Users Guide

Using USB port for server management
In Dell PowerEdge 12
th
generation servers, all USB ports are dedicated to the server. With the 13
th
generation of servers, one of the front
panel USB port is used by iDRAC for management purposes such as pre-provisioning and troubleshooting. The port has an icon to indicate
that it is a management port. All 13
th
generation servers with LCD panel support this feature. This port is not available in a few of the
200-500 model variations without the LCD panel. In such cases, you may prefer to use these ports for the server operating system.
NOTE: This feature is not supported on PowerEdge R930 servers.
When the USB port is used by iDRAC:
• The USB network interface enables use of existing out-of-band remote management tools from a portable device such as laptop by
using a USB type A/A cable connected to iDRAC. The iDRAC is assigned the IP address 169.254.0.3 and the management device is
assigned the IP 169.254.0.4.
• You can store a server conguration prole in the USB device and update the server conguration from the USB device.
NOTE: This feature is supported on:
• USB devices having FAT le system and has single partition.
• All Dell Windows 8 and Windows RT tablets, including the XPS 10 and The Venue Pro 8. For devices with USB-mini port, such as
the XPS 10 and the Venue Pro 8, use the On-The-Go (OTG) dongle and a Type-A/A cable.
Topics:
• Accessing iDRAC interface over direct USB connection
• Conguring iDRAC using server conguration prole on USB device
Related link
Conguring iDRAC using server conguration prole on USB device
Accessing iDRAC interface over direct USB connection
Accessing iDRAC interface over direct USB
connection
The iDRAC direct feature allows you to directly connect your laptop to the iDRAC USB port. This feature allows you to interact directly with
the iDRAC interfaces such as the web interface, RACADM, and WSMan for advanced server management and servicing.
Use a Type A/A cable to connect the laptop to the server.
When iDRAC behaves as a USB device and the management port mode is set to Automatic, iDRAC always uses the USB port. The port
does not switch automatically to the OS.
For a list of supported browsers and operating system, see the Release Notes available at Dell.com/idracmanuals.
NOTE
: If you are using Windows operating systems, you may need to install an RNDIS driver to use this feature.
To access the iDRAC interface over the USB port:
1 Turn o any wireless networks and disconnect from any other hard wired network.
2 Ensure that the USB port is enabled. For more information, see Conguring USB management port settings.
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290 Using USB port for server management