Using iDRAC with a Dell R430, R630, or R730 Server

This chapter provides step-by-step instructions for using the integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) Enterprise Version to install the DMF Controller image on Dell R430 servers and the DMF Service Node Appliance image on Dell R630 or R730 servers.

This chapter was validated using iDRAC Enterprise Version 2.10.10 and DMF Release 6.0.1. The instructions were tested with DMF Controller Release 6.0.1 on Dell R430 and DMF Service Node Appliance Release 6.0.1 on Dell R630 or R730.

The instructions in this chapter tested using macOS are similar to those tested using Windows OS. Use Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Safari browsers to access the iDRAC web interface.
Note: The iDRAC features require a separate iDRAC Enterprise license on the Dell R430/R630/R730 hardware appliances.

To purchase an iDRAC Enterprise license, contact Dell Sales at https://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/19/campaigns/contact-us-phone-number.

Alternatively, purchase an iDRAC Enterprise license from Dell Digital Locker (DDL). https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000130349/how-to-obtain-idrac-enterprise-licenses-from-dell-digital-locker-ddl.

Setting Up and Configuring iDRAC

Complete the following steps to set up iDRAC on a Dell R430, R630, or R730 server.

Procedure

  1. Turn on the Dell PowerEdge Server.
  2. Connect a monitor to the VGA port and the keyboard to the USB port.
    Note: When using the serial port to connect to the R430, R630, or R730, set the baud rate to 115200.
  3. Press <F2> to enter the System Setup Main Menu screen.
    Figure 1. System Setup Main Menu
  4. Select iDRAC Settings from the System Setup Main Menu (F2 > iDRAC Settings).
    Figure 2. iDRAC Settings
  5. Use the arrow keys to select Network.
    Figure 3. iDRAC Settings > Network
  6. Select an option from the NIC Selection list for use with iDRAC. In this example, LOM1.
    The options provided by both Dell R430 and R630 or R730 servers include LOM1, LOM2, LOM3, and LOM4. In addition to the LOM options, the Dell R630 or R730 provides a dedicated NIC for use with iDRAC. To use the dedicated NIC with a Dell R630 or R730, select Dedicated from the NIC Selection list.
  7. Configure the iDRAC IPv4 address, netmask, gateway, and DNS addresses, as shown on the following page.
    Figure 4. iDRAC Settings > Network (Completed Entries)
  8. After completing the iDRAC configuration, press the Esc key to display the Exit menu.
  9. Select Save Changes and Exit and then press Enter to keep the changes.
  10. From a web browser, type DRAC-IPv4-address in the browser address bar and press Enter.
    The system displays the iDRAC web interface.
    Figure 5. iDRAC Web Interface Login Window
  11. Enter the username and password.

    Default Password

    By default, all PowerEdge servers ship with a unique iDRAC password, randomly generated at the factory, that is located on the pull-out Information Tag located on the front of the chassis, near the server asset tag. Customers who choose this option need to note this unique random password and use it to log in to iDRAC for the first time. For security purposes, Dell strongly recommends changing the default password.

    Legacy Password

    Customers who prefer to use the known legacy password calvin should choose this option. One reason to select this option would be to ensure conformance with any existing scripts. For security purposes, Dell strongly recommends changing the legacy password.

    Refer to https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000133536/dell-poweredge-what-is-the-default-username-and-password-for-idrac for the official Dell information.

    The pull-out information card is shown in the figure below:
    Check out the bottom label on the pull-out information card to find the default password, which in this example is 94AXYXFERKNW:

     

    Figure 6. Change the Default Password
  12. To change the default password, type the new password, when prompted, and type it again to confirm. In this example, the password stayed the same.
    Figure 7. Licensing Page
  13. To apply the iDRAC Enterprise Version license select the license option and then select import.
  14. Select the license file and click Apply.
  15. After applying the Enterprise Version license, log out for the license to take effect.
    Note: You need to log out from the iDRAC web interface, but there is no need to close the web browser.
  16. Log in to the iDRAC web interface using the new credentials (if changed).
    After applying the license, logging out and logging in enables the Enterprise Version license.
  17. Using the Virtual Console Preview option, click Launch.
    Figure 8. System Summary Page
  18. When prompted, click Keep to confirm the operation.
    Figure 9. System Summary Page
  19. Click the viewer.jnlp link, as shown in the following example.
    Figure 10. System Summary Page
  20. When prompted, open the viewer.jnlp file.
    Figure 11. System Summary Page
    Note: JAVA is required, and the correct version downloads automatically.
    Figure 12. System Summary: Continue Prompt
  21. When prompted, click Continue.
    Figure 13. System Summary: Run Prompt
  22. When prompted, click Run.
    Figure 14. Confirm Connection to Untrusted Network
  23. When prompted to continue with an untrusted certificate, click Run.
    Figure 15. System Summary: Confirmation Prompt
  24. When prompted, click OK.
    iDRAC launches the virtual console window.

Using iDRAC to Install the DMF Controller or DMF Service Node Image

Before beginning, set up iDRAC as described in the Setting Up and Configuring iDRAC section, and then complete the instructions in this section.

After installing the Controller software image using iDRAC, follow the instructions in Installing and Configuring the DMF Controller to complete the DMF Controller installation and initial configuration.

For DMF Release 6.3.2 onwards, the procedure for using iDRAC to install the DMF Controller or DMF Service node image is the same.

Complete the following steps using iDRAC to install the DMF Controller or Service Node image on a Dell R630/R730.

Procedure

  1. Direct your browser to the iDRAC web interface and log in to launch the iDRAC virtual console.
    Figure 16. iDRAC Virtual Console Window
  2. Select Virtual Media > Connect Virtual Media.
    Figure 17. Virtual Media > Connect Virtual Media Option
  3. Click Virtual Media again and select Map CD/DVD this time.
    Figure 18. Virtual Media > Map CD/DVD Option
  4. Click Browse to choose the DMF Controller ISO file.
    Figure 19. Virtual Media > Map CD/DVD Browse Option
  5. Select the DMF Controller ISO image and click Open.
    Figure 20. Open DMF Controller ISO Image
  6. Click Map Device.
    Figure 21. Map Device

    This action maps the DMF Controller ISO file to a Virtual CD/DVD on the Virtual Media menu.

    Figure 22. Virtual Media > DMF Controller ISO Mapped to a Virtual CD/DVD
  7. Click Next Boot.
    Figure 23. Next Boot Menu
  8. Select Virtual CD/DVD from the Next Boot menu.
    Figure 24. Next Boot > Virtual CD/DVD/ISO Option
  9. When prompted, click OK.
    Figure 25. Next Boot Confirmation Prompt
  10. Click Power and select Restart System (warm boot).
    Figure 26. Power Restart System (warm boot)
  11. When prompted, click OK.
    Figure 27. Power Control Confirmation Prompt
    When the server boots up, it selects the Virtual CD/DVD as the boot device.
    Figure 28. Booting from Virtual CD/DVD
    The server displays its status as it boots from Virtual CD/DVD.
    Figure 29. Server Boot Status
    Note: Depending on the network speed, it may take a while to download the ISO image to the server.
    Figure 30. Server Boot Status
  12. When prompted, type yes to install the DMF Controller image on the server.
    Figure 31. Installation Prompt
To complete the installation and initial configuration, refer to the instructions in this document.