Xserve: Setting up Server Monitor after installing Mac OS X Server via FireWire target disk mode

Products Affected

Mac OS X Server 10.1 (Xserve), Xserve, Xserve (Cluster Node), Xserve (Slot Load), Xserve G5, Xserve G5 (January 2005)

Symptoms

If your Xserve is in FireWire Target Disk Mode when you install Mac OS X Server onto it, the Xserve may subsequently not respond to Server Monitor connections. After you add the Xserve to the list of computers using Server Monitor, the Status column will show "Waiting for Response."

Resolution

Mac OS X Server versions 10.1.5 to 10.3.9

Check to see that the watchdog.conf file found in the /etc directory contains the following line:

hwmond:respawn:/usr/sbin/hwmond # Hardware Monitor daemon

If the line above does not appear in the file, please add it to the file using the text editor of your choice.

Mac OS X Server versions 10.4 and later

  1. SSH into the Xserve.
  2. As root, execute this command:
    /System/Library/ServerSetup/SetupExtras/hwmondSetup
  3. Check the file /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.hwmond.plist to ensure that it does not have (edit if necessary) these lines:
    <key>Disabled</key>
<true/>
  4. Wait a few seconds, and Server Monitor will show hardware information on the server.
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