Yes. Every GigeNET dedicated server comes with IPMI access, and by default it sits on a private management network, not on the public internet.
That second part matters more than the first. Plenty of hosts give you IPMI. Fewer keep it off the open internet.
What IPMI gets you
IPMI is the server’s out-of-band management interface. It runs on the baseboard management controller (BMC), a small controller built into the motherboard, so it works independently of the operating system. On our dedicated servers, that means you can power-cycle the machine or reach its console even when the OS won’t boot.
Here’s when you’ll reach for it:
| Problem | What you do |
|---|---|
| Kernel panic or boot loop | Watch it boot on the IPMI console |
| Server hung, SSH dead | Power-cycle it over IPMI |
| Firewall locked you out | Fix it from the console |
| Failed disk or dead part | Ticket; on-site engineers swap it |
The last row is the one IPMI can’t fix. For hardware, our Essential SLA covers 2-hour hardware replacement, or 1 hour on managed plans.
Why the private network is the right default
A management controller has more power over a server than root does. It can reboot the box, change boot settings and hand someone a console. That’s exactly why attackers like them, and why an IPMI interface with a public IP address is one of the worst things you can leave exposed.
So we don’t expose it by default. Your server’s public IP carries your traffic; the management interface lives on a separate private network. You still get the console and power controls when you need them, and a scanner sweeping the internet for open BMCs never sees yours.
If you’re comparing hosts, ask this directly: is the IPMI port on a public IP by default, and if so, can I turn that off? A vague answer tells you what you need to know.
Is it an extra charge?
It isn’t sold as an add-on. The order forms for our dedicated servers list processors, memory, drives and the other build options, and IPMI isn’t a priced line on them. You get it with the server.
FAQ
Yes. SSH only works while the operating system and its network config are healthy. IPMI is the way back in when they aren’t, which is exactly when you need it most.
IPMI is remote control you do yourself: power, console and boot. Remote hands means a technician physically touches the server, for example to swap a part. You’ll want both, for different problems.
Need a server with a specific IPMI or management setup? Get a custom quote and tell us what you need.
