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Out-of-band management · firmware security · fleet tooling

Fujitsu iRMC and ISM
How PRIMERGY servers are managed and secured

Every current PRIMERGY RX and TX server except the entry TX1310 M5 has an iRMC S6 controller for remote management. Above it sits Infrastructure Manager, Fsas's tool for a whole estate of servers, storage and switches. This page covers what each does and the security settings that matter.
CURRENT IRMC GENERATION
1,500+[src]
SETTINGS VIA IRMC
Free[src]
ISM ESSENTIAL
1–100[src]
ISM NODE LICENCE PACKS
TPM 2.0[src]
OPTION ON ALL PRIMERGY
FIRMWARE RESILIENCE
iRMC

What iRMC and ISM each do

iRMC and ISM work at different levels: the iRMC is the baseboard management controller inside each PRIMERGY RX and TX server that has one, with a dedicated LAN interface[src], while ISM manages and monitors whole IT landscapes of servers, storage, network devices, power and cooling from one interface[src].

Fsas's security white paper describes the iRMC as an autonomous system on the mainboard, with its own operating system, web server, user management and alert management, separated from the production server and its OS. It stays powered when the server is off or in standby, and more than 1,500 system attributes can be set through it[src]. Fsas recommends a management network physically separate from data networks[src].

PRIMERGY firmware and management securityWith M7 and later, Fsas raised iRMC password complexity, added MFA and improved brute-force defences.From silicon to the operating systemWHAT IT DOESWHERE IT APPLIESFirmware resilienceSilicon root of trust checksiRMC and UEFI firmwareCertain PRIMERGY modelse.g. RX2540 M8 lists PFRiRMC S6Own OS, web server, usersDedicated management LANTX, RX and M6 entry modelsNot TX1310 M5 or GXSecure BootChecks code integrityduring the boot processUEFI on PRIMERGY serversTPM 2.0Hardware-held keysand platform identityAll PRIMERGY, as an optionIntrusion switchDetects the cover openingOptional, e.g. RX2540 M8With M7 and later, Fsas raised iRMC password complexity, added MFA and improved brute-force defences.
The protection chain Fsas describes in its PRIMERGY security white paper, with where each part applies from the model datasheets. Platform Firmware Resilience is on certain PRIMERGY servers, including the RX2540 M8.
Out of the box

iRMC delivery modes

Since iRMC S6, a server can be configured in Fsas's WebArchitect configurator before delivery in one of two modes[src]. The default is the secure one; the other exists for mass rollouts.
iRMC S6 Standard and Mass deployment modesMass deployment enables protocols such as RESTful and UHL by default; change the password at first login either way.Standard (default)Mass deploymentInitial passwordUnique and randomisedWell-known standardPassword change forced✓—Protocols at deliveryMost disabledSome enabledAnti-brute-force set-upStricterLess secureTypical useMost deploymentsLarge scripted rolloutsMass deployment enables protocols such as RESTful and UHL by default; change the password at first login either way.
From Fsas's PRIMERGY security white paper. Standard mode is the default; Mass deployment mode is opt-in at order and trades security for rollout speed.

The white paper also lists the protocols customers can use to shut out insecure alternatives, including HTTPS boot, SNMP v3 and DMTF Redfish, plus role-based access control and one global user directory through LDAP[src].

ISM

Infrastructure Manager: Essential or Advanced

ISM runs as a virtual appliance and comes in two editions: Essential, free to download, and Advanced, licensed per managed node[src].
ISM Essential against ISM AdvancedAdvanced also integrates with VMware, Microsoft System Center and Ansible.EssentialAdvancedDashboard, discovery, health✓✓Firmware update management✓✓Power and inventory✓✓Anomaly detection—✓Automated configuration—✓Mass OS installation—✓Firmware baseline—✓Sustainability monitor—✓Network topology—✓Third-party monitoring—✓LicenceFreePaidSupportOptional, paidPaidAdvanced also integrates with VMware, Microsoft System Center and Ansible.
From the ISM edition comparison in Fsas's ISM datasheet. Everything Essential does, Advanced does; the rows below Inventory are Advanced only.
What one ISM virtual appliance managesEach managed device needs a node licence; the appliance needs one server licence.PRIMERGY serversRX, TX and GX; PRIMEQUESTETERNUS storageAB, AF, AX, DX, EP, HB, HX, LTNetwork switchesPSWITCH, Brocade, Arista, JuniperFacilitiesCooling distribution unitsThird-party storageNetApp FASMonitoring, updates andalertsISM virtual appliance2+ cores, 16 GB+ memory, 70 GB+ diskOn ESXi, Hyper-V (Windows Server),Azure Stack HCI, RHEL, SUSE or AlmaLinuxEach managed device needs a node licence; the appliance needs one server licence.
Device families Fsas lists as supported by ISM, from its datasheet. ISM Advanced manages infrastructure across multiple data centres; Essential suits single configurations.
Specifications

