Dell iDRAC 8 User manual

iDRAC 8/7 v2.40.40.40 User’s Guide

Notes, cautions, and warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the
problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
©2016 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws. Dell and the Dell
logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of
their respective companies.
2016 - 10
Rev. A00

Contents
1 Overview........................................................................................................................15
Benefits of using iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller.............................................................................................................15
Key features..................................................................................................................................................................... 16
New in this release............................................................................................................................................................18
How to use this user's guide............................................................................................................................................. 19
Supported web browsers..................................................................................................................................................19
Managing licenses ............................................................................................................................................................19
Types of licenses.........................................................................................................................................................19
Methods for acquiring licenses....................................................................................................................................19
License operations...................................................................................................................................................... 19
Licensed features in iDRAC7 and iDRAC8.........................................................................................................................21
Interfaces and protocols to access iDRAC....................................................................................................................... 26
iDRAC port information....................................................................................................................................................28
Other documents you may need...................................................................................................................................... 29
Social media reference.....................................................................................................................................................30
Contacting Dell.................................................................................................................................................................30
Accessing documents from Dell support site....................................................................................................................30
2 Logging in to iDRAC......................................................................................................32
Logging in to iDRAC as local user, Active Directory user, or LDAP user........................................................................... 32
Logging in to iDRAC using a smart card........................................................................................................................... 33
Logging in to iDRAC as a local user using a smart card.............................................................................................. 33
Logging in to iDRAC as an Active Directory user using a smart card..........................................................................34
Logging in to iDRAC using Single Sign-On .......................................................................................................................34
Logging in to iDRAC SSO using iDRAC web interface................................................................................................34
Logging in to iDRAC SSO using CMC web interface..................................................................................................35
Accessing iDRAC using remote RACADM........................................................................................................................35
Validating CA certificate to use remote RACADM on Linux....................................................................................... 35
Accessing iDRAC using local RACADM............................................................................................................................ 35
Accessing iDRAC using firmware RACADM..................................................................................................................... 35
Accessing iDRAC using SMCLP....................................................................................................................................... 36
Logging in to iDRAC using public key authentication........................................................................................................36
Multiple iDRAC sessions...................................................................................................................................................36
Changing default login password......................................................................................................................................36
Changing default login password using web interface................................................................................................ 37
Changing default login password using RACADM.......................................................................................................37
Changing default login password using iDRAC settings utility.....................................................................................37
Enabling or disabling default password warning message ................................................................................................37
Enabling or disabling default password warning message using web interface...........................................................38
Enabling or disabling warning message to change default login password using RACADM.........................................38
Invalid password credentials.............................................................................................................................................38
3

3 Setting up managed system and management station.................................................. 39
Setting up iDRAC IP address............................................................................................................................................39
Setting up iDRAC IP using iDRAC settings utility........................................................................................................40
Setting up iDRAC IP using CMC web interface..........................................................................................................43
Enabling provisioning server....................................................................................................................................... 43
Configuring servers and server components using Auto Config................................................................................. 44
Using hash passwords for improved security............................................................................................................. 49
Setting up management station.......................................................................................................................................50
Accessing iDRAC remotely.........................................................................................................................................50
Setting up managed system..............................................................................................................................................51
Modifying local administrator account settings...........................................................................................................51
Setting up managed system location.......................................................................................................................... 51
Optimizing system performance and power consumption..........................................................................................52
Configuring supported web browsers...............................................................................................................................57
Configuring Internet Explorer..................................................................................................................................... 57
Configuring Mozilla Firefox.........................................................................................................................................58
Configuring web browsers to use virtual console....................................................................................................... 59
Viewing localized versions of web interface............................................................................................................... 62
Updating device firmware................................................................................................................................................ 62
Updating firmware using iDRAC web interface.......................................................................................................... 65
Updating device firmware using RACADM................................................................................................................. 67
Scheduling automatic firmware updates.....................................................................................................................67
Updating firmware using CMC web interface............................................................................................................ 69
Updating firmware using DUP....................................................................................................................................69
Updating firmware using remote RACADM................................................................................................................69
Updating firmware using Lifecycle Controller Remote Services................................................................................. 70
Updating CMC firmware from iDRAC.........................................................................................................................70
Viewing and managing staged updates.............................................................................................................................70
Viewing and managing staged updates using iDRAC web interface........................................................................... 70
Viewing and managing staged updates using RACADM.............................................................................................. 71
Rolling back device firmware.............................................................................................................................................71
Rollback firmware using iDRAC web interface............................................................................................................72
Rollback firmware using CMC web interface..............................................................................................................72
Rollback firmware using RACADM..............................................................................................................................72
Rollback firmware using Lifecycle Controller.............................................................................................................. 73
Rollback firmware using Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services.................................................................................. 73
Recovering iDRAC......................................................................................................................................................73
Using TFTP server......................................................................................................................................................73
Backing up server profile.................................................................................................................................................. 73
Backing up server profile using iDRAC web interface................................................................................................. 74
Backing up server profile using RACADM...................................................................................................................74
Scheduling automatic backup server profile............................................................................................................... 74
Importing server profile.................................................................................................................................................... 75
Easy Restore.............................................................................................................................................................. 76
Importing server profile using iDRAC web interface................................................................................................... 76
4

