Enterprise hardware usually has an integrated or optional controller
that allows reaching the server even if it’s powered down, either via
dedicated or shared nic. This controller allows some checks on the
server hardware and also perform some settings like changing power
status, changing Boot Order, etc. The Baremetal Operator uses it to
power on, reboot and provision the physical servers to be used for
running workloads on top. Commercial names include iDrac
, iLO
,
iRMC
, etc and most of them should support IPMI
.