Configure Alternate RMM LAN Channel using Shared Onboard Interface

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SWG provides a shared NIC configuration option that allows both the SWG host and the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) to use the same physical network port. You can assign separate IP addresses to the SWG host and the BMC, while they share the same port. This feature enables remote management without requiring a dedicated port for the BMC.

For example, if you configure LAN Channel 1 (port1/eth0) as the management interface, both the SWG host and the BMC share the same physical NIC (eth0). The SWG host uses one IP address on eth0 for traffic, while the RMM LAN channel uses another IP address for BMC access.

Sample:

[root@5500e ~]# rmm-show

LAN Channel             : onboard (1)
IP Address Source       : DHCP Address
IP Address              : 10.213.135.65
Subnet Mask             : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway IP      : 10.213.135.252
Enabled users channel 1 : 3


LAN Channel:            : rmm (3) 
IP Address Source       : Static Address
IP Address              : 10.213.136.221
Subnet Mask             : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway IP      : 10.213.136.252
Enabled users channel 3 : 3


[root@5500e ~]#
[root@5500e ~]# ifconfig eth0
eth0: flags=4163<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,MULTICAST>  mtu 1500
        inet 10.213.135.219  netmask 255.255.255.0  broadcast 10.213.135.255
        ether a4:bf:01:87:86:61  txqueuelen 1000  (Ethernet)
        RX packets 5448  bytes 1324965 (1.2 MiB)
        RX errors 0  dropped 0  overruns 0  frame 1471
        TX packets 3106  bytes 701605 (685.1 KiB)
        TX errors 0  dropped 0 overruns 0  carrier 0  collisions 0


[root@5500e ~]#

Prerequisite

Ensure the onboard Port 1 (eth0) or Port 2 (eth1) is connected to the Management network.

Configure the Shared NIC

Follow the steps below to assign an IP address to the BMC LAN channel using the BMC web UI or BIOS setup if the UI is unavailable.

Using the BMC Web UI

Go to Configuration > IPv4 Network.
In the Configuration management settings panel:
1. For Port 0, select LAN Channel 1.
2. For Port 1, select LAN Channel 2.
  For more details on Port 0 and Port 1, see Back Panel and Port Assignments.
3. Configure the IP settings:
  - To use DHCP, select Obtain an IP address automatically (use DHCP).
  - To use static settings, select Use the following IP address and enter the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Servers.
Click Save to apply the settings.

Using BIOS Setup (When BMC UI is not reachable or the RMM port is down)

Reboot the appliance.
During boot, press F6 to enter the BIOS Setup.
Go to Server Management > BMC LAN Configuration.
Configure Baseboard LAN with either:
- Dynamic IP (DHCP), or
- Static IP (enter IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and DNS).
Save and press F10 to exit.
You can verify the configuration using the CLI command rmm-show.