Importing server profile using RACADM..................................................................................................................... 77
Restore operation sequence.......................................................................................................................................77
Monitoring iDRAC using other Systems Management tools............................................................................................. 77
4 Configuring iDRAC........................................................................................................ 78
Viewing iDRAC information.............................................................................................................................................. 79
Viewing iDRAC information using web interface.........................................................................................................79
Viewing iDRAC information using RACADM............................................................................................................... 79
Modifying network settings..............................................................................................................................................79
Modifying network settings using web interface........................................................................................................80
Modifying network settings using local RACADM...................................................................................................... 80
Configuring IP filtering................................................................................................................................................80
FIPS mode........................................................................................................................................................................ 81
Difference between FIPS-mode supported and FIPS-validated................................................................................. 82
Enabling FIPS Mode................................................................................................................................................... 82
Disabling FIPS mode...................................................................................................................................................82
Configuring services.........................................................................................................................................................82
Configuring services using web interface...................................................................................................................83
Configuring services using RACADM......................................................................................................................... 83
Enabling or disabling HTTPs redirection..................................................................................................................... 83
Configuring TLS......................................................................................................................................................... 83
Using VNC client to manage remote server..................................................................................................................... 84
Configuring VNC server using iDRAC web interface.................................................................................................. 84
Configuring VNC server using RACADM....................................................................................................................85
Setting up VNC viewer with SSL encryption..............................................................................................................85
Setting up VNC viewer without SSL encryption........................................................................................................ 85
Configuring front panel display.........................................................................................................................................85
Configuring LCD setting.............................................................................................................................................86
Configuring system ID LED setting.............................................................................................................................87
Configuring time zone and NTP....................................................................................................................................... 87
Configuring time zone and NTP using iDRAC web interface...................................................................................... 87
Configuring time zone and NTP using RACADM........................................................................................................ 87
Setting first boot device...................................................................................................................................................87
Setting first boot device using web interface.............................................................................................................88
Setting first boot device using RACADM................................................................................................................... 88
Setting first boot device using virtual console............................................................................................................88
Enabling last crash screen..........................................................................................................................................88
Enabling or disabling OS to iDRAC Pass-through............................................................................................................. 89
Supported cards for OS to iDRAC Pass-through ...................................................................................................... 90
Supported operating systems for USB NIC................................................................................................................90
Enabling or disabling OS to iDRAC Pass-through using web interface....................................................................... 92
Enabling or disabling OS to iDRAC Pass-through using RACADM..............................................................................93
Enabling or disabling OS to iDRAC Pass-through using iDRAC settings utility............................................................93
Obtaining certificates.......................................................................................................................................................93
SSL server certificates...............................................................................................................................................94
Generating a new certificate signing request............................................................................................................. 95
5

Uploading server certificate....................................................................................................................................... 95
Viewing server certificate...........................................................................................................................................96
Uploading custom signing certificate..........................................................................................................................96
Downloading custom SSL certificate signing certificate ............................................................................................97
Deleting custom SSL certificate signing certificate.................................................................................................... 97
Configuring multiple iDRACs using RACADM................................................................................................................... 98
Creating an iDRAC configuration file..........................................................................................................................98
Disabling access to modify iDRAC configuration settings on host system........................................................................99
5 Viewing iDRAC and managed system information........................................................100
Viewing managed system health and properties.............................................................................................................100
Viewing system inventory...............................................................................................................................................100
Viewing sensor information............................................................................................................................................. 101
Monitoring performance index of CPU, memory, and I/O modules.................................................................................103
Monitoring performance index for of CPU, memory, and I/O modules using web interface..................................... 104
Monitoring performance index for of CPU, memory, and I/O modules using RACADM............................................104
Checking the system for fresh air compliance................................................................................................................ 104
Viewing historical temperature data................................................................................................................................104
Viewing historical temperature data using iDRAC web interface.............................................................................. 105
Viewing historical temperature data using RACADM................................................................................................ 105
Configuring warning threshold for inlet temperature................................................................................................ 105
Viewing network interfaces available on host OS........................................................................................................... 106
Viewing network interfaces available on host OS using web interface......................................................................106
Viewing network interfaces available on host OS using RACADM............................................................................106
Viewing FlexAddress mezzanine card fabric connections............................................................................................... 107
Viewing or terminating iDRAC sessions...........................................................................................................................107
Terminating iDRAC sessions using web interface......................................................................................................107
Terminating iDRAC sessions using RACADM............................................................................................................107
6 Setting up iDRAC communication................................................................................109
Communicating with iDRAC through serial connection using DB9 cable......................................................................... 110
Configuring BIOS for serial connection......................................................................................................................110
Enabling RAC serial connection.................................................................................................................................. 111
Enabling IPMI serial connection basic and terminal modes......................................................................................... 111
Switching between RAC serial and serial console while using DB9 cable.........................................................................113
Switching from serial console to RAC serial...............................................................................................................113
Switching from RAC serial to serial console...............................................................................................................113
Communicating with iDRAC using IPMI SOL................................................................................................................... 113
Configuring BIOS for serial connection......................................................................................................................114
Configuring iDRAC to use SOL..................................................................................................................................114
Enabling supported protocol......................................................................................................................................115
Communicating with iDRAC using IPMI over LAN........................................................................................................... 119
Configuring IPMI over LAN using web interface........................................................................................................119
Configuring IPMI over LAN using iDRAC settings utility............................................................................................ 119
Configuring IPMI over LAN using RACADM.............................................................................................................. 119
Enabling or disabling remote RACADM...........................................................................................................................120
6

Enabling or disabling remote RACADM using web interface..................................................................................... 120
