This chapter provides information about accessing and using the
remote access features of BMC/iDRAC and DRAC.
The Dell systems baseboard management controller (BMC)/Integrated
Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) monitors the system for critical
events by communicating with various sensors on the system board and
sends alerts and log events when certain parameters exceed their preset
thresholds. The BMC/iDRAC supports the industry-standard Intelligent
Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification, enabling you to
configure, monitor, and recover systems remotely.
-
NOTE: Baseboard management
controller (BMC) is supported on Dell PowerEdge 9G systems and the
Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is supported on Dell
PowerEdge 10G and 11G systems.
The DRAC is a systems management hardware and software solution
designed to provide remote management capabilities, crashed system
recovery, and power control functions for Dell systems.
By communicating with the system’s baseboard management controller
(BMC)/Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC), the DRAC can
be configured to send you e-mail alerts for warnings or errors related
to voltages, temperatures, and fan speeds. The DRAC also logs event
data and the most recent crash screen (available only on systems running
Microsoft Windows operating system) to help you diagnose the probable
cause of a system crash.
The Remote Access Controller provides remote access to an inoperable
system, allowing you to get the system up and running as quickly as
possible. The Remote Access Controller also provides alert notification
when a system is down and allows you to remotely restart a system.
Additionally, the Remote Access Controller logs the probable cause
of system crashes and saves the
most recent crash screen.
You can log in to the Remote Access Controller through the Server
Administrator home page or by directly accessing the controller's
IP address using a supported browser.
When using the Remote Access Controller, you can click
Help for more detailed information about the specific window you are
viewing. Remote Access Controller help is available for all windows
accessible to the user based on the user privilege level and the specific
hardware and software groups that Server Administrator discovers on
the managed system.
-
NOTE: For more information
about the BMC, see the
Dell OpenManage Baseboard Management Controller
Utilities User's Guide
at
dell.com/support/manuals.
-
NOTE: For more information
on using DRAC 5, see the
Dell Remote Access Controller 5 User’s
Guide
at
dell.com/support/manuals.
-
NOTE: For detailed
information on configuring and using the iDRAC, see the
Integrated
Dell Remote Access Controller User’s Guide
at
dell.com/support/manuals.
The following table lists the graphical user interface (GUI) field
names and the applicable system, when Server Administrator is installed
on the system.
Table 1. GUI Field Names
And The Applicable System
GUI Field Name
|
Applicable System
|
Modular Enclosure
|
Modular system |
Server Modules
|
Modular system |
Main System
|
Modular system |
System
|
Non-modular system |
Main System Chassis
|
Non-modular system |
For more information on the systems support for remote access devices,
see the
Dell Systems Software Support Matrix available at
dell.com/support/manuals.
Server Administrator allows remote, in-band access to event logs,
power control, and sensor status information and provides the ability
to configure the BMC/iDRAC. To manage BMC/iDRAC and DRAC through the
Server Administrator graphical user interface (GUI), click the
Remote Access object, which is a subcomponent of the
Main System Chassis/Main System group.
You can perform the following tasks:
You can view BMC/iDRAC or DRAC information based on which hardware
is providing the remote access capabilities for the system.
The reporting and configuration of BMC/iDRAC and DRAC can also
be managed using the
omreport/omconfig chassis remoteaccess command-line interface (CLI) command.
In addition, the Server Administrator Instrumentation Service allows
you to manage the Platform Event Filters (PEF) parameters and alert
destinations.
-
NOTE: You can view
BMC data on Dell PowerEdge 9G systems only.