Since we have ASUS servers in the lab and working through the review pipeline, we wanted to take a moment to show off the current web management interface for the ASUS ASMB9-iKVM solution. With this generation, ASUS moved to the more modern MegaRAC SP-X solution which is a move we really like. We wanted to do a quick overview video that we can embed in future server reviews along with our standard pictures. There are users who have not used ASUS servers, nor SP-X and so we wanted to show off the look and feel of that solution.
ASUS Server Management Web Tour with ASMB9-iKVM
Here is our ASUS server management tour featuring the ASMB9-iKVM web application:
There are a few things to note here. First, MegaRAC SP-X is very popular and is used by many server vendors either in its base form or with the addition of additional skins/ modules. The new SP-X framework, aside from its HTML5 interface and HTML5 iKVM functionality, also provides a modular solution where vendors can enhance the solution over time. For example, we have seen solutions where storage card management has been built into the solution.
The ASUS ASMB9-iKVM default login and password are:
- Username: admin
- Password: admin
We strongly suggest changing this and any other default management passwords.
Final Words
We are not going to belabor the point. The current ASUS Server Management ASMB9-iKVM is very close to the standard offering. For those looking for an IPMI/ Redfish management solution, this means that the ASUS ASMB9-iKVM servers are what we would call “industry standard” offerings. Some vendors like Dell EMC, HPE, and Lenovo maintain their own solutions. They often have specific, and useful customizations to those solutions. MegaRAC SP-X can be found even across architectures such as with IBM POWER and Marvell ThunderX2 Arm solutions. For organizations that want to manage fleets of different servers using common toolsets, the ASUS solution is very attractive.
I have a Asus X299 PRO/SE motherboard which also has the ASMB9-iKVM and it does not work properly at all. When logging into the GUI it gives many critical warnings about voltages and fans being incorrect, while the system is running fine.
Also when trying to control the PC remotely via KVM, it doesnt work at all. They assume you use the built in AST2500 VGA output, but in reality you will be using a discrete GPU of course running multiple monitors. KVM doesn’t function at all this way, screens stay black, the mouse is out of control (assumes 1 monitor and has the speed of 3 monitors) (using windows 10)
Contacted asus and told me to reflash the firmware but it did not make any difference. Will never buy an Asus motherboard again since the KVM was the main reason i bought this board.
Together with that i also had unstable reboots for months (system froze when trying to reboot, needed reset) but this seems fixed now after a few bios updates.
I have the Z11PA-U12 and I had those issues at first until I went in and tuned the system to not utilize the defaults. After that, a lot of the warnings went away.
The only thing that I don’t like about this board is Asus’ refusal to add bifurcation to the motherboard.