Enabling or disabling remote RACADM using RACADM............................................................................................120
Disabling local RACADM................................................................................................................................................. 120
Enabling IPMI on managed system................................................................................................................................. 120
Configuring Linux for serial console during boot............................................................................................................. 120
Enabling login to the virtual console after boot..........................................................................................................121
Supported SSH cryptography schemes..........................................................................................................................122
Using public key authentication for SSH...................................................................................................................123
7 Configuring user accounts and privileges..................................................................... 127
Recommended characters in user names and passwords............................................................................................... 127
Configuring local users....................................................................................................................................................128
Configuring local users using iDRAC web interface...................................................................................................128
Configuring local users using RACADM.................................................................................................................... 128
Configuring Active Directory users................................................................................................................................. 129
Prerequisites for using Active Directory authentication for iDRAC........................................................................... 130
Supported Active Directory authentication mechanisms...........................................................................................132
Standard schema Active Directory overview............................................................................................................ 132
Configuring Standard schema Active Directory........................................................................................................ 134
Extended schema Active Directory overview........................................................................................................... 135
Configuring Extended schema Active Directory........................................................................................................138
Testing Active Directory settings..............................................................................................................................145
Configuring generic LDAP users..................................................................................................................................... 146
Configuring generic LDAP directory service using iDRAC web-based interface........................................................146
Configuring generic LDAP directory service using RACADM.................................................................................... 147
Testing LDAP directory service settings................................................................................................................... 147
8 Configuring iDRAC for Single Sign-On or smart card login.......................................... 148
Prerequisites for Active Directory Single Sign-On or smart card login............................................................................ 148
Registering iDRAC as a computer in Active Directory root domain........................................................................... 148
Generating Kerberos keytab file................................................................................................................................149
Creating Active Directory objects and providing privileges....................................................................................... 149
Configuring iDRAC SSO login for Active Directory users................................................................................................150
Configuring iDRAC SSO login for Active Directory users using web interface.......................................................... 150
Configuring iDRAC SSO login for Active Directory users using RACADM.................................................................150
Configuring iDRAC smart card login for local users.........................................................................................................150
Uploading smart card user certificate.......................................................................................................................150
Uploading trusted CA certificate for smart card........................................................................................................151
Configuring iDRAC smart card login for Active Directory users....................................................................................... 151
Enabling or disabling smart card login............................................................................................................................. 152
Enabling or disabling smart card login using web interface........................................................................................152
Enabling or disabling smart card login using RACADM..............................................................................................152
Enabling or disabling smart card login using iDRAC settings utility............................................................................152
9 Configuring iDRAC to send alerts................................................................................ 153
Enabling or disabling alerts..............................................................................................................................................153
7

Enabling or disabling alerts using web interface........................................................................................................153
Enabling or disabling alerts using RACADM...............................................................................................................154
Enabling or disabling alerts using iDRAC settings utility.............................................................................................154
Filtering alerts ................................................................................................................................................................ 154
Filtering alerts using iDRAC web interface................................................................................................................154
Filtering alerts using RACADM..................................................................................................................................154
Setting event alerts........................................................................................................................................................ 155
Setting event alerts using web interface.................................................................................................................. 155
Setting event alerts using RACADM.........................................................................................................................155
Setting alert recurrence event........................................................................................................................................155
Setting alert recurrence events using iDRAC web interface.....................................................................................155
Setting alert recurrence events using RACADM.......................................................................................................156
Setting event actions......................................................................................................................................................156
Setting event actions using web interface................................................................................................................156
Setting event actions using RACADM...................................................................................................................... 156
Configuring email alert, SNMP trap, or IPMI trap settings.............................................................................................. 156
Configuring IP alert destinations............................................................................................................................... 157
Configuring email alert settings.................................................................................................................................158
Configuring WS Eventing............................................................................................................................................... 160
Configuring Redfish Eventing......................................................................................................................................... 160
Monitoring chassis events.............................................................................................................................................. 160
Monitoring chassis events using the iDRAC web interface.......................................................................................160
Monitoring chassis events using RACADM...............................................................................................................160
Alerts message IDs.......................................................................................................................................................... 161
10 Managing logs............................................................................................................ 164
Viewing System Event Log.............................................................................................................................................164
Viewing System Event Log using web interface....................................................................................................... 164
Viewing System Event Log using RACADM..............................................................................................................164
Viewing System Event Log using iDRAC settings utility............................................................................................165
Viewing Lifecycle log ..................................................................................................................................................... 165
Viewing Lifecycle log using web interface.................................................................................................................166
Viewing Lifecycle log using RACADM.......................................................................................................................166
Exporting Lifecycle Controller logs................................................................................................................................. 166
Exporting Lifecycle Controller logs using web interface............................................................................................166
Exporting Lifecycle Controller logs using RACADM.................................................................................................. 166
Adding work notes..........................................................................................................................................................167
Configuring remote system logging.................................................................................................................................167
Configuring remote system logging using web interface...........................................................................................167
Configuring remote system logging using RACADM................................................................................................. 167
11 Monitoring and managing power.................................................................................168
Monitoring power........................................................................................................................................................... 168
Monitoring power using web interface......................................................................................................................168
Monitoring power using RACADM............................................................................................................................168
Setting warning threshold for power consumption.........................................................................................................169
8

Setting warning threshold for power consumption using web interface................................................................... 169
Executing power control operations............................................................................................................................... 169
Executing power control operations using web interface..........................................................................................169
Executing power control operations using RACADM................................................................................................ 170