ISM licensing and requirements

ItemDetail
EditionsEssential (free download, optional paid support) and Advanced (paid)[src]
LicencesOne server licence per ISM virtual appliance plus one node licence per managed device[src]
Node packs1, 5, 10, 20 or 100 nodes; a multi-node licence applies to one appliance only[src]
Terms1, 3 or 5 years[src]
Appliance sizing2 or more CPU cores, 16 GB or more memory, 70 GB or more free disk, 1 Gbit/s network[src]
HostsVMware ESXi 7.0 to 9.0; Windows Server 2016 to 2025; Azure Stack HCI; RHEL 7.7 to 10.1; SUSE 12 SP5 to 16; Alma Linux 8.10 to 9.6[src]
ClientsEdge, Firefox or Chrome on a PC or server; iPad, Android or Windows 11 tablets[src]

From Fsas's Infrastructure Manager datasheet (PDF dated 2 Oct 2026).

In practice

Getting management right

Network

Put iRMC on its own network

Fsas recommends physically separating the management network from data networks[src].
Accounts

Use LDAP and roles

One directory for iRMC users, with role-based access, rather than local accounts on every server[src].
Updates

Start with ISM Essential

Free monitoring and firmware updates across PRIMERGY and ETERNUS; buy Advanced when you need baselines and automation[src].
Older kit

Check warranty before you rely on it

Look up each server’s warranty by serial number before planning repairs or firmware work. Fujitsu warranty check →
Supply & quote

Get PRIMERGY servers set up for remote management

  • We order servers in the iRMC mode that suits your rollout, with credentials handled properly.
  • We size and license ISM for the number of devices you run.
  • We design a separate management network if you do not have one.
  • We quote the servers, ISM and Fsas support together.

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FAQs

iRMC and ISM: common questions

What is iRMC on a Fujitsu server?

The integrated Remote Management Controller is the baseboard management controller on PRIMERGY servers. It has its own operating system, web server, user management and alerting, separate from the server’s own OS, stays powered when the server is off, and has a dedicated management LAN port, so the server can be monitored and controlled remotely whatever state it is in.

Which PRIMERGY servers have iRMC S6?

The current datasheets list iRMC S6 on RX2540 M8, RX2530 M8, RX2450 M2, RX1440 M2, RX1330 M6, RX4770 M8, RX8770 M7, TX1320 M6, TX1330 M6, TX2550 M7. The entry TX1310 M5 has standard management instead, and the GX GPU servers describe remote, update and asset management through ISM rather than iRMC.

Is Fujitsu Infrastructure Manager free?

ISM Essential is free to download, with an optional licence and Support Pack for professional support. ISM Advanced is licensed: each ISM configuration needs one server licence for the virtual appliance plus a node licence per managed device, sold in packs of 1, 5, 10, 20 or 100 nodes for 1, 3 or 5 years, and each licence needs a Support Pack.

What does ISM Advanced add over Essential?

Per Fsas’s ISM datasheet, Advanced adds anomaly detection, automated device configuration, mass OS installation, firmware baselines, a sustainability monitor, archive management, virtual I/O and network topology management, integration with enterprise and vendor management tools, and monitoring of third-party platforms.

What is the default iRMC password?

Since iRMC S6, servers can be configured before delivery in one of two modes. In the default Standard mode each server has a unique, randomised, strong initial password that must be changed, and most protocols start disabled. In the optional Mass deployment mode there is a well-known standard password, no forced change and some protocols enabled.

Can ISM manage non-Fujitsu hardware?

Partly. Fsas lists Brocade, Arista and Juniper switches and NetApp FAS among supported devices alongside PRIMERGY, PRIMEQUEST and ETERNUS, and ISM Advanced monitors other third-party platforms. Third-party platforms are monitoring only.

The Fsas Technologies range

More PRIMERGY and ETERNUS pages

Keep exploring

Related Servnet guides, tools and hardware

Sources

Every specification on this page comes from Fsas Technologies' own datasheets, web pages and support portal, listed below with their dates. Where a datasheet and other Fsas material disagree, we use the datasheet. Figures are confirmed against the current revision when we quote.

  1. White paper: PRIMERGY Server Security Overview · PDF dated 12 Feb 2026
  2. Data sheet: Infrastructure Manager (ISM) · PDF dated 2 Oct 2026
  3. Data sheet: PRIMERGY RX2540 M8 · PDF dated 2 Oct 2026
  4. Data sheet: PRIMERGY TX1310 M5 · PDF dated 26 Sep 2024
  5. Data sheet: PRIMERGY GX2550 M8s · PDF dated 2 Oct 2026

Fujitsu, PRIMERGY, ETERNUS and iRMC are trademarks of Fujitsu; Fsas Technologies is a Fujitsu Group company. Intel, Xeon, AMD, EPYC and NVIDIA are trademarks of their owners. Servnet is an independent UK IT reseller; this page is our own guide to the range.

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