Issue/Introduction

This article helps troubleshoot RMCP+ session establishment failures when updating IPMI information in ZSphere.

Symptoms

• Updating IPMI information fails with Error: Unable to establish IPMI v2 / RMCP+ session.
• This commonly occurs when IPMI over LAN is disabled in the BMC configuration of servers such as the Dell R750.

Environment

• Product: ZVF
• Version: 4.x
• Component: ZSphere
• Affected object: IPMI or BMC
• Scenario: For host and hardware issues, confirm the current version, deployment type, storage type, and operation timeline.

Possible causes

• IPMI over LAN is not enabled in the BMC, and RMCP port 623 is inaccessible.
• The IPMI user, password, permissions, or cipher suite configuration does not meet platform access requirements.
• The network from the management node to the BMC is unreachable or restricted by a firewall.

Resolution

Perform the following checks in order, and record the affected object, occurrence time, complete error message, and current status.

1. On the BMC page, confirm that IPMI over LAN is enabled and that the user has remote management permissions.
2. From the management node, verify connectivity to the BMC IP and reachability of UDP port 623.
3. Verify the IPMI user name, password, permission level, and server vendor default security policy. When necessary, use ipmitool to verify account permissions and cipher suites.
4. After changing the BMC configuration, update IPMI information in ZSphere again.
5. If BMC sessions need to be reset or IPMI over LAN configuration adjusted, back up the existing configuration and contact ZStack official technical support to confirm the operational impact.

Remediation

1. Enable IPMI over LAN in the BMC, and verify the IPMI user, password, permissions, and cipher suite configuration.
2. After confirming connectivity from the management node to the BMC and reachability of UDP port 623, update IPMI information in ZSphere again.

Verification

• ZSphere can update host IPMI information successfully and no longer reports an RMCP+ session establishment failure.
• ipmitool returns normally when it is used to verify account permissions and cipher suites.

Notes

• Avoid repeatedly retrying with an incorrect account or parameters, as this might lock the BMC account.
• Record the original BMC configuration before changes so it can be restored if an issue occurs.