Users Guide

Remote Access Controller 79
Remote Access Controller
Overview
The Server Administrator Remote Access Controller provides a complete remote system
management solution for SNMP- and CIM-instrumented systems equipped with a Dell™ Remote
Access Card (DRAC) III, a DRAC III/XT, an Embedded Remote Access (ERA) controller, or an ERA
Option (ERA/O) card. These hardware and software solutions are collectively known as Dell Remote
Access Controllers (DRACs). DRAC 4 and DRAC 5 also allow a basic management task to be
performed from Dell OpenManage Server Administrator: you can connect to DRAC 4 or DRAC 5
from the Server Administrator graphical user interface depending on the DRAC card installed.
The DRAC 4 and DRAC 5 are systems management hardware and software solution designed to
provide remote management capabilities, crashed system recovery, and power control functions for
Dell PowerEdge™ systems.
By communicating with the system’s baseboard management controller (BMC), the DRAC 4 and
DRAC 5 can be configured to send you e-mail alerts for warnings or errors related to voltages,
temperatures, and fan speeds. The DRAC 4 and DRAC 5 also log event data and the most recent
crash screen (available only on systems running Microsoft
®
Windows
®
operating system) to help
you diagnose the probable cause of a system crash.
Depending on your system, the DRAC 4 hardware is either a system card (DRAC 4/I) or a short
PCI card (DRAC 4/P). The DRAC 4/I and DRAC 4/P are identical except for the hardware differences.
The DRAC 5 hardware is an embedded system card.
The DRAC 4 and DRAC 5 have their own microprocessor and memory, and are powered by the
system in which they are installed. The DRAC 4 and DRAC 5 may be preinstalled on your system, or
available separately in a kit.
NOTE: The information contained in this section pertains to the previous generation of DRACs. See the
Dell Remote Access Controller 4 User’s Guide for more information on using DRAC 4 or Dell Remote Access
Controller 5 User’s Guide for more information on using DRAC 5.
The Remote Access Controller provides remote access to an inoperable system, allowing you to get
the system up and running as quickly as possible. The Remote Access Controller also provides alert
notification when a system is down and allows you to remotely restart a system. Additionally, the
Remote Access Controller logs the probable cause of system crashes and saves the most recent
crash screen.
You can log in to the Remote Access Controller through the Server Administrator home page or by
directly accessing the controller's IP address using a supported browser.