Re: [Freeipmi-users] bmc-autoconfig: drop for 0.5.0 release?

[Peter Broadwell]

This is understandable.
Loosing the commented template is sad however.

Perhaps what is needed is a wiki or some such where real world
problem/solutions examples can accumulate?

Where can a user find out if their machine supports SOL, and what
could they do with it if it did?
(rhetorical question, but was real for me once.)

;;peter


Al Chu wrote:
> I had begun working on a template to store in the docs directory, with
> comments throughout the file to inform the user of what they should
> configure on their own.
> 
> However, with so many different BMCs and vendor implementations out
> there, a substantial portion of the default template will fail for
> different users and different hardware.  I think that will simply cause
> confusion.  For example, a user may believe they have SOL configured
> properly when their machine may not support SOL.
> 
> I'm more inclined to let the user run --checkout on their own, since it
> will allow the user to configure exactly what is available for their
> machine.  It is the model that LLNL and most users of FreeIPMI (that
> I've spoken to) follow.
> 
> So for the time being, I've removed bmc-autoconfig.  If it can be
> revamped to handle SOL, varying number of users, passwords, varying BMC
> implementations, etc.  I think we can add it back in.
> 
> Al
> 
> On Thu, 2007-08-30 at 10:14 -0700, Al Chu wrote:
>> I have been working with a user on a BMC config issue with their
>> machine.  I'm now disinclined to support the committing of a default
>> template.  
>>
>> 1) Many different machines support different configuration options.
>> Included in this are: ipmi 1.5 only options vs ipmi 2.0 options vs.
>> optionally supported options vs. newer errata options vs. flat out
>> unsupported options.  So do we support the full template (so most
>> options will fail by default) or do we support a minimal template (most
>> options aren't listed).
>>
>> 2) Due to the IP address and MAC address being required for modification
>> (and likely subnet + gateway too), at minimum, the user must edit the
>> template anyways, we cannot create a default template that will work
>> without modification.
>>
>> I think the better idea is to store a template in the docs location and
>> mention it in the bmc-config manpage.  I have also written into the bmc-
>> config manpage some general use instructions, so they know they should
>> run --checkout to create a config template first.
>>
>> Any thoughts?
>>
>> Al
>>
>> On Fri, 2007-08-17 at 11:18 -0700, Anand Babu Periasamy wrote:
>>> Hi Al,
>>> I am thinking, if we produce $prefix/etc/freeipmi/bmc-config.conf with
>>> fully documented options and default values, bmc-autoconfig's goal can
>>> be achieved. Additionally it can be used for automation too.
>>> bmc-config will use this config file if none is specified through the
>>> command line argument. Then we can get rid of bmc-autoconfig. What do
>>> you think?
>>>
>>> Al Chu writes:
>>>
>>>> I just thought of this.  We could also distribute a common template file
>>>> as part of FreeIPMI and install it in the docs dir?  I guess my semi-
>>>> argument against this is the fact that we've (practically) already
>>>> distributed a template file with the bmc-config.conf(5) manpage.  So
>>>> would there be a need?
>>>>
>>>> What are people's thoughts?
>>>>
>>>> Al
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, 2007-08-14 at 11:01 -0700, Peter Broadwell wrote:
>>>>> I have need to configure many machines at the same time and if the 
>>>>> templateing
>>>>> file was documented this tool might become the one of choice for such 
>>>>> uses.
>>>>>
>>>>> ;;peter
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Anand Babu Periasamy wrote:
>>>>>> Hi Al,
>>>>>> * It is still maintained.
>>>>>> * BMC-Autoconfig is not a GUI wizard for bmc-config. It is supposed to
>>>>>>  ask minimum questions from the user and automatically configure the
>>>>>>  BMC with known defaults. It is intended for users without any
>>>>>>  knowledge of IPMI to quickly get a basic working setup.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> * It does enable LAN and configure NULL, admin, operator and ipmiuser
>>>>>>  accounts. See the template file, you will get an idea what all it
>>>>>>  configures.
>>>>>> If you have suggestions to improve, let us know?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Albert Chu writes:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'm thinking of dropping this from FreeIPMI:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A) It doesn't seem to be maintained by the original authors.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> B) It apparenly only configures 3 fields of the BMC.  No users, lan
>>>>>>> enabling, etc.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I don't really see the use anymore.  Any comments?  Anyone out there
>>>>>>> using
>>>>>>> this?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Al
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- 
>>>> -- 
>>>> Albert Chu
>>>> address@hidden
>>>> 925-422-5311
>>>> Computer Scientist
>>>> High Performance Systems Division
>>>> Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory