Open your server’s management IP in a web browser and log in. Navigate to Activation: IMM Management tab and select Activation Key Management , browse for your downloaded file, and click

IBM/Lenovo IMM (Integrated Management Module) Activation Key

If the key was not pre-installed by the factory, you must retrieve it using your server’s specific identifiers: Locate Serial Number: Machine Type (MT) Serial Number (SN) via the server's label or the BIOS. Visit FoD Website: Log in to the Lenovo Features on Demand (formerly IBM) Retrieve History:

Automatically captures the server's video output when an OS failure occurs, aiding in remote troubleshooting.

Use the authorization code provided with your purchase to register the feature.

(Replace zeros with proper encoded key – exact syntax depends on key format — easier to use web GUI.)

Full remote KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) access to the server, allowing you to manage the server as if you were sitting in front of it.

Text-based alerts via Email (SMTP) and SNMP traps.

After Lenovo acquired IBM’s x86 server business, the IMM evolved into . Modern Lenovo ThinkSystem servers use XCC, which has a similar feature activation model (now called "XClarity Pro" or "FoD").

For those still running legacy IBM System x servers with IMM, the activation key remains the only official path to full remote management. However, Lenovo has deprecated some older IMM1/2 key sales. If you cannot purchase a key from Lenovo, secondary market sellers (e.g., ServerSupply, UsedServers.co) sometimes resell unused keys, though this carries risk.

For bulk deployments or headless environments, you can use the or Lenovo OneCLI command-line tools.

Mount local ISO files, DVD drives, or USB sticks as if they were physically plugged into the server—essential for remote OS installations.

Many used servers on eBay or reseller markets advertise “IMM Activated.”

For those with the budget, the licensing process is straightforward. Because the servers are legacy products, pricing may fluctuate based on availability and the reseller. Physical hardware keys are often "end of life" and are being phased out, but the digital Advanced Upgrade key (90Y3901) is still widely available through third-party IT resellers.

While the activation process is generally straightforward, you may encounter occasional errors due to mismatched files or firmware bugs. Error: "Invalid Key File" or "Activation Key Mismatch"