Support for Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA)

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Symptoms

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Summary: Learn about Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA), a powerful systems management tool for Dell servers. Discover its features and how to use it efficiently.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

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Symptoms

Note: Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) has reached its end of feature development phase. With this final release OMSA has officially transitioned into the planned End of Software Maintenance phase. Support for OMSA in this phase is available through September 30, 2027 addressing security vulnerabilities or critical field escalations impacting business.

Dell Technologies recommends managing your PowerEdge servers by using a combination of the following Systems Management tools:

For more information, see the OpenManage Server Administrator is going End of Life article.

Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) provides a comprehensive, one-to-one systems management solution in the following two ways: From an integrated, web browser-based User Interface (UI) and from a Command-Line Interface (CLI) through the operating system.

Figure 1: OpenManage Server Administrator

Dell OpenManage Server Administrator is designed so that system administrators can manage server systems both locally and remotely on a network. It enables system administrators to focus on managing the entire network by providing comprehensive one-to-one systems management. Dell OpenManage Server Administrator benefits system administrators by providing flexibility in how the system administrator performs systems management with their Dell servers. In the context of Server Administrator, a system means a stand-alone system, a system with attached network storage units in a separate chassis, or a modular system consisting of one or more server modules in a modular enclosure. Server Administrator provides information about:

Systems that are operating properly and systems that have problems
Systems that require remote recovery operations

OpenManage Enterprise is a systems management and monitoring application that provides a comprehensive view of the Dell servers, chassis, storage, and network switches on the enterprise network. For more information about OpenManage Enterprise, reference Support for Dell OpenManage Enterprise. The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) provides similar information and functionality in an out-of-band method. It also provides access, regardless of the operating system state. For more information about the iDRAC, reference Support for Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 9 (iDRAC9).

Cause

Not applicable

Resolution

For information about how to Download and Install, Documentation, White Papers, and information about the Community, click the appropriate subject.

Download and Install

Dell OpenManage Server Administrator is supported on most versions of Microsoft Windows, Linux, and ESXi operating systems. Also, OpenManage Server Administrator can be installed in different deployment scenarios to minimize the footprint on the managed system and remotely managed. Review the OpenManage Installation Guide - Linux (includes ESXi) and OpenManage Installation Guide - Microsoft Windows in Documentation for more information.

To download the latest version of Dell OpenManage Server Administrator for your system:

Go to Dell.com/support and select the server model or enter the service tag.
Select Drivers & Downloads
Select the Operating System for your system
Keyword Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node
Download the Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node

NOTE: You may have to click Show All to see this displayed in the list of available downloads.

How to Install OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) on Windows

This article outlines the steps that are required to install Dell OpenManage Server Administrator on a Windows operating system to manage your Dell PowerEdge Server.

Installing Dell OpenManage Server Administrator on Windows

You can install Server Administrator on multiple systems through an unattended installation across a network. The Dell OpenManage installer provides installation scripts and RPM packages to install and uninstall Dell OMSA and other managed system software components on your managed system.

Note:

If you have a modular system, you must install Server Administrator on each server module that is installed in the chassis.
Uninstall any old versions of OpenManage Server Administrator first. Restart not required.

Performing the Installation of Dell OpenManage Server Administrator

Unpack the downloaded Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node file default unpack location C:\OpenManage.
Once unpacked, browse to C:\OpenManage\Windows and run the setup.exe to begin the installation on the Server or Host that you want to manage. The Dell OpenManage Install window appears and prompts you to choose what utility to install. Next, the Dell OpenManage Server Administrator prerequisite status screen displays and runs the prerequisite checks for the managed system.

Figure 2: OpenManage prerequisite screen

Resolve all error and warning situations before continuing the installation. When ready to install the software, click Server Administrator.

Figure 3: Server Administrator button

The Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Wizard appears, click Next.

Figure 4: Next button

Accept the license agreement, and then click Next.

Figure 5: OpenManage Server Administrator license agreement

Select the type of installation required:
- Typical: All program features are installed.
- Custom: Choose which features you want to be installed and choose the installation directory.
To execute a custom installation, select Custom and then click Next to continue.

Figure 6: OpenManage Setup Type options

Select the features to install, and check the destination folder. When ready to continue, click Next.

Figure 7: OpenManage Server Administrator features

To begin the installation, click Install.

Figure 8: Install button.

The installation process begins.

Figure 9: OpenManage Server Administrator installs

Once the installation is complete, click Finish to exit the installer.

Figure 10: Finish button.

How to Log in to Dell OpenManage Server Administrator

You can access the Dell OpenManage web interface using the icon on the desktop. It can also be accessed from any computer on the same network as the host by using a web browser.

Enter the IP address of the host operating system followed by a colon and then the OpenManage Server Administrator port number 1311.
Launch the OpenManage web interface (sample - https://192.168.1.100:1311 or https://localhost:1311) (replace 192.168.1.100 with your host server’s IP address).
Skip any certificate errors to proceed, or add the IP to your trusted zone.
Log in using your local administrator username and password for the host.

Figure 11: OpenManage Server Administrator logged in.

How to Install OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) on Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Installing Dell OpenManage Server Administrator on Linux

The Dell knowledge base has a complete library of manuals of all versions of Dell OpenManage Server Administrator. These manuals contain instructions on the installation process for Dell OpenManage Server Administrator on most enterprise operating systems, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Follow the steps below to find the instructions for your operating system:

Go to the OpenManage Server Administrator product listing page and select your version.
Go to the Documentation tab.
Scroll down to the Manuals section and locate Dell OpenManage Installation Guide-Linux Version followed by the latest version available.
Select View Page. This brings you to the OpenManage Server Administrator installation guide for the Linux family of operating system including Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
On the left side of this page is the table of contents. Scroll down to Installing Managed System Software On Supported Linux and VMware ESXi operating systems. All the links and documentation necessary for installing OpenManage Server Administrator on Red Hat Enterprise Linux can be found here.

Documentation

To access the documentation and details for individual versions, select your OpenManage Server Administrator version. Then click the Documentation tab. The OpenManage Server Administrator User's Guide and additional documents are displayed. Other documents include Installation Guides, the Command-Line Interface (CLI) Guide, Release Notes, and more.

White Papers

Community

Get more assistance and discuss more at the Systems Management General community forums.

Support for Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA)