Server Monitor: Apple's Remote Administration Tool for Mac OS X Server
Maintaining the health and stability of server hardware requires constant vigilance. To address this, Apple Computer Inc. developed Server Monitor, a specialized remote administration application designed for the now-discontinued Mac OS X Server. This tool provided administrators with a centralized way to track the physical status of their hardware without needing to be physically present in the data center.
How Server Monitor Works
Server Monitor operates by communicating with the hwmond hardware monitoring daemon—a background process that tracks system health—located on Mac servers. By interfacing with this daemon, the application can report on the current state of the server's internal components.
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IPMI and Lights-Out Management
Beyond simple daemon communication, Server Monitor serves as an IPMI 2.0 (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) based tool. This allows it to communicate directly with a remote Baseboard Management Controller (BMC), which implements a system known as Lights-Out Management (LOM).
LOM is a powerful feature that enables administrators to perform power management tasks even if the server is powered off or does not have an operating system installed. It is important to note that LOM support was exclusive to Xserve models released after 2006 and was not available on Power Macs sold as servers.
Key Facts
- Developer: Apple Computer Inc.
- Latest Stable Release: Version 1.1.2.1 (August 7, 2006).
- Primary OS: Mac OS X Server.
- Core Technology: Based on IPMI 2.0 for BMC communication.
- Hardware Support: LOM is supported on post-2006 Xserve models.
- License: Proprietary.
System Specifications Summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Remote Administration |
| Monitoring Daemon | hwmond |
| Management Standard | IPMI 2.0 |
| LOM Compatibility | Xserve (Post-2006) |
| Notification Method |
Alerts and Notifications
To ensure rapid response to hardware failures, Server Monitor can be configured to send email notifications when a server encounters a problem. There are two primary ways these alerts are handled:
- Application-Driven: The Server Monitor application sends the email, which requires the app to be actively running.
- Daemon-Driven: The remote servers can send emails independently via the hwmond daemon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Server Monitor?
Server Monitor is a proprietary remote administration application developed by Apple for Mac OS X Server to monitor server hardware health.
What is Lights-Out Management (LOM)?
LOM is a system that allows for remote power management of a server, even if the machine is turned off or lacks an installed operating system.
Which Apple servers support LOM?
LOM is supported on Xserve models released after 2006. It is not supported on Power Macs sold as servers.
How does Server Monitor send alerts?
Alerts are sent via email. These can be triggered by the Server Monitor application itself (if running) or independently by the hwmond daemon on the remote server.
What standard does Server Monitor use for BMC communication?
It uses the IPMI 2.0 (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) standard to communicate with the Baseboard Management Controller.