Users Guide

• Communicating with iDRAC through serial connection using DB9 cable
• Switching between RAC serial and serial console while using DB9 cable
• Communicating with iDRAC using IPMI SOL
• Communicating with iDRAC using IPMI over LAN
• Enabling or disabling remote RACADM
• Disabling local RACADM
• Enabling IPMI on managed system
• Configuring Linux for serial console during boot in RHEL 6
• Supported SSH cryptography schemes
Communicating with iDRAC through serial
connection using DB9 cable
You can use any of the following communication methods to perform systems management tasks through serial connection to rack and
tower servers:
• RAC Serial
• IPMI Serial — Direct Connect Basic mode and Direct Connect Terminal mode
NOTE: In case of blade servers, the serial connection is established through the chassis. For more information, see the
Chassis Management Controller User's Guide available at www.dell.com/cmcmanuals .
To establish the serial connection:
1. Configure the BIOS to enable serial connection.
2. Connect the Null Modem DB9 cable from the management station’s serial port to the managed system’s external serial connector.
NOTE:
Server power cycle is required from vConsole or GUI for any change in Baud-rate.
3. Make sure that the management station’s terminal emulation software is configured for serial connection using any of the following:
• Linux Minicom in an Xterm
• Hilgraeve’s HyperTerminal Private Edition (version 6.3)
Based on where the managed system is in its boot process, you can see either the POST screen or the operating system screen. This
is based on the configuration: SAC for Windows and Linux text mode screens for Linux.
4. Enable RAC serial or IPMI serial connections in iDRAC.
Configuring BIOS for serial connection
To configure BIOS for Serial Connection:
NOTE:
This is applicable only for iDRAC on rack and tower servers.
1. Turn on or restart the system.
2. Press F2.
3. Go to System BIOS Settings > Serial Communication.
4. Select External Serial Connector to Remote Access device.
5. Click Back, click Finish, and then click Yes.
6. Press Esc to exit System Setup.
Enabling RAC serial connection
After configuring serial connection in BIOS, enable RAC serial in iDRAC.
NOTE:
This is applicable only for iDRAC on rack and tower servers.
Enabling RAC serial connection using web interface
To enable RAC serial connection:
Setting up iDRAC communication
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