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PowerEdge: iDRAC Virtual Console Troubleshooting

Summary: Systems Management How to Video that covers how to Troubleshoot the iDRAC Virtual Console.

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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Instructions

This training video covers the basics of troubleshooting iDRAC Virtual Console issues.

How To Troubleshoot The iDRAC Virtual Console

Duration: 00:06:35 (hh:mm:ss)
When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the CC icon on this video player.

 

Note: Starting with release version 6.00.02.00, access to Virtual Console uses only eHTML5. eHTML5 Virtual Console traffic is routed through port 443, and the port configuration is no longer an option in the user interface.
 

Scenario One: Port 5900 or Cannot access Virtual Console


 Steps to Perform:
  • Open up the browser and go to https://iDRAC_ip:5900
  • It should present a white screen telling you there is a certificate on that port
    You have a SSL certificate for remote presence port. You should close this window now. Close

  • If you do not get this screen, port 5900 is being blocked, and it is a network or firewall issue.

  • We can test from a system in the same subnet to try to prove it further.

  • The DRAC can be cycled running the command: racadm racreset

 

Scenario Two - Plugins 

Plugin 1: HTML5

  • On launch does a pop-up for certificate validation.
  • Steps to Perform:
  • Timeout on the certificate pop-up is short - latency on the environment can impact.
  • If using Internet Explorer, iDRAC cannot be in the Compatibility View Settings.
  • Try a different browser or clear cache since it is all browser side.

Plugin 2: Java

Process: Leverages installed Java for a plug-in downloaded at Launch
 
Steps to perform:

  • Ensure that Java is installed.
  • Check the installed Java version for compatibility - iDRAC6 only supports Java 8 u121 and older.
  • Try HTML5 to confirm it is a Java Plugin issue.
  • Add iDRAC to the Exception Site List in the Control Panel > Java > Security.
  • Sometimes, Java is blocked by a Group Policy Object.

 

Java Control Panel Security Settings 

Plugin 3: ActiveX

Process: Installs a plug-in for Internet Explorer to use in that browser only.
 
Troubleshooting:

  • Ensure ActiveX is not blocked by GPO or Browser.
  • Delete the ActiveX plug-in from IE by clicking  Tools > Manage Add-ons. Should be under Toolbars and Extensions.

IE Manage Add-ons section 
 

  • Now relaunch ActiveX.

  • Since it is both a pop-up and a download, it is the most commonly blocked plug-in.

 

Scenario Three - iDRAC Configuration

In the iDRAC user interface, under Configuration > Virtual Console, ensure it is Enabled and configured as you expect.

virtual console settings in the iDRAC web GUI 
 

Scenario 4: Keyboard/Mouse redirection is failing

Troubleshooting Step 1 iDRAC Configuration

  • In the iDRAC user interface, under Configuration > Virtual Console, ensure Keyboard/Mouse Attach State is set to Auto-Attach.
  • Sometimes switch it off then back on again to regain functionality. 
  • Does keyboard/mouse redirection work during POST? If yes, then we are talking an operating system issue, most likely driver related.
  • Does a physical keyboard/mouse work? If no it is a hardware issue.
  • If a physical keyboard works, but Virtual Console keyboard/mouse redirection does not work in POST or operating system, run racadm racresetcfg to rebuild it from scratch.
 

Affected Products

iDRAC7, iDRAC8, iDRAC9

Products

PowerEdge C6420, PowerEdge C6520, PowerEdge C6525, PowerEdge C6615, PowerEdge C6620, PowerEdge R240, PowerEdge R250, PowerEdge R260, PowerEdge R340, PowerEdge R350, PowerEdge R360, PowerEdge R440, PowerEdge R450, PowerEdge R540, PowerEdge R550 , PowerEdge R640, PowerEdge R6415, PowerEdge R650, PowerEdge R650xs, PowerEdge R6515, PowerEdge R6525, PowerEdge R660, PowerEdge R660xs, PowerEdge R6615, PowerEdge R6625, PowerEdge R740, PowerEdge R740XD, PowerEdge R740XD2, PowerEdge R7415, PowerEdge R7425, PowerEdge R750, PowerEdge R750XA, PowerEdge R750xs, PowerEdge R7515, PowerEdge R7525, PowerEdge R760, PowerEdge R760XA, PowerEdge R760xd2, PowerEdge R760xs, PowerEdge R7615, PowerEdge R7625, PowerEdge R840, PowerEdge R860, PowerEdge R940, PowerEdge R940xa, PowerEdge R960, PowerEdge T140, PowerEdge T150, PowerEdge T160, PowerEdge T340, PowerEdge T350, PowerEdge T360, PowerEdge T440, PowerEdge T550, PowerEdge T560, PowerEdge T640, PowerFlex appliance R650, PowerFlex appliance R6525, PowerFlex appliance R660, PowerFlex appliance R6625, Powerflex appliance R750, PowerFlex appliance R760, PowerFlex appliance R7625, PowerFlex appliance R640, PowerFlex appliance R740XD, PowerFlex appliance R7525, PowerFlex appliance R840 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000185549
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 04 Dec 2024
Version:  8
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