Users Guide

NOTE: For information about installing a CMC, see the

VRTX Owner’s Manual

. For instructions about installing CMC

firmware on your standby CMC, see Updating Firmware.

CMC Failsafe Mode

The PowerEdge VRTX enclosure enables the fail-safe mode to protect the servers and I/O module from not functioning. The fail-safe

mode is enabled when a CMC is not in control of the chassis. During the CMC failover period, or during a single CMC management loss:

• You cannot turn on the newly installed servers.

• You cannot remotely access existing servers.

• Server performance reduces to limit power consumption until management of the CMC is restored.

The following are some of the conditions that can result in CMC management loss:

• CMC removal — Chassis management resumes after replacing CMC, or after failover to standby CMC.

• CMC network cable removal or network connection loss — Chassis management resumes after the chassis fails over to the standby

CMC. Network failover is only enabled in redundant CMC mode.

• CMC reset — Chassis management resumes after CMC reboots or chassis fails over to the standby CMC.

• CMC failover command issued — Chassis management resumes after the chassis fails over to the standby CMC.

• CMC firmware update — Chassis management resumes after CMC reboots or chassis fails over to the standby CMC. It is

recommended that you update the standby CMC first so that there is only one failover event.

• CMC error detection and correction — Chassis management resumes after CMC resets or chassis fails over to the standby CMC.

NOTE: You can configure the enclosure either with a single CMC or with redundant CMCs. In redundant CMC

configurations, if the primary CMC loses communication with the enclosure or the management network, the

standby CMC takes over the chassis management.

Active CMC Election Process

There is no difference between the two CMC slots; that is, slot does not indictate precedence. Instead, CMC that is installed or started

first, assumes the role of an active CMC. If AC power is applied with two CMCs installed, CMC installed in CMC chassis slot 1 normally

assumes the active role. The active CMC is indicated by a blue LED.

If two CMCs are inserted into a chassis that is already turned on, automatic active- or standby negotiation can take upto two minutes.

Normal chassis operation resumes when the negotiation is complete.

Obtaining Health Status of Redundant CMC

You can view the health status of the standby CMC in the web interface. For more information about accessing CMC health status in the

web interface, see Viewing Chassis Information and Monitoring Chassis and Component Health.

Configuring Front Panel

You can configure the following:

• Power button

• LCD

• DVD drive

Configuring Power Button

To configure the chassis power button:

1. In the left pane, click Chassis Overview > Front Panel > Setup.

2. On the Front Panel Configuration page, under the Power Button Configuration section, select the Disable Chassis Power

Button option, and then click Apply.

The chassis power button is disabled.

Installing and Setting Up CMC