Unable to add IMPI/iLO settings on HPE Gen12 servers. Error: Operation failed! A specified parameter was not correct: ipmiInfo

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Adding IPMI/iLO settings on a HPE Gen12 server fails with the error, Operation failed!  A specified parameter was not correct: ipmiInfo

IPMi/iLO configuration is added at a per-host level - browse to the host in the vSphere Client - > Configure tab -> System -> Power Management -> Edit 

The error occurs even if the correct settings and credentials are used.

The following symptoms are seen,

• vSphere Distributed Power Management host power management does not work with the iLO7 controller in Gen12 servers
• Attempting to power On an ESXi host that is already in standby mode from the VC UI would be impacted.
• Manually entering & exiting the host to & from standby mode does not work.

 

Environment

vSphere ESXi 8.0.3 P05 

vSphere ESX 9.0

Cause

RIBCL for Redfish APIs do not work with HPE iLO version 7. They work with HPE iLO version 6.
HPE Gen12 servers use HPE iLO version 7.

Resolution

To resolve the issue, upgrade HPE ILO 7 firmware to version 1.13.
HPE ILO 7 firmware version 1.13 enables IPMI Cipher 3 to support vSphere Host Power Management/ vSphere Distributed Power Management.

Alternatively, to power off/on HPE Gen12 servers remotely, use ipmitool 1.8.19 or newer, iLO web interface, or other remote management options provided by HPE.
The ESXi host can also be shut down using the vSphere Client via Host->Power->Shut down.
Use remote management methods provided by HPE to put the host in power saving mode & exit as needed.