Power capping................................................................................................................................................................170
Power capping in Blade servers................................................................................................................................ 170
Viewing and configuring power cap policy................................................................................................................ 170
Configuring power supply options....................................................................................................................................171
Configuring power supply options using web interface............................................................................................. 172
Configuring power supply options using RACADM....................................................................................................172
Configuring power supply options using iDRAC settings utility..................................................................................172
Enabling or disabling power button................................................................................................................................. 172
12 Inventorying, monitoring, and configuring network devices........................................173
Inventorying and monitoring network devices.................................................................................................................173
Monitoring network devices using web interface......................................................................................................173
Monitoring network devices using RACADM............................................................................................................ 174
Inventorying and monitoring FC HBA devices.................................................................................................................174
Monitoring FC HBA devices using web interface...................................................................................................... 174
Monitoring FC HBA devices using RACADM.............................................................................................................174
Dynamic configuration of virtual addresses, initiator, and storage target settings...........................................................174
Supported cards for I/O Identity Optimization..........................................................................................................175
Supported NIC firmware versions for I/O Identity Optimization............................................................................... 176
Virtual/Flex Address and Persistence Policy behavior when iDRAC is set to Flex Address mode or Console mode..176
System behavior for FlexAddress and I/O Identity....................................................................................................177
Enabling or disabling I/O Identity Optimization..........................................................................................................178
Configuring persistence policy settings.....................................................................................................................179
13 Managing storage devices..........................................................................................182
Understanding RAID concepts........................................................................................................................................183
What is RAID?.......................................................................................................................................................... 183
Organizing data storage for availability and performance..........................................................................................184
Choosing RAID levels ...............................................................................................................................................185
Comparing RAID level performance..........................................................................................................................190
Supported controllers......................................................................................................................................................191
Supported RAID controllers.......................................................................................................................................191
Supported non-RAID controllers...............................................................................................................................192
Supported enclosures.....................................................................................................................................................192
Summary of supported features for storage devices......................................................................................................192
Inventorying and monitoring storage devices..................................................................................................................194
Monitoring storage devices using web interface.......................................................................................................194
Monitoring storage devices using RACADM............................................................................................................. 195
Monitoring backplane using iDRAC settings utility.................................................................................................... 195
Viewing storage device topology.................................................................................................................................... 195
Managing physical disks..................................................................................................................................................195
Assigning or unassigning physical disk as global hot spare........................................................................................ 195
9

Converting a physical disk to RAID or non-RAID mode............................................................................................. 197
Managing virtual disks.....................................................................................................................................................197
Creating virtual disks................................................................................................................................................ 198
Editing virtual disk cache policies..............................................................................................................................199
Deleting virtual disks................................................................................................................................................ 200
Checking virtual disk consistency.............................................................................................................................200
Initializing virtual disks...............................................................................................................................................201
Encrypting virtual disks.............................................................................................................................................201
Assigning or unassigning dedicated hot spares........................................................................................................ 202
Managing virtual disks using web interface..............................................................................................................202
Managing virtual disks using RACADM.................................................................................................................... 203
Managing controllers......................................................................................................................................................203
Configuring controller properties..............................................................................................................................204
Importing or auto importing foreign configuration....................................................................................................206
Clearing foreign configuration..................................................................................................................................208
Resetting controller configuration............................................................................................................................208
Switching the controller mode.................................................................................................................................209
12 Gbps SAS HBA adapter operations...................................................................................................................... 210
Monitoring predictive failure analysis on drives..........................................................................................................211
Controller operations in non-RAID (HBA) mode........................................................................................................ 211
Running RAID configuration jobs on multiple storage controllers............................................................................... 211
Managing PCIe SSDs.......................................................................................................................................................211
Inventorying and monitoring PCIe SSDs................................................................................................................... 212
Preparing to remove PCIe SSD.................................................................................................................................213
Erasing PCIe SSD device data.................................................................................................................................. 214
Managing enclosures or backplanes................................................................................................................................215
Configuring backplane mode.....................................................................................................................................215
Viewing universal slots..............................................................................................................................................218
Setting SGPIO mode................................................................................................................................................ 218
Choosing operation mode to apply settings.................................................................................................................... 219
Choosing operation mode using web interface......................................................................................................... 219
Choosing operation mode using RACADM...............................................................................................................220
Viewing and applying pending operations.......................................................................................................................220
Viewing, applying, or deleting pending operations using web interface.................................................................... 220
Viewing and applying pending operations using RACADM........................................................................................ 221
Storage devices — apply operation scenarios................................................................................................................ 221
................................................................................................................................................................................. 221
Blinking or unblinking component LEDs..........................................................................................................................222
Blinking or unblinking component LEDs using web interface.................................................................................... 223
Blinking or unblinking component LEDs using RACADM...........................................................................................223
14 Configuring and using virtual console.........................................................................224
Supported screen resolutions and refresh rates.............................................................................................................224
Configuring virtual console.............................................................................................................................................225
Configuring virtual console using web interface.......................................................................................................225
Configuring virtual console using RACADM............................................................................................................. 225
10

Previewing virtual console..............................................................................................................................................225
Launching virtual console...............................................................................................................................................225
Launching virtual console using web interface......................................................................................................... 226
