geerlingguy / geerlingguy/retro-computers

Figure out full remote control (including power) for Xserves

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Description

I currently have each Xserve (G5 and two Intels) plugged into a smart outlet (ThirdReality), and I can turn on and off power remotely. Nice.

But I can't get them to boot up automatically after I cycle power (even if Energy Saver is set to 'restart automatically after power failure'. I'm guessing that's just if the Mac was already booted up and power is cut).

Supposedly the Intels can be controlled via the network somehow. Not sure how, but might try figuring that out.

Right now I have a single LeafKVM hooked up via VGA + USB in the back, but that can't currently get the Xserves to boot also...

Image

## Notes / Things to Try

- `pmset autorestart 1` is basically the Energy Saver checkbox (suggested by [TobiasTaylor](https://x.com/TobiasTaylor/status/2052174420265853405)), see [`pmset` docs](https://www.dssw.co.uk/reference/pmset/), this just keeps me in the same situation. [If the Mac shuts down cleanly, it won't boot again once power is cycled](https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/1qset0g/mac_mini_restart_after_ups_shutdown/) (power at wall off, then power at wall back on).
- Wake on Lan (WoL) is supported (waking a Mac in idle/sleep state with a magic packet), but [Boot on LAN](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/940976?sortBy=rank) is not, at least definitely not on the G5
- Apple supported remote management on the Intel Xserves via ["LOM" or "Lights-Out Management"](), and it seems like they use IPMI, at least on Xserve2,1 and Xserve3,1 (mine are Xserve1,1).
- [This guide for LOM on modern macOS](https://chiefwithcolorfulshoes.com/blog/Setup_Xserve_LOM_For_Modern_macOS/) details how to use `ipmitool` with a properly configured Xserve, maybe worth a shot (though it recommends upgrading to Mac OS X Lion (10.7) Server, I'm on Snow Leopard (10.6) right now). It seems like the main thing is installing the [Server Admin Tools](https://archive.org/download/osxserver-10.6)...
- There are apps like [Luminous](https://luminous.apponic.com/mac/) and [SwiftServer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/swiftserver-monitoring-ssh/id6740036221) that work with IPMI servers as a GUI.
- I could go the brute force route and pop a [Fingerbot](https://amzn.to/4uyqV7B) or [GL-iNet's version](https://store.gl-inet.com/products/fingerbot) along with a Comet for remote button pushing...
- I might be able to run an older 32-bit compatible macOS VM and run Server Admin in there (maybe via [UTM](https://mac.getutm.app) and macOS 10.13...).

Contributor guide

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Research direction

Start with the notes on pmset, Wake on LAN, and Xserve LOM/IPMI, then check the linked LOM guide and Server Admin Tools references against the Xserve1,1 and Intel systems described. Compare network management with the LeafKVM and smart-outlet setup. Done means documenting a reproducible remote power-on method, or clearly recording the hardware and software limitations if none works.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
macos
Domain
networking, operating-systems
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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