[MAC unknwon] In 'Add machine' menu Option is dysfunctional

[SchoolGuy]

2024-03-03 09:48:33 UTC

When racking new machines, the BMC MAC address can be obtained easily - it is usually printed on a sticker or slide-out tag attached to the chassis alongside other information specific to the machine. However, the system's MAC addresses are usually not known at this time and require at least access to the BMC.

Thus, I had suggested to Thomas and Stefan at the time to allow machine registration even though the main MAC address is not known to register an IP for DHCP for the BMC. The result was apparently this check box which allows to register a new machine without knowing the MAC.

Unfortunately, this option is dysfunctional: when using it, it is not possible to register a MAC address later:

1. Enter 'Change machine' menu of a machine which has been registered without MAC
2. Enter a MAC address
3. Uncheck the 'MAC unknwon' checkbox
4. Hit 'SAVE'
5. Reenter the 'Change machine' menu
6. Observe the MAC address still not being set and the checkbox still checked.

Suggestion:
This option should be scrapped. Instead, the MAC field should have a note: 'Enter FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF if unknown'.
FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF is the broadcase MAC in the ether headers. No device will send this MAC as the source in an DHCP offer. Therefore, it should be save to use.

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Migrated from https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1220819