PowerEdge: How to configure the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 9 (iDRAC9) and Lifecycle Controller network settings

Table of Content

1. Configure the iDRAC Network Settings with iDRAC Setting Utility (F2 during POST)
2. Setting iDRAC9 IP using the iDRAC Settings Utility (Video)
3. Configure iDRAC Network Settings using the server LCD panel
4. Setting iDRAC9 IP using the server LCD panel (Video)
5. Configure both iDRAC and Lifecycle Controller Network Settings in Lifecycle Controller
6. iDRAC9 initial Setup via Lifecycle Controller (Video)

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The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 9 (iDRAC9) with Lifecycle Controller is designed to make system administrators more productive and improve the overall availability of Dell systems. iDRAC alerts administrators to system issues, help them perform remote system management and reduces the need for physical access to the system. You must configure the initial network settings based on your network infrastructure to enable the communication to and from iDRAC.

You can set up the IP address using one of the following interfaces:

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Configure the iDRAC Network Settings with iDRAC Setting Utility (F2 during POST)

To configure the iDRAC Network Settings:

1. Turn on the managed system.
2. Press <F2> during the Power-on Self-test (POST).

Figure 1: POST menu for System Setup
 

3. In the System Setup Main Menu, click iDRAC Settings. The iDRAC Settings page is displayed.

Figure 2: System Setup Main Menu
 

4. Click Network. The Network page is displayed.

Figure 3: System Setup > iDRAC Settings > Network
 

5. Configure the network settings
   1. Under Enable NIC, select Enabled.
   2. From the NIC Selection drop-down menu, select one of the following ports based on the network requirement:
      1. Dedicated - Enables the remote access device to use the dedicated network interface available on the Remote Access Controller. This interface is not shared with the host operating system. Note, in blade servers, the Dedicated option is displayed as Chassis (Dedicated).
      2. LOM1
      3. LOM2
      4. LOM3 - May not be available depending on server model and network card selection.
      5. LOM4 - May not be available depending on server model and network card selection.
   3. From the Failover Network drop-down menu, select one of the remaining LOMs. If a network fails, the traffic is routed through the failover network. Note, this option is disabled if NIC Selection is set to Dedicated.
   4. Under Auto Negotiation, select On if iDRAC must automatically set the duplex mode and network speed. Note, this option is available on for dedicated mode.
   5. Under Network Speed, select either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps. Note, 1000 Mbps is available only if the Auto Negotiation option is enabled.
   6. Under Duplex Mode, select Half Duplex or Full Duplex option. Note, this option is disabled if Auto Negotiation is set to Enabled.

Figure 4: System Setup > iDRAC Settings > Network > Network Settings
 

6. Common Settings

   If a network infrastructure has a DNS server, register iDRAC on the DNS. These are the initial setting requirements for advanced features such as Directory services—Active Directory or LDAP, Single Sign On, and smart card.

   To register iDRAC:

   1. Enable Register DRAC on DNS.
   2. Enter the DNS DRAC Name.
   3. Select Auto Config Domain Name to automatically acquire the domain name from DHCP. Else, provide the DNS Domain Name.
7. Configure IPv4 settings
   1. Select Enabled option under Enable IPv4.
   2. Select Enabled option under Enable DHCP to automatically assign the IP address, gateway, and subnet mask to iDRAC. Else select Disabled and enter the values for:
      1. Static IP Address
      2. Static Gateway
      3. Static Subnet Mask

Figure 5: System Setup > iDRAC Settings > Network > IPv4 Settings
 

8. Configure IPv6 settings
   1. Select Enabled option under Enable IPv6.
   2. For the DHCPv6 server to automatically assign the IP address, gateway, and subnet mask to iDRAC, select Enabled option under Enable Auto-configuration.
   3. In the Static IP Address 1 box, enter the static IPv6 address.
   4. In the Static Prefix Length box, enter a value between 0 and 128.
   5. In the Static Gateway box, enter the gateway address.
   6. If you are using DHCP, enable DHCPv6 to obtain DNC Server address to obtain Primary and Secondary DNS server addresses from the DHCPv6 server. You can configure the following if needed:
      1. In the Static Preferred DNS Server box, enter the static DNS server IPv6 address.
      2. In the Static Alternate DNS Server box, enter the static alternate DNS Server address.
9. Click Back.
10. Click Finish. The Save Changes popup is displayed.