Launching virtual console using a URL..................................................................................................................... 226
Disabling warning messages while launching virtual console or virtual media using Java or ActiveX plug-in............. 227
Using virtual console viewer...........................................................................................................................................227
HTML5 based virtual console...................................................................................................................................227
Synchronizing mouse pointers................................................................................................................................. 229
Passing all keystrokes through virtual console for Java or ActiveX plug-in...............................................................230
15 Managing virtual media..............................................................................................233
Supported drives and devices........................................................................................................................................ 233
Configuring virtual media................................................................................................................................................234
Configuring virtual media using iDRAC web interface.............................................................................................. 234
Configuring virtual media using RACADM................................................................................................................ 234
Configuring virtual media using iDRAC settings utility.............................................................................................. 234
Attached media state and system response.............................................................................................................234
Accessing virtual media..................................................................................................................................................235
Launching virtual media using virtual console...........................................................................................................235
Launching virtual media without using virtual console..............................................................................................236
Adding virtual media images.....................................................................................................................................236
Viewing virtual device details....................................................................................................................................237
Resetting USB..........................................................................................................................................................237
Mapping virtual drive................................................................................................................................................237
Unmapping virtual drive........................................................................................................................................... 238
Setting boot order through BIOS................................................................................................................................... 238
Enabling boot once for virtual media.............................................................................................................................. 239
16 Installing and using VMCLI utility............................................................................... 240
Installing VMCLI.............................................................................................................................................................240
Running VMCLI utility.................................................................................................................................................... 240
VMCLI syntax................................................................................................................................................................ 240
VMCLI commands to access virtual media .............................................................................................................. 241
VMCLI operating system shell options .....................................................................................................................241
17 Managing vFlash SD card...........................................................................................243
Configuring vFlash SD card............................................................................................................................................243
Viewing vFlash SD card properties...........................................................................................................................243
Enabling or disabling vFlash functionality..................................................................................................................244
Initializing vFlash SD card.........................................................................................................................................244
Getting the last status using RACADM....................................................................................................................245
Managing vFlash partitions............................................................................................................................................ 245
Creating an empty partition..................................................................................................................................... 246
Creating a partition using an image file.....................................................................................................................246
Formatting a partition...............................................................................................................................................247
Viewing available partitions...................................................................................................................................... 248
11

Modifying a partition................................................................................................................................................ 248
Attaching or detaching partitions.............................................................................................................................249
Deleting existing partitions.......................................................................................................................................250
Downloading partition contents............................................................................................................................... 250
Booting to a partition................................................................................................................................................251
18 Using SMCLP............................................................................................................ 252
System management capabilities using SMCLP.............................................................................................................252
Running SMCLP commands.......................................................................................................................................... 252
iDRAC SMCLP syntax....................................................................................................................................................253
Navigating the map address space................................................................................................................................ 255
Using show verb............................................................................................................................................................ 256
Using the -display option..........................................................................................................................................256
Using the -level option.............................................................................................................................................256
Using the -output option..........................................................................................................................................256
Usage examples.............................................................................................................................................................256
Server power management......................................................................................................................................256
SEL management.....................................................................................................................................................257
Map target navigation..............................................................................................................................................259
19 Using iDRAC Service Module.....................................................................................260
Installing iDRAC Service Module.................................................................................................................................... 260
Supported operating systems for iDRAC Service Module..............................................................................................260
iDRAC Service Module monitoring features...................................................................................................................260
Redfish profile support for network attributes..........................................................................................................261
Operating system information...................................................................................................................................261
Replicate Lifecycle logs to OS log.............................................................................................................................261
Automatic system recovery options..........................................................................................................................261
Windows Management Instrumentation providers...................................................................................................262
Remote iDRAC Hard Reset......................................................................................................................................263
In-band Support for iDRAC SNMP Alerts.................................................................................................................264
iDRAC access via Host OS (Experimental Feature)................................................................................................. 265
Coexistence of OpenManage Server Administrator and iDRAC Service Module......................................................267
Using iDRAC Service Module from iDRAC web interface...............................................................................................267
Using iDRAC Service Module from RACADM.................................................................................................................267
Using iDRAC Service Module on Windows Nano OS......................................................................................................267
20 Using USB port for server management....................................................................269
Accessing iDRAC interface over direct USB connection................................................................................................269
Configuring iDRAC using server configuration profile on USB device.............................................................................270
Configuring USB management port settings............................................................................................................270
Importing server configuration profile from USB device ..........................................................................................272
21 Using iDRAC Quick Sync............................................................................................274
Configuring iDRAC Quick Sync.......................................................................................................................................274
Configuring iDRAC Quick Sync settings using web interface................................................................................... 275
12

Configuring iDRAC Quick Sync settings using RACADM..........................................................................................275
Configuring iDRAC Quick Sync settings using iDRAC settings utility........................................................................275
Using mobile device to view iDRAC information.............................................................................................................275
22 Deploying operating systems.....................................................................................276
Deploying operating system using remote file share.......................................................................................................276
Managing remote file share......................................................................................................................................276
Configuring remote file share using web interface....................................................................................................277
