HPE iLO: Integrated Lights-Out
iLO is HPE's embedded out-of-band management controller for ProLiant servers. It runs on a separate processor and network port, giving remote power control, virtual console, virtual media, and hardware health monitoring even when the host OS is offline.
iLO sits on the motherboard as an independent controller with its own firmware, web interface, and Redfish API. Administrators use it to boot a server, mount ISO images over the network, watch POST, and read fan, temperature, and power sensors. It works whether the main system is powered on, hung, or shut down.
Advanced functions need a license. The base iLO Standard covers health monitoring, while iLO Advanced unlocks the graphical remote console, virtual media, and directory integration. Recent generations are iLO 4 (Gen8/Gen9), iLO 5 (Gen10/Gen10 Plus), iLO 6 (Gen11), and iLO 7 on ProLiant Compute Gen12.
For imported HPE ProLiant servers, verify whether an iLO Advanced license is present and activated. Without it you lose the remote graphical console, which forces on-site work for OS installs. Ask the supplier to confirm the iLO generation matches the server generation, since firmware is not cross-compatible.
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