Updated on 2025-03-31 GMT+08:00

Importing an iMetal Server

Scenarios

iMetal allows you to import servers to the CloudDC console so that you can better maintain the iMetal servers on the console.

You need to confirm the serial numbers, models, vendors, racks in the equipment rooms, and BMC account of the servers, and import the iMetal server information using a template (.xlsx file).

This section describes how to import iMetal servers on the console.

Constraints

  • A maximum of 500 records can be imported.
  • New data will not overwrite the existing data. Duplicate records are not imported.
  • After the iMetal servers are imported, the server information cannot be modified.
  • Data can be imported again only when Management Status is Verification failed.

Prerequisites

  • Ensure that you have applied for the OBT and have the required permissions to access the CloudDC console.
  • Ensure that the information has been collected because you need to fill in server information using a template.

    For details about server information, see Table 1.

Procedure

  1. Log in to the CloudDC console.
  2. In the navigation pane, choose Servers > iMetal Servers.

    The iMetal Servers page is displayed.

  3. In the upper part of the iMetal server list, choose More > Import. The Import dialog box is displayed.
  4. Click Download Template to download the template.

    If you have filled in the server details based on the template requirements, go to step 6.

  5. Enter server information in the downloaded template based on the template requirements.

    Once the iMetal server information is imported, it cannot be modified. If the information is incorrect, import it again.

    Table 1 Server template information

    Parameter

    Mandatory

    Description

    SN

    Yes

    Unique ID of an iMetal server.

    Equipment Room

    Yes

    Equipment room where the iMetal server is located.

    Rack

    Yes

    Rack where the iMetal server resides.

    Vendor

    Yes

    Vendor of the iMetal server.

    Height (U)

    Yes

    Physical storage space required by the iMetal server in the rack.

    Model

    Yes

    Model of the iMetal server.

    BMC IP Address

    Yes

    BMC IP address of the iMetal server.

    Server Name

    Yes

    Name of the iMetal server.

    BMC Username

    Yes

    BMC login username, which contains a maximum of 128 characters.

    BMC Password

    Yes

    BMC login password, which contains a maximum of 64 characters.

    Kernel Image ID

    Yes

    ID of the kernel image used by the iMetal server.

    RAM Disk Image ID

    Yes

    ID of the ramdisk image used by the iMetal server.

    Hardware Specifications

    Yes

    iMetal hardware specifications.

    The value can contain up to 256 characters, including letters, digits, plus signs (+), multiplication signs (x), parentheses (()), brackets ([]), hyphens (-), underscores (_), spaces, and periods (.).

    Provision Subnet Gateway IP

    Yes

    Subnet gateway IP address of the Provision plane of the iMetal server.

    Boot Mode

    Yes

    Boot mode of the iMetal server, which can be BIOS or UEFI. BIOS is used by default.

    Skip Formatting

    No

    Used to control a formatting policy for a bare metal server during capacity expansion and commissioning. Value: True (skip formatting) or False (format). Default: False)

    Formatting Policy Duration

    No

    Duration of the formatting policy, which must be a positive integer. If formatting is skipped, this parameter is mandatory. The maximum value is 120 and the unit is hours.

  6. Click Select File and select the file where the server information has been configured.

    The system automatically checks whether the imported data is valid.

    Figure 1 Checking data
  7. After checking the data, click Import to import the server information.

    After the import is complete, you can view the imported server information in the iMetal list. If Management Status of the iMetal server is changed from Onboard, Verifying, to Ready, the import is successful. If it is Verification failed, check the server information in the uploaded file, modify the information, and upload the file again.

    It takes 10 to 15 minutes to verify the iMetal server.

Follow-up Operations

After an iMetal server is imported, you need to install an OS for the server. For details, see Installing an OS on an iMetal Server.