IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) is a set of computer interface specifications for an

autonomous computer subsystem that provides management and monitoring capabilities

independently of the host system’s CPU, firmware, and operating system. One of the key advantages

of IPMI over SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is its ability to monitor and manage

various subsystem sensors within the hardware.

While SNMP is widely used for network management and can gather data from various devices on

the network, it is not as specialized in sensor data collection as IPMI. IPMI provides more detailed

monitoring of system health and environment by allowing access to a broader range of sensor types

and data. This includes temperatures, voltages, fans, power supplies, and more123.

Moreover, IPMI operates independently of the operating system, which means it can function even if

the server’s OS fails or is unresponsive. This level of monitoring is crucial for maintaining system

stability and preventing downtime due to hardware issues.

Reference:

Dell EMC OpenManage SNMP Reference Guide1

Server Fault community discussions on Dell OpenManage and IPMI2

Spiceworks Community insights on Dell OpenManage monitoring3

=========================