iDrac setup

[PBComputer]

I have a server we look after. It's a 70 mile round trip to go on site. On Monday things went wrong and we had to do an emergency call out.

The server does not have remote management so it's getting added. (Owners don't know yet)

I've ordered and got a idrac card. Going to fit it soon. But how can I access the server when it's not on remotely?

The site has ADSL no fibre yet.
Server runs DHCP and DNS

So unsure how ip address would be handed out for it.

The router it a draytek

 

[Markverhyden]

I have a server we look after. It's a 70 mile round trip to go on site. On Monday things went wrong and we had to do an emergency call out.

The server does not have remote management so it's getting added. (Owners don't know yet)

I've ordered and got a idrac card. Going to fit it soon. But how can I access the server when it's not on remotely?

The site has ADSL no fibre yet.
Server runs DHCP and DNS

So unsure how ip address would be handed out for it.

The router it a draytek

What model of Dell? And what firmware? Not sure if it's with all Dell servers but one of my R710's, which are a little long in the tooth, came with iDRAC Express. Basically one of the regular ethernet ports function as the iDRAC. The catch is I don't think you get BIOS level access during power up like you do with a iDRAC Enterprise. So I'm thinking that the recent ones may all come with iDRAC Express. But you really want Enterprise.

At any rate to initially setup iDRAC you need to have a KVM hooked up during boot. When you power up you'll see a prompt for CTRL+E. You want to assign it a static LAN ip. Once the Enterprise is setup you can just remote into any workstation, launch browser, type in the address. If it's Enterprise you will have BIOS level access. You can open ports in the firewall to directly access from the outside but it's a lot. And doing a TV, Splashtop, etc what is much easier and less risky.

http://www.dell.com/support/manuals...daf55c-3171-49fc-b423-cc870f508689&lang=en-us

 

[fencepost]

Mark pegged it. You're going to want iDRAC Enterprise, which generally gets you remote console. If it's an old server that may be troublesome, IIRC they use something Java based for the remote access and I believe I had issues with what's on a card not really matching up well with current Java security practices.

As he said, you're going to need to have it on a static IP address configured during boot. After that you'll be able to get to both the console and to the iDRAC browser-based console which may let you update settings, view status and take some actions without ever hitting the console.

As far as connecting to it, if you have a VPN connection to the site (temporary or permanent) you can connect over that. As an alternative, it might also be worth putting in an always-on box with remote access software in their offices - that could also contain storage and be used as a local backup destination, and of course you'd have a monthly charge for the "local" portion of the "local and offsite automated backup." That "IT Support Utility System" could have several remote access options, probably also using external DNS servers (because it sucks when your local utility machine can't be reached remotely because it's trying to use a down server for DNS resolution).

 

[E Bell]

At any rate to initially setup iDRAC you need to have a KVM hooked up during boot.

I agree with everything else Mark mentions; however, you can setup iDRAC network settings without a KVM if it has a LCD panel on the front. Learned this when I received one onsite with no keyboard/mouse.

• How to configure Dynamic Host Configuration Internet Protocol (DHCP)
  • From the LCD Home screen navigate to setup screen and then DHCP tab.
  • Home > Setup ->iDRAC -> DHCP | Static IP -> Yes | No
    
• Configuring a static IP address
  • Navigate from home screen to setup screen and then to the Static IP tab.
    • Home > Setup ->iDRAC -> DHCP | Static IP -> IP:
  • After IP v4 configuration from the same screen we can configure sub network mask and gate as well.
    • Home > Setup > IDRAC > Static IP - >Sub:
    • Home > Setup > IDRAC > Static IP - >Gtw:
  • Other network settings such as DNS servers and DHCP settings are also available through the LCD Front Panel:
    • Setting domain name server 1 and domain name server 2
      • Home > Setup > IDRAC > Static IP -> DNS : Yes | No
        • Domain Name server 1
          • Home > Setup > IDRAC > Static IP - >D1 :
        • Domain Name server 2
          • Home > Setup > IDRAC > Static IP - >D2 :

This doesn't answer the question of how you can access the server when it is not on remotely. You could use another system on the network as a jump box. If the server is truly hardened you have your work cut out. If not and RDP just isn't configured you should be able to use one of those systems to configure it appropriately.

 

[Markverhyden]

Interesting @E Bell was not aware you could do that. Must be a a pain though. As far as accessing a local box? This is what you need. Runs on Linux, OS X and Winderz. One of the best investments I've made. And get the one that allows file transfer. A little more expensive but well worth it.

Not checked it but I'm pretty sure you can power up a Dell server chassis with iDRAC Enterprise via the we GUI. I'll have to check that when I get home later.

 

[PBComputer]

The server is a Dell T130. The idrac card v6 is a enterprise one. I have also bought a mini pc. which I will put in the cabinet and see if I can make it work.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Interesting @E Bell was not aware you could do that. Must be a a pain though. As far as accessing a local box? This is what you need. Runs on Linux, OS X and Winderz. One of the best investments I've made. And get the one that allows file transfer. A little more expensive but well worth it.

Not checked it but I'm pretty sure you can power up a Dell server chassis with iDRAC Enterprise via the we GUI. I'll have to check that when I get home later.

Might want to edit your link. It has some garbage characters at the front.

 

[fencepost]

As far as accessing a local box? This is what you need. Runs on Linux, OS X and Winderz. One of the best investments I've made. And get the one that allows file transfer. A little more expensive but well worth it.

I'll note that newegg has the NOTECONS02 (the one with file transfer) for $100 less than going direct with StarTech.

 

[E Bell]

@Markverhyden yes, you can cold start the server from the enterprise version of iDRAC

 

[fencepost]

If it's just power, you can do power operations from iDRAC Express as well. Looking at one, the options on iDRAC 8 Express are Power Off, NMI, Graceful Shutdown, Reset (warm boot), Power Cycle (cold boot). Presumably if it's down you just have "Power On" but I'm not going to test it.

Express shows you plenty of stats, power consumption (including hourly, daily, weekly graphs), alerts and notifications, etc. You can also do most (all?) PERC operations through iDRAC, even the Express version.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

We assign 'em statics...and we just VPN to the client if we need to get to it while power is off, unless one of their workstations is on and we can use our RMM to get into those. Generally a client big enough to have a server..will have enough other computers that chances are at least one will be up and running when you need to punch into the server at sea level like that. Else..VPN in.

If their edge device isn't a biz grade UTM that hosts a VPN server, (and obviously you can't use the Windows servers VPN service cuz it's down/off)...you can port forward on the firewall to the hardware management, BUT...it's high risk of being hacked..so advise against that unless it's a decent enough biz grade router that you can slap ACLs on the port forwarding to only allow incoming from the IP of your office.

 

[Markverhyden]

Might want to edit your link. It has some garbage characters at the front.

Thanks. Fixed.

I'll note that newegg has the NOTECONS02 (the one with file transfer) for $100 less than going direct with StarTech.

Yeah, I try to do the OEM site and then people can shop from there. I think I got mine at NE and was just over $300 a couple of years ago.

 

[sctechsystems]

Yes I have powered on a 710 remotely before, in the dark.

The IDrac stays live even if the power is off to the server (has to be powered up on mains), log on to Idrac and just select power on and press next.

 

[marley1]

Order idrac license on eBay
Huge savings
Give Drac static IP port forward only allowing your office ip access
Reset default password

Add VPN is want more security