Configuring remote file share using RACADM..........................................................................................................278
Deploying operating system using virtual media............................................................................................................. 278
Installing operating system from multiple disks.........................................................................................................279
Deploying embedded operating system on SD card....................................................................................................... 279
Enabling SD module and redundancy in BIOS...........................................................................................................279
23 Troubleshooting managed system using iDRAC........................................................ 280
Using diagnostic console................................................................................................................................................280
Scheduling remote automated diagnostics...............................................................................................................280
Scheduling remote automated diagnostics using RACADM......................................................................................281
Viewing post codes.........................................................................................................................................................281
Viewing boot and crash capture videos..........................................................................................................................282
Configuring video capture settings.......................................................................................................................... 282
Viewing logs...................................................................................................................................................................282
Viewing last system crash screen.................................................................................................................................. 282
Viewing front panel status............................................................................................................................................. 283
Viewing system front panel LCD status................................................................................................................... 283
Viewing system front panel LED status....................................................................................................................283
Hardware trouble indicators...........................................................................................................................................284
Viewing system health................................................................................................................................................... 284
Generating SupportAssist Collection..............................................................................................................................285
Generating SupportAssist Collection automatically.................................................................................................. 286
Generating SupportAssist Collection manually......................................................................................................... 286
Checking server status screen for error messages........................................................................................................ 288
Restarting iDRAC...........................................................................................................................................................288
Resetting iDRAC using iDRAC web interface...........................................................................................................288
Resetting iDRAC using RACADM.............................................................................................................................288
Erasing system and user data........................................................................................................................................ 288
Resetting iDRAC to factory default settings.................................................................................................................. 289
Resetting iDRAC to factory default settings using iDRAC web interface.................................................................289
Resetting iDRAC to factory default settings using iDRAC settings utility.................................................................289
24 Frequently asked questions.......................................................................................290
System Event Log......................................................................................................................................................... 290
Network security........................................................................................................................................................... 290
Active Directory..............................................................................................................................................................291
Single Sign-On............................................................................................................................................................... 293
Smart card login.............................................................................................................................................................294
13

Virtual console................................................................................................................................................................294
Virtual media.................................................................................................................................................................. 297
vFlash SD card...............................................................................................................................................................299
SNMP authentication.................................................................................................................................................... 299
Storage devices.............................................................................................................................................................300
iDRAC Service Module...................................................................................................................................................300
RACADM....................................................................................................................................................................... 302
Miscellaneous.................................................................................................................................................................303
How to find an iDRAC IP address for a blade server?..............................................................................................303
How to find the CMC IP address related to the blade server?.................................................................................303
How to find iDRAC IP address for rack and tower server?...................................................................................... 304
iDRAC network connection is not working...............................................................................................................304
Inserted the blade server into the chassis and pressed the power switch, but it did not power on..........................304
How to retrieve an iDRAC administrative user name and password?.......................................................................304
How to change the name of the slot for the system in a chassis?...........................................................................304
iDRAC on blade server is not responding during boot.............................................................................................. 304
When attempting to boot the managed server, the power indicator is green, but there is no POST or no video.....304
25 Use case scenarios....................................................................................................306
Troubleshooting an inaccessible managed system......................................................................................................... 306
Obtaining system information and assess system health................................................................................................307
Setting up alerts and configuring email alerts.................................................................................................................307
Viewing and exporting Lifecycle log and System Event Log...........................................................................................307
Interfaces to update iDRAC firmware............................................................................................................................ 307
Performing graceful shutdown.......................................................................................................................................307
Creating new administrator user account...................................................................................................................... 308
Launching server's remote console and mounting a USB drive......................................................................................308
Installing bare metal OS using attached virtual media and remote file share.................................................................. 308
Managing rack density...................................................................................................................................................308
Installing new electronic license..................................................................................................................................... 309
Applying I/O Identity configuration settings for multiple network cards in single host system reboot ...........................309
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1
Overview
The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is designed to make server administrators more productive and improve the
overall availability of Dell servers. iDRAC alerts administrators to server issues, helps them perform remote server management, and
reduces the need for physical access to the server.
iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller technology is part of a larger data center solution that helps keep business critical applications and
workloads available always. The technology allows administrators to deploy, monitor, manage, configure, update, troubleshoot and
remediate Dell servers from any location, and without the use of agents. It accomplishes this regardless of operating system or
hypervisor presence or state.
Several products work with the iDRAC and Lifecycle Controller to simplify and streamline IT operations, such as:
• Dell Management plug-in for VMware vCenter
• Dell Repository Manager
• Dell Management Packs for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) and Microsoft System Center
Configuration Manager (SCCM)
• BMC Bladelogic
• Dell OpenManage Essentials
• Dell OpenManage Power Center
The iDRAC is available in the following variants:
• Basic Management with IPMI (available by default for 200-500 series servers)
• iDRAC Express (available by default on all 600 and higher series of rack or tower servers, and all blade servers)
• iDRAC Enterprise (available on all server models)
For more information, see the iDRAC Overview and Feature Guide available at dell.com/support/manuals.
Benefits of using iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller
The benefits include:
• Increased Availability — Early notification of potential or actual failures that help prevent a server failure or reduce recovery time
after failure.
• Improved Productivity and Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) — Extending the reach of administrators to larger numbers of
distant servers can make IT staff more productive while driving down operational costs such as travel.
• Secure Environment — By providing secure access to remote servers, administrators can perform critical management
functions while maintaining server and network security.
• Enhanced Embedded Management through Lifecycle Controller – Lifecycle Controller provides deployment and simplified
serviceability through Lifecycle Controller GUI for local deployment and Remote Services (WS-Management) interfaces for
remote deployment integrated with Dell OpenManage Essentials and partner consoles.
For more information on Lifecycle Controller GUI, see Lifecycle Controller User’s Guide and for remote services, see Lifecycle
Controller Remote Services User’s Guide available at dell.com/idracmanuals.
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Key features
The key features in iDRAC include:
NOTE: Some of the features are available only with iDRAC Enterprise license. For information on the features available
for a license, see Managing licenses.
Inventory and Monitoring
• View managed server health.
• Inventory and monitor network adapters and storage subsystem (PERC and direct attached storage) without any operating
system agents.
• View and export system inventory.
• View sensor information such as temperature, voltage, and intrusion.
• Monitor CPU state, processor automatic throttling, and predictive failure.
• View memory information.
• Monitor and control power usage.
• Support for SNMPv3 gets and alerts.
