Using VNC to connect to an Xserver that is booted from the OS X server DVD

Question

Using VNC to connect to an Xserver that is booted from the OS X server DVD

I'm remotely managing an Xserve located at a colo facility. I have to run Raid Utility to reconfigure the Raid setup on this system. The reconfiguration involves the boot disk and as such, I have to boot from the OS X Server DVD and run Raid Utility from there. Therein lies the problem: is there any way for me to see the Xserve's screen and run Raid Utility remotely while it is booted from the DVD?

On page 26 of the Xserve user guide they advertise the fact that you can connect to the Xserve while it is booted from the OS X Server DVD via screen sharing/ VNC. I have configured the firewall on the server to allow VNC and can connect to it via screen sharing/ VNC while it is booted from the HD. However, as soon as I tell it to restart using the DVD as the boot device, I can no longer connect to it (then I have to access it via LOM and tell it to restart again using the boot HD in order to get it back up...).

Thanks for any help!
s.

Xserve 2.8 Quad Intel Xeon, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 7, 2009 7:04 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 7, 2009 7:30 PM in response to Soheil Zahedi

Firewall config you set while booted from HD, is irrelevant while you are booting of DVD. It is a different system that is not aware if you will off any settings that live on your hard drive.

Lets see if I understand your situation:

You remotely control a Mac running Server Monitro and VNC or ARD, from which you control your Xserve.

To my understanding, while Xserve is booted of DVD, you have no knowledge of its IP address. The Xserve IP address should be asigned by a DHCP server on the remote site, or by Bonjour/Zero config method.

If you are using ARD, you should be able to locate your Xserve from the Scanner view. If you use VNC client, you should make sure both remote Mac, and Xserve live on the same IP subnet by means of DHCP server. DHCP may be running on your router, but may be not.

Please describe your remote site network configuration, and whether you have ARD on the remote site.

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Answer 2

Feb 7, 2009 7:40 PM in response to macitguy.com

Thanks for the quick response macitguy!

I'm actually directly accessing the Xserve via VNC as it is the only system currently located at the colo facility. I have no other systems there, the Xserve has a static IP assigned to it, and there is no DHCP server on its local network.

If I understand you correctly, I can't access the Xserve while it is booted off the DVD unless I have another system on the local subnet, and access from the cloud to the system's static IP is a no-go...

cheers!
s.

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Answer 3

Feb 7, 2009 8:08 PM in response to Soheil Zahedi

BTW, here is the pertinent section from the Xserve User Guide (p. 26) where they're talking about re-installing the server using the OS X Server installation DVD:

*Using Screen Sharing*

If you’re using a remote computer with Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server version 10.5
installed to connect to an Xserve with a static IP address, you can use Screen Sharing to
install Mac OS X Server.

To install using Screen Sharing:

1 Insert the Mac OS X Server installation DVD in the Xserve optical drive.

2 Use the front panel controls to start up the Xserve from the optical drive. For
information, see “Choosing a Startup Method from the Front Panel” on page 13.
The Xserve starts up from the DVD in the optical drive and a login prompt appears in
the Terminal window.

3 On the remote computer, open Finder and choose Go > Connect to Server.

4 In the Server Address field, enter the following, and then click Connect:
vnc://ipaddress
Replace ipaddress with the IP address or DNS name of the Xserve.

5 Don’t enter anything in the Name field. In the Password field, enter the first 8 characters
of the Xserve serial number. Click Connect.

6 In the shared screen window, proceed through installation.

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Answer 4

Feb 7, 2009 9:32 PM in response to Soheil Zahedi

This procedure works if you configure Xserve from the next room, but don't want to catch a cold in the server room. Meaning, you have physical access to the Xserve.

Hope this helps

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Answer 5

Feb 7, 2009 9:36 PM in response to macitguy.com

Thanks! I guess I'll have to drive over there and work in the cold, noisy room after all...

cheers!
s.

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Answer 6

Feb 7, 2009 10:01 PM in response to Soheil Zahedi

You cannot fool us. We know you love it.

what is the role of this Xserve?
Can you put it behind NAT?

A cheap router and an old G4 on remote facility, can give you more control over the Xserve.

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Answer 7

Feb 7, 2009 10:28 PM in response to macitguy.com

🙂

This Xserve is a web server.

I suppose it is possible to hide it behind a NAT and port map on the router to allow the web traffic.

What is the typical setup with what you're proposing then: both machines behind NAT on private IP network, old G4 available via VNC to the outside and then the G4 gets to talk to the Xserve while it is on DVD boot because they're both on the same subnet?

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Answer 8

Feb 7, 2009 11:02 PM in response to Soheil Zahedi

Yap

Port 80 should be forwarded to Xserve, and maybe other ports too, depends on type of websites and services. Port 5900 will be forwarded to G4.

But, if you use a router with VPN, you will have access to whatever is on the remote LAN, regardless of protocol. You'll be able to VNC to both machines and will not need to forward port 5900.

Another option if you have another public IP address, is to put G4 on the clowd, and add a NIC for remote LAN with Xserve. Still need DHCP but configure it to asign a static IP to Xserve on the LAN side.

Depends on budget, there are better solutions like remote KVM, which is probably the best.

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Answer 9

Feb 7, 2009 11:37 PM in response to macitguy.com

Excellent. Thanks!

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