Comment 3 for bug 1703671

I had the same issue commissioning servers [MAAS version: 2.3.0 (6434-gd354690-0ubuntu1~16.04.1)].

However, while troubleshooting with ipmipower, I discovered that the issue is related to timeout and "bad connections" query results after issuing ipmipower "on" command. This points to some problem on the network side of things.

After eliminating network issues one after the other starting from cable etc. I discovered that it is taking some time for the IPMI LAN port on the Cisco Catalyst Switch side from activating from Amber to Green after ipmipower on command.

From my little Cisco switching experience, I configured PortFast on the Ports and now MAAS is able to commission the servers successfully. Also, when I was using Unmanaged LAN Switches, I did not have this commissioning failure problem.

So, I will propose 2 solutions. The first is non-MAAS based, and the second a probable suggestion for the MAAS development team.

1. If you are using a Managed LAN Switch without default portfast feature that reduces Port startup time (e.g. Cisco Catalyst Switches). Configure STP PortFast Feature on the ports connected to the BMC/IPMI connections.

2. The MAAS team may want to delay the query for if Server is ON, to accommodate for such LAN network switch functions not allowing ports to initialize on time.

Regards.