Error messages in the PowerEdge server system event log and how to view the error messages

This article provides information on how to read the system health from the Server Event Log (SEL)/Hardware Log.

There are several ways to verify this log, which contains chronologically sorted error messages. Here we will show you how to read the information and how to retrieve the log if possible.
 

Overview of the server event log review options:

1. At startup (server of 11. Generation and older)

2. At startup (server of 12. Generation and newer)

3. If OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) is installed on the system

4. If the Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC) is configured

1. At startup (server of 11. Generation and older)

The system event logs are stored in mbc or iDRAC on your server. Therefore, they can be accessed at POST through the BMC/iDRAC Configuration Utility.

1. Restart the server.

• During startup, press CTRL+E to access the Configuration Utility (POST). (Figure.1 (English Only)
  
  Figure 1: Boot Screen Example
   

• From the main menu, navigate to the System Event Log Menu and press Enter.

• There are two options available for the System Event Logs. Select View SystemEvent Log and press Enter (Figure 2 (English Only)).
  
  Figure 2:iDRAC/BMC settings in configuration utility

2. At startup (server of 12. Generation and newer)

The system event logs are stored in mbc or iDRAC on your server. Therefore, they can be accessed at POST through system settings.
 

• Using the arrow keys, you can now scroll through the individual entries in the Server Event Log shown on the screen (Figure 3 (English Only))
  
  Figure 3: Entry in the System Event Log in iDRAC

  1. Restart the server.

• Press F2 to enter system settings.

• From the main menu, select the iDRAC settings.

• On the next page, select System Event Log (Figure 4(English Only)).
  
  Figure 4: System Setup in iDRAC Settings

• Select Display System Event Log (Figure 5 (English Only) to review the logs.
  
  Figure 5: Event Log Display Options

3. If Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) is installed on the system

Dell Open Manage Server Administrator (OMSA) is able to communicate with BMC and iDRAC to retrieve information and view it in an easy-to-use interface.

To access the System Event Logs in OMSA:
 

• Using the arrow keys, you can now scroll through the individual entries in the Server Event Log (Figure 6(English Only)).
  
  Figure 6: System Event Log entry in setup

  1. Open OMSA.

• On the left, click System.

• Click the Logs tab in the middle of the page. Now the Server Event Log is displayed directly (Figure 7 (English Only).
  
  Figure 7: System Event Log in OMSA

• You can export the logs using the Save As button in the upper right.
   

• On the Logs tab, click Alert, and export the alert log as needed through the Save As button.
   

4. If iDRAC (Dell Remote Access Controller) is configured

If iDRAC is configured with an IP address, you can enter the iDRAC Internet interface across all machines in the network.

Because the System Event Logs are stored there, you can use the interface to verify the logs.
 

1. Open the iDRAC Internet interface using the iDRAC IP address.

• On the left, click System.

• Click the Logs tab. Now the Server Event Log is displayed directly (Figure 8 (English Only).
  
  Figure 8: System event log in iDRAC web interface

• You can export the logs using the Save As button at the bottom of the list.