(json.dumps(data).encode())
            except Exception as e:
                self.send_response(500)
                self.end_headers()
                self.wfile.write(json.dumps({'error': str(e)}).encode())
        else:
            self.send_response(404)
            self.end_headers()
    
    def log_message(self, format, *args):
        pass  # Suppress logs

if __name__ == '__main__':
    server = HTTPServer(('0.0.0.0', 8888), SensorHandler)
    print("Sensor server running on port 8888")
    server.serve_forever()

Step 3: Run Sensor Server

python3 sensor-server.py

Or create a systemd service:

# /etc/systemd/system/sensor-server.service
[Unit]
Description=LM Sensors HTTP Server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /path/to/sensor-server.py
Restart=always
User=root

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

sudo systemctl enable sensor-server
sudo systemctl start sensor-server

Step 4: Test HTTP Endpoint

curl http://192.168.5.200:8888/sensors

You should see JSON output with sensor readings.

Step 5: Configure in IPMI Controller

1. During setup wizard (Step 3), check "Enable HTTP Sensor"
2. Enter URL: http://192.168.5.200:8888/sensors
3. Click "Test HTTP Sensor" to verify connection
4. Complete setup

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First Run

Initial Setup Wizard

1. Step 1: Create Admin Account

   • Username: Choose your admin username
   • Password: Minimum 6 characters
   • Confirm password

2. Step 2: IPMI Configuration

   • Host/IP: Your iDRAC IP (e.g., 192.168.5.191)
   • Port: Usually 623
   • Username: IPMI username (e.g., root)
   • Password: IPMI password
   • Click "Test Connection" to verify

3. Step 3: HTTP Sensor (Optional)

   • Enable HTTP Sensor: Check if using lm-sensors
   • URL: http://your-server:8888/sensors
   • Click "Test HTTP Sensor" to verify

4. Enable Auto Fan Control

   • Check "Enable Auto Fan Control" to start automatic control immediately
   • This activates the default "Balanced" fan curve

5. Complete Setup

   • Click "Complete Setup" to finish
   • You'll be logged in automatically

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Configuration

Fan Curves

Fan curves define how fan speed responds to temperature:

1. Go to Curves tab
2. Click + Add Curve
3. Configure:
   • Curve Name: e.g., "Silent", "Performance"
   • Group: (Optional) Assign to specific fan group
   • Points: Add temperature → speed mappings
     • Example: 30°C → 20%, 50°C → 50%, 70°C → 100%
4. Click Save Curve
5. Click Activate to apply the curve

Fan Groups

Groups allow unified control of multiple fans:

1. Go to Fan Groups tab
2. Click + Create First Group
3. Enter group name
4. Select fans to include
5. Click Save Group
6. Use Set Speed to control all fans in group

Quick Controls

• Start Auto: Enable automatic fan control
• Stop Auto: Return to manual/BIOS control
• Manual Speed Slider: Set all fans to specific speed
• Identify Fan: Flash individual fan to 100% for identification

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Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

"Not connected" status:

• Verify IPMI IP address is correct
• Check network connectivity: ping 192.168.5.191
• Test with ipmitool: ipmitool -I lanplus -H 192.168.5.191 -U root chassis status
• Ensure IPMI user has Administrator privileges
• Verify IPMI over LAN is enabled

"Connection timeout":

• Check firewall rules on IPMI network
• Verify port 623 is open
• Try increasing timeout in settings

Fan Control Not Working

Fans not responding to speed changes:

• Some Dell servers require manual fan control to be enabled first
• Check IPMI logs for errors
• Verify fan IDs are correct
• Try using individual fan controls to test

"Manual fan control not supported":

• Some server models don't support external fan control
• Check Dell documentation for your specific model
• Try updating iDRAC firmware

HTTP Sensor Issues

"HTTP Sensor not working":

• Verify sensor server is running: curl http://ip:8888/sensors
• Check firewall on sensor host
• Ensure lm-sensors is properly configured
• Verify URL format includes http:// prefix

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Support

• 🐛 Report Bugs: https://github.com/ImpulsiveFPS/IPMI-Controller/issues
• 📁 GitHub Repo: https://github.com/ImpulsiveFPS/IPMI-Controller
• ☕ Support on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/impulsivefps

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Acknowledgments

Built with:

• FastAPI - Web framework
• Heroicons - Icons
• Lucide - Additional icons

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IPMI Controller v1.0.0 - Built by ImpulsiveFPS