• For blade servers: launch Chassis Management Controller (CMC) web interface, view CMC information, and WWN/MAC
addresses.
NOTE: CMC provides access to iDRAC through the M1000E Chassis LCD panel and local console connections. For
more information, see Chassis Management Controller User’s Guide available at dell.com/support/manuals.
• View network interfaces available on host operating systems.
• View inventory and monitor information and configure basic iDRAC settings using iDRAC Quick Sync feature and a mobile
device.
Deployment
• Manage vFlash SD card partitions.
• Configure front panel display settings.
• Manage iDRAC network settings.
• Configure and use virtual console and virtual media.
• Deploy operating systems using remote file share, virtual media, and VMCLI.
• Enable auto-discovery.
• Perform server configuration using the export or import XML profile feature through RACADM and WS-MAN. For more
information, see the Lifecycle Controller Remote Services Quick Start Guide.
• Configure persistence policy for virtual addresses, initiator, and storage targets.
• Remotely configure storage devices attached to the system at run-time.
• Perform the following operations for storage devices:
– Physical disks: Assign or unassign physical disk as a global hot spare.
– Virtual disks:
* Create virtual disks.
* Edit virtual disks cache policies.
* Check virtual disk consistency.
* Initialize virtual disks.
* Encrypt virtual disks.
* Assign or unassign dedicated hot spare.
* Delete virtual disks.
– Controllers:
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* Configure controller properties.
* Import or auto-import foreign configuration.
* Clear foreign configuration.
* Reset controller configuration.
* Create or change security keys.
– PCIe SSD devices:
* Inventory and remotely monitor the health of PCIe SSD devices in the server.
* Prepare the PCIe SSD to be removed.
* Securely erase the data.
– Set the backplane mode (unified or split mode).
– Blink or unblink component LEDs.
– Apply the device settings immediately, at next system reboot, at a scheduled time, or as a pending operation to be applied as
a batch as part of the single job.
Update
• Manage iDRAC licenses.
• Update BIOS and device firmware for devices supported by Lifecycle Controller.
• Update or rollback iDRAC firmware and Lifecycle Controller firmware using a single firmware image.
• Manage staged updates.
• Back up and restore server profile.
• Access iDRAC interface over direct USB connection.
• Configure iDRAC using Server Configuration Profiles on USB device.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
• Perform power-related operations and monitor power consumption.
• Optimize system performance and power consumption by modifying the thermal settings.
• No dependency on OpenManage Server Administrator for generation of alerts.
• Log event data: Lifecycle and RAC logs.
• Set email alerts, IPMI alerts, remote system logs, WS Eventing logs, Redfish event, and SNMP traps (v1, v2c, and v3) for events
and improved email alert notification.
• Capture last system crash image.
• View boot and crash capture videos.
• Out-of-band monitor and alert the performance index of CPU, memory, and I/O modules.
• Configure warning threshold for inlet temperature and power consumption.
• Use iDRAC Service Module to:
– View operating system information.
– Replicate Lifecycle Controller logs to operating system logs.
– Automatic system recovery options.
– Remotely hard-reset iDRAC
– Enable in-band iDRAC SNMP alerts
– Access iDRAC using host OS (experimental feature)
– Populate Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) information.
– Integrate with SupportAssist collection. This is applicable only if iDRAC Service Module Version 2.0 or later is installed. For
more information, see Generating SupportAssist Collection.
– Prepare to remove NVMe PCIe SSD. For more information, see Preparing to remove PCIe SSD.
• Generate SupportAssist collection in the following ways:
– Automatic — Using iDRAC Service Module that automatically invokes the OS Collector tool.
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– Manual — Using OS Collector tool.
Dell Best Practices regarding iDRAC
• iDRACs are intended to be on a separate management network; they are not designed nor intended to be placed on or
connected to the internet. Doing so could expose the connected system to security and other risks for which Dell is not
responsible.
• Along with locating iDRACs on a separate management subnet, users should isolate the management subnet/vLAN with
technologies such as firewalls, and limit access to the subnet/vLAN to authorized server administrators.
Secure Connectivity
Securing access to critical network resources is a priority. iDRAC implements a range of security features that includes:
• Custom signing certificate for Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate.
• Signed firmware updates.
• User authentication through Microsoft Active Directory, generic Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) Directory
Service, or locally administered user IDs and passwords.
• Two-factor authentication using the Smart–Card logon feature. The two-factor authentication is based on the physical smart
card and the smart card PIN.
• Single Sign-On and Public Key Authentication.
• Role-based authorization, to configure specific privileges for each user.
• SNMPv3 authentication for user accounts stored locally in the iDRAC. It is recommended to use this, but it is disabled by
default.
• User ID and password configuration.
• Default login password modification.
• Set user passwords and BIOS passwords using one-way hash format for improved security.
• FIPS 140-2 Level 1 capability.
• Support for TLS 1.2, 1.1, and 1.0. To enhance security, default setting is TLS 1.1 and higher.
• SMCLP and web interfaces that support 128 bit and 40-bit encryption (for countries where 128 bit is not acceptable), using the
TLS 1.2 standard.
NOTE: To ensure a secure connection, Dell recommends using TLS 1.1 and higher.
• Session time-out configuration (in seconds).
• Configurable IP ports (for HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, Telnet, Virtual Console, and Virtual Media).
NOTE: Telnet does not support SSL encryption and is disabled by default.
• Secure Shell (SSH) that uses an encrypted transport layer for higher security.
• Login failure limits per IP address, with login blocking from that IP address when the limit is exceeded.
