Console access to 5520 8540 WLC via CIMC

Introduction

This document describes the configuration steps for console access via Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC).

Background Information

The Wireless LAN Controller models AIR-CT5520-K9 and AIR-CT8540-K9 are based on Cisco UCS server C series, C220 and C240 respectively. So it has CIMC utility to edit/monitor low level physical parts such as power, memory, disks, fan, temperature, and even console access to the Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) for them to be accessed remotely.

As of now, for console access the options that we have are vKVM, connecting peripherals such as keyboard and a monitor to the VGA port, and the use of the RJ45 port to use directly or via console server.

• vKVM console and the external monitor plugged to VGA show “Cisco Bootloader Loading Stage2…”

This is expected because WLC does not support this, please refer to the Cisco 5520 and 8540 Wireless Controller Troubleshooting Guide

• RJ45 port is not always a feasible solution, if you don’t have physical access to the WLC.
• Console server can also be an option for remote out of band access.

If you don’t have access to the RJ45 console port or don’t have console server, then this is for you.

Prerequisites

Components Used

The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, make sure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

• AIR-CT5520-K9, but the AIR-CT8540-K9 is also capable along with any other UCS-C appliance such as MSE, CMX
• Any SSH client such as PuTTY

Applications

• Password recovery (use the “restart” command for soft reload instead of “reset system”)
• Use of commands that only accepts via console.

Note: Restrictions for Serial Over LAN. In order to use SoL, the server console must have the following configuration:
- No Flow Control
- Baud Rate the same as configured for Sol (9600 bps)
- VT-199 terminal type

Configure

Configurations

1. Configure CIMC on WLC via CLI

(Cisco Controller) >imm address 10.0.0.10 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.1
(Cisco Controller) >imm username admin password Cisco123 Cisco123
(Cisco Controller) >imm summary

This will take some time...

User ID.......................................... admin
DHCP............................................. Disabled
IP Address....................................... 10.0.0.10
Subnet Mask...................................... 255.255.255.0
Gateway.......................................... 10.0.0.1

Check this article to Set up CIMC for UCS C-Series Server, and this to Configure/View CIMC IP from console during bootup

2. Check if WLC has “Serial Over LAN“ enabled

• Log in to CIMC via GUI, under Server > Remote Presence > Serial Over LAN

• This verification can also be done in the WLC’s CLI

>show imm chassis sol-info
 
 Set in progress : set-complete
 Enabled : false                   !!!! DISABLED
 Force Encryption : false
 Force Authentication : false
 Privilege Level : USER
 Character Accumulate Level (ms) : 50
 Character Send Threshold : 201
 Retry Count : 7
 Retry Interval (ms) : 500
 Volatile Bit Rate (kbps) : 9.6
 Non-Volatile Bit Rate (kbps) : 9.6
 Payload Channel : 14 (0x0e)
 Payload Port : 623

3. Enable Serial Over LAN.

Note: When Serial-Over-LAN is enabled all external consoles will be disabled. In other words, The phyisical console interface is mapped to COM0, and since SoL uses COM0 as the serial connection by default, then when enabled it desactivates the phyisical console port. If you want to release the COM0 Connection; You can either use SoL with COM1 or disable the Serial Over LAN feature from CIMC.

Via GUI

• Log in to CIMC, under Server > Remote Presence > Serial Over LAN

Enable Checkbox, save changes.

• Via CLI

Open an SSH Session to the CIMC IP Address and log in with the credentials previously configured

 # scope sol
 /sol # set enabled yes
 /sol *# set baud-rate 9600
 /sol *# commit 

 /sol # exit
 # show sol
 
 Enabled Baud Rate(bps)  Com       Port SOL SSH Port 
 ------- --------------- --------  --------------
 yes     9600            com0      2400 

You can change the SOL SSH Port to stablish the connection remotely with that port and Make sure that COM0 appears as the selected Console Connection. Otherwise change it with command

 /sol *# set comport com0

4. Access to the WLC's console via CIMC

 # connect host
 CISCO Serial Over LAN:
Press Ctrl+x to Exit the session


User:admin
Password:********
(Cisco Controller) >

 The console can also be direclty accessed using the CIMC configured IP address and SOL SSH port

• On PuTTY

• On Routers

#ssh -p 2400 -l admin 10.0.0.10

• On Linux/Unix

#ssh -p 2400 admin@10.0.0.10