Configure HP Integrated Lights Out (ILO) Step by Step

Easily one of the best features of HP servers is their Integrated Lights Out (ILO) remote management interface. Having the ability to remotely access HP servers from POST to OS is an invaluable tool. Standard ILO features include remote shutdown and startup, virtual media, text mode console redirect and access to hardware logs, status and diagnostic tools. Full graphical remote console redirection is available with the advanced license. This article will outline step by step how to configure and access ILO on a fresh out the box Proliant ML350 G5 server.
First, connect the ILO designated network port to your switch or management network.
Most brand new HP servers come with an information tag attached. Printed on the tag is the server serial number and Integrated Lights Out access information including factory set username and password.
The easiest way to access the ILO configuration utility is during the POST by pressing F8 when prompted.
The menu is straightforward and self explanatory. Use the arrow keys to navigate. Select Enter while the Set Defaults option is highlighted to revert back to factory settings.
First, access the Network menu, disable DHCP and change the DNS name
Then configure your static ip settings
Next, set the Administrator password or create new user.
Note that the username and password are both case sensitive. Select Exit to save and reset ILO with the new settings. Test access to the ILO web interface.
Checking DHCP leases and configuration from the server OS are some alternate setup options if your server is already in production and the ILO settings were not configured beforehand. If DHCP is accessible from the ILO interface connected network then check the leases for the DNS name printed on the tag. Use the leased ip to access the web interface and login with the factory username and password. All the same settings from the POST utility can be configured through the ILO web interface. HP also provides a utility called HPONCFG which allows for command line interaction with ILO and scripting functionality.