• Limited IP address range for clients connecting to iDRAC.
• Dedicated Gigabit Ethernet adapter available on rack and tower servers (additional hardware may be required).
New in this release
• Added support for Redfish 1.0.2, a RESTful Application Programming Interface (API), which is standardized by the Distributed
Management Task Force (DMTF). It provides a scalable and secured systems management interface. To get the IPv6 and VLAN
information, install iDRAC Service Module (iSM).
• Added support for Server Configuration Profile using Redfish interface.
• Added support to disable TLS 1.0. Option to select TLS 1.0 and higher, 1.1 and higher, or 1.2 only.
• FIPS 140-2 Level 1 capability.
• Added support for LDAP authentication with OpenDS.
• Added support of Amulet card on PowerEdge M830.
• Added additional information in LC logs for some configuration jobs initiated using remote RACADM or the web interface.
• Added Dell Tech Center link on the login page.
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How to use this user's guide
The contents of this User's Guide enable you to perform the tasks by using:
• iDRAC web interface — Only the task-related information is provided here. For information about the fields and options, see the
iDRAC Online Help that you can access from the web interface.
• RACADM — The RACADM command or the object that you must use is provided here. For more information, see the iDRAC
RACADM Command Line Reference Guide available at dell.com/idracmanuals.
• iDRAC Settings Utility — Only the task-related information is provided here. For information about the fields and options, see
the iDRAC Settings Utility Online Help that you can access when you click Help in the iDRAC Settings GUI (press <F2> during
boot, and then click iDRAC Settings on the System Setup Main Menu page).
Supported web browsers
iDRAC is supported on the following browsers:
• Internet Explorer
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Safari
For the list of supported versions, see the iDRAC Release Notes available at dell.com/idracmanuals.
Managing licenses
iDRAC features are available based on the purchased license (Basic Management, iDRAC Express, or iDRAC Enterprise). Only
licensed features are available in the interfaces that allow you to configure or use iDRAC. For example, iDRAC Web interface,
RACADM, WS-MAN, OpenManage Server Administrator, and so on. Some features, such as dedicated NIC or vFlash requires
iDRAC ports card. This is optional on 200-500 series servers.
iDRAC license management and firmware update functionality is available through iDRAC Web interface and RACADM.
Types of licenses
The types of licenses offered are:
• 30 day evaluation and extension — The license expires after 30 days and can be extended for 30 days. Evaluation licenses are
duration based, and the timer runs when power is applied to the system.
• Perpetual — The license is bound to the service tag and is permanent.
Methods for acquiring licenses
Use any of the following methods to acquire the licenses:
• Email — License is attached to an email that is sent after requesting it from the technical support center.
• Self-service portal — A link to the Self-Service Portal is available from iDRAC. Click this link to open the licensing Self-Service
Portal on the Internet. Currently, you can use the License Self-Service Portal to retrieve licenses that were purchased with the
server. You must contact the sales representative or technical support to buy a new or upgrade license. For more information,
see the online help for the self-service portal page.
• Point-of-sale — License is acquired while placing the order for a system.
License operations
Before you perform the license management tasks, make sure to acquire the licenses. For more information, see the Overview and
Feature Guide available at dell.com/support/manuals.
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NOTE: If you have purchased a system with all the licenses pre-installed, then license management is not required.
You can perform the following licensing operations using iDRAC, RACADM, WS-MAN, and Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services for
one-to-one license management, and Dell License Manager for one-to-many license management:
• View — View the current license information.
• Import — After acquiring the license, store the license in a local storage and import it into iDRAC using one of the supported
interfaces. The license is imported if it passes the validation checks.
NOTE: For a few features, a system restart is required to enable the features.
• Export — Export the installed license into an external storage device for backup or to reinstall it again after a part or
motherboard replacement. The file name and format of the exported license is <EntitlementID>.xml.
• Delete — Delete the license that is assigned to a component if the component is missing. After the license is deleted, it is not
stored in iDRAC and the base product functions are enabled.
• Replace — Replace the license to extend an evaluation license, change a license type such as an evaluation license with a
purchased license, or extend an expired license.
– An evaluation license may be replaced with an upgraded evaluation license or with a purchased license.
– A purchased license may be replaced with an updated license or with an upgraded license.
• Learn More — Learn more about an installed license, or the licenses available for a component installed in the server.
NOTE: For the Learn More option to display the correct page, make sure that *.dell.com is added to the list of
Trusted Sites in the Security Settings. For more information, see the Internet Explorer help documentation.
For one-to-many license deployment, you can use Dell License Manager. For more information, see the Dell License Manager User’s
Guide available at dell.com/support/manuals.
Importing license after replacing motherboard
You can use the Local iDRAC Enterprise License Installation Tool if you have recently replaced the motherboard and need to reinstall
the iDRAC Enterprise license locally (with no network connectivity) and activate the dedicated NIC. This utility installs a 30-day trial
iDRAC Enterprise license and allows you to reset the iDRAC to change from shared NIC to dedicated NIC.
License component state or condition and available operations
The following table provides the list of license operations available based on the license state or condition.
Table 1. License operations based on state and condition
License/
Component state
or condition
Import Export Delete Replace Learn More
Non-administrator
login No No No No Yes
Active license Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Expired license No Yes Yes Yes Yes
License installed but
component missing No Yes Yes No Yes
NOTE: In the iDRAC Web interface, on the Licenses page, expand the device to view the Replace option in the drop-
down menu.
Managing licenses using iDRAC web interface
To manage the licenses using the iDRAC web interface, go to Overview → Server → Licenses.
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