Figure 6: Warning, save changes?
 

11. Click Yes to save the changes. The network information is saved, and the system reboots.

Figure 7: Success changes saved.

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Setting iDRAC9 IP using the iDRAC Settings Utility:

 

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Dell Lifecycle Controller provides advanced embedded systems management to perform systems management tasks such as deploy, configure, update, maintain, and diagnose using a graphical user interface (GUI). It is delivered as part of the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC).

To configure the Lifecycle Controller and iDRAC Network Settings:

1. Press <F10> during Power-on Self-test (POST).

Figure 8: Entering Lifecycle Controller using F10
 

2. The Lifecycle Controller Initial Setup Wizard is displayed only for the first time. Use the Initial Setup Wizard to select the language and keyboard, configure network settings, iDRAC network settings, credential configuration, and view the summary of the settings. To make configuration changes later, select Settings from the Lifecycle Controller home page.
3. Configure the Language and Keyboard Selection

   If needed, on the left pane, click Settings. On the Settings pane, click Language and Keyboard.

   1. From the Language drop-down menu, select the language.
   2. From the Keyboard Type drop-down menu, select the keyboard type.
   3. Click Next to save the new settings.

Figure 9: Lifecycle Controller > Settings > Language and Keyboard Selection
 

4. View Product Overview
   1. See the overview of Lifecycle Controller and iDRAC.
   2. Click Next to continue.

Figure 10: Lifecycle Controller > Product Overview
 

5. Configure Lifecycle Controller Network Settings

   If needed, on the left pane, click Settings. On the Settings pane, click Network Settings.

   1. From the NIC Card drop-down menu, select the NIC port to configure.
   2. From the IPV4 Network Settings→ IP Address Source drop-down menu, select one of the following options:
      1. DHCP — indicates that the NIC must be configured by using an IP address from a DHCP server. DHCP is the default option, and the DHCP IP address is displayed on the Network Settings page.
      2. Static IP — indicates that the NIC must be configured by using a static IP. Type the IP Address Properties — IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Address. If you do not have this information, contact your network administrator.
      3. No Configuration — indicates that the NIC must not be configured.
   3. From the IPV6 Network Settings→ IP Address Source drop-down menu, select one of the following options:
      1. DHCPv6 — indicates that the NIC must be configured by using an IP address from a DHCPv6 server. If DHCPv6 is selected, a DHCPv6 IP address is displayed on the Network Settings page. Note, while configuring a DHCP server with IPv6, the configuration fails if you disable forwarding or advertising options.
      2. Static IP — indicates that the NIC must be configured by using a static IP. Type the IP Address Properties — IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Address. If you do not have this information, contact your network administrator.
   4. Click Enabled and type the VLAN ID and Priority under Lifecycle Controller VLAN Settings to configure the VLAN settings of a NIC.
   5. Click Next. Note, if Lifecycle Controller settings are not correctly configured, an error message is displayed.

Figure 11: Lifecycle Controller > Settings > Lifecycle Controller Network Settings
 

6. Configure iDRAC Network and Credentials
   1. From the IP Address Source menu, select one of the following options:
      1. Static — indicates that the network must be configured by using a static IP. Type the IP Address Properties — IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DNS Address Source, and DNS Address. If you do not have this information, contact your network administrator.
      2. DHCP — indicates that the NIC must be configured by using an IP address from a DHCP server. DHCP is the default option, and the DHCP IP address is displayed on the Network Settings page.
   2. Enter the following credentials:
      1. Account Username — The username to access the iDRAC network.
      2. Password — The password to access the iDRAC network.
      3. Confirm Password — The password to access the iDRAC network.
   3. Click Next.

Figure 12: Lifecycle Controller > Settings > iDRAC Network and Credential Configuration
 

7. Viewing Summary of network settings
   1. Verify the summary of the Lifecycle Controller and iDRAC Network configuration.
   2. Click Finish to save the settings.

Figure 13: Verify Summary.

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iDRAC9 initial Setup via Lifecycle Controller:

  After configuring the iDRAC network settings, access to the iDRAC web interface is now available. Information on the default password to log in to iDRAC is available in What is the default password for iDRAC.

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Additional information is available for initial configuration and deployment of a Dell EMC PowerEdge server start-up guide.