How to map a network share to boot from ISO, moving Supermicro Java iKVM to browser-only HTML5 iKVM

Posted by Paul Braren on Nov 22 2016 in
  • CPU
  • HomeLab
  • HomeServer
  • ESXi

    • This is one of those simple tips that I think Supermicro SuperServer owners will really appreciate. You will need to have a Supermicro system / X10SDV motherboard that is capable of running IPMI 3.3.x, or later. This includes all Xeon D systems that Supermicro makes, which are now at 3.46.

    If you're used to licensing fees for remote console capabilities for enterprise server vendors like IBM, HP, Dell, and Lenovo, a nice perk with Supermicro is that their flavor out-of-band IPMI-based remote control is free. Recently, the new and slightly buggy browser-only remote control UI finally frees you from the need for Java as well. Given HTML5 is Supermicro's stated direction going forward, one can only hope more of those little bugs get squashed with future IPMI releases, especially for this beloved, home lab friendly Xeon D / Broadwell-DE, with some models featuring a 7 year Product Life SoC design.

    In the short video below, you'll learn the following:

    • While the iKVM/HTML5 in IPMI 3.46 doesn't currently have any ISO mount ability, future upgrades to iKVM/HTML5 might add native point-and-click ISO mounting capabilities.
    • Meanwhile, Supermicro's IPMI web interface has a Virtual Media, CD-ROM Image mounting ability that lets you get around this limitation.
    • This method only uses a network share that you mount your ISO or bootable ISO files from, meaning you no longer need Java installed for iKVM's ability to boot from ISOs!
    • Java for sysadmin has been plagued by security vulnerabilities. See:

      ...Java is the second biggest security vulnerability that requires constant patching, after Adobe’s Flash plugin.

    • You should read the IPMI 3.46 release notes before upgrading.
    • My demonstration video below shows me kicking off an actual VMware ESXi 6.5 hypervisor install. I'm booting right from the installer ISO named
      VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.5.0-4564106.x86_64.iso
      for the installation of the hypervisor onto my TinkerTry'd Bundle 2 included USB flash drive.

    Step-by-step

    1. Create a folder on a system on the same network as the workstation running a browser for iKVM/HTML5 access to the SuperServer.
      eg. c:\isos
    2. Copy or move the ISOs you wish to share into this new folder.
      eg. VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.5.0-4564106.x86_64.iso
      Windows-File-Sharing---Your-folder-is-shared
    3. Right-click the new folder, select Properties > Sharing tab > Share... button > Share button > Done.
      eg. \\WIN10MULTIBOOT\isos
      Note - you can share a folder from the same system you're using to run iKVM, and you can share a folder on a NAS or from Linux (CIFS/Samba), doesn't really matter how.
    4. Log into the IPMI interface of your SuperServer using a browser.
    5. Click the Virtual Media tab, select CD-ROM Image.
    6. Fill out the fields as pictured below, using your Windows system name or IP address for the Share Host.
      Share Host:
      eg. WIN10MULTIBOOT (case insensitive)
      Path to Image:
      eg. \isos\VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.5.0-4564106.x86_64.iso
      User: the username of the system where the network share resides
      Password: the password of the system where the network share resides
      ISO-mount-dialogue-by-TinkerTry
    7. Click the Remote Control drop-down menu, select iKVM/HTML5.
    8. Boot or reboot your SuperServer, choose Press [F11] to invoke Boot Menu.
    9. Select UEFI: ATEN Virtaul CDROM YS0J or similar.
    10. Finish installing or using the bootable ISO's operating system.
    11. When done, remember to use the Virtual Media tab's unmount button to eject the "CD-ROM" which is really an ISO image.

    Note: All of these mapped network drive settings are preserved, even across reboots and power cycles, and even after a power loss. When upgrading your IPMI, you may want to back up your now-customized IPMI config first, to be restored after the proper wipe-all-settings upgrade.

    Video

    With Supermicro iKVM/HTML5 Remote Console, avoid Java by booting from a network share ISO

    Nov 22 2016 Update

    YouTuber Mahmood Alganadi has some NAS-related ISO Share tips that you might appreciate:

    Thanks Paul , I also figured it out by using an ISO Share feature in my QNAP TS-453 Pro and also get the same results :)

    There are two ways in most famous NAS Devices like QNAP or Synology that they have something called ISO Mount shares it is better than the simple folder shares like we used to use :)

    See also at TinkerTry

    TinkerTry - PCs, EVs, home tech, efficiency and more, including virtualization. My opinions here, not my employer's.

    Paul Braren, MCSE in 1998, VCP #2681 in 2005, vExpert 2014 to 2024, Veeam Vanguard Emeritus, 2015 to 2019.

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    After 6 successful years testing then shipping well over 1,000 Xeon D Bundles, Wiredzone had to stop selling them in mid-2021 due to cost, supply, and logistics challenges. So far, Xeon D-1700/2700 (Ice Lake D) was a minor refresh for 2023, with Xeon D-1800/2800 (Granite Rapids D) refresh looking a little better for 2024. More cores, but still just PCIe Gen4 and DDR4. Looking ahead, I'm glad it's Pat Gelsinger at Intel's helm. I'm also grateful to have had the honor of working at VMware when Pat was the CIO there. I'll leave it at that, given the whole Broadcom thing.

    Easily update VMware ESXi at TinkerTry.com/easy-update-to-latest-esxi