User's Manual

58 Configuring CMC to Use Command Line Consoles

To connect to a managed server serial console, use the command connect

server-n, where -n is the slot number of the server; you can also use the racadm

connect server-n command. When you connect to a server using the -b option,

binary communication is assumed and the escape character is disabled. If the

iDRAC is not available, you will see a No route to host error message.

The connect server-n command enables the user to access the server's serial

port. After this connection is established, the user will be able to see the

server's console redirection through CMC's serial port that includes both the

BIOS serial console and the operating system serial console.

NOTE: To see the BIOS boot screens, serial redirection has to be enabled in the

servers’ BIOS Setup. Also, you must set the terminal emulator window to 80x25.

Otherwise, the screen will be garbled.

NOTE: Not all keys will work in the BIOS setup screens, so you should provide

appropriate escape sequences for CTRL+ALT+DEL, and other escape sequences.

The initial redirection screen displays the necessary escape sequences.

Configuring the Managed Server BIOS for Serial Console Redirection

It is necessary to connect to the managed server using the iKVM

(see “Managing Servers With iKVM”), or establish a VKVM session from

the iDRAC web GUI (see the iDRAC User’s Guide on

support.dell.com/manuals), and perform the following steps:

Serial communication in the BIOS is OFF by default. To redirect host

text console data to Serial over LAN, you must enable console redirection

through COM1. To change the BIOS setting:

Boot the managed server.

Press <F2> to enter the BIOS setup utility during POST.

Scroll down to Serial Communication and press <Enter>. In the pop-up

dialog box, the serial communication list displays these options:

• off

• on without console redirection

• on with console redirection via COM1

Use the arrow keys to navigate between these options.

Ensure that

On with console redirection via COM1

is enabled.