What is iDRAC?

Short: For HP ProLiant we have HP ILO to manage remotely the server, for Dell PowerEdge we have iDRAC.


The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is designed to improve productivity for system administrators and improve the overall availability of Dell systems. 

The iDRAC alerts administrators about system issues. This allows remote system management and reduces the need for physical access to the system.


Requirement: 

     - Connect network cable from network switch to iDRAC connection on Dell server

     - Look up in TCP/IP address book for a free IP address for iDRAC



Change default password of root user in the iDRAC Settings with iDRAC Setting Utility (F2 during POST):


To configure the iDRAC User Configuration Settings:

  1. Turn on the managed system.
  2. Press <F2> during the Power-on Self-test (POST).

   Figure 1: POST menu for System Setup


  1. In the System Setup Main Menu, click iDRAC Settings. The iDRAC Settings page is displayed.

  Figure 2: System Setup Main Menu

  

   4. Click User Configuration.


5. Via the Change Password field you can change the default root password 

IMPORTANT: Store new password in LastPass before you go to the next step

6. Click on Back button to go to default iDRAC menu

*******************************************************************************************************************



Configure the iDRAC System Location with iDRAC Setting Utility (F2 during POST):

1. Click System Location. The System Location page is displayed.

2. Fill in Data Center Name (VMware Cluster name), Aisle Name

3. Click on Back button to go to default iDRAC menu



*******************************************************************************************************************

Configure the iDRAC Network Settings with iDRAC Setting Utility (F2 during POST):


1. Click Network. The Network page is displayed.

  Figure 3: System Setup > iDRAC Settings > Network

  

2. Configure the network settings:

  1. Under Enable NIC, select Enabled.
  2. From the NIC Selection drop-down menu, select one of the following ports based on the network requirement:
    1. Select Dedicated - This enables the remote access device to use the dedicated network interface available on the Remote Access Controller. This interface is not shared with the host operating system.
  3. Under Auto Negotiation, select On if iDRAC must automatically set the duplex mode and network spee

                    Figure 4: System Setup > iDRAC Settings > Network > Network Settings

  


3. Common Settings:


If a network infrastructure has a DNS server, register iDRAC on the DNS.

To register iDRAC:                  

  1. Enable Register DRAC on DNS.
  2. Enter the DNS DRAC Name.
  3. Select Auto Config Domain Name to automatically acquire the domain name from DHCP. Else, provide the DNS Domain Name

Figure 5: System Setup > iDRAC Settings > Network > Common Settings


4. Configure IPv4 settings

  1. Select the Enabled option under Enable IPv4.
  2. Select the Enabled option under Enable DHCP to automatically assign the IP address, gateway, and subnet mask to iDRAC. Else select Disabled and enter the values for:
    1. Static IP Address
    2. Static Gateway
    3. Static Subnet Mask


 Figure 6: System Setup > iDRAC Settings > Network > IPv4 Settings

 

Note: Refresh screen to enter the preferred and Alternate DNS Servers 


5. Disable IPv6 settings

  1. Select the Disabled option under Enable IPv6.

6. Click Back.


7. Click Finish. The Save Changes popup is displayed.

  Figure 7: Warning, save changes?

  


8. Click Yes to save the changes. The network information is saved, and the system reboots after you clicked on OK and Finish box.

 Figure 8: Success changes saved.


 

Figure 9: Click on Finish to reboot system.



Figure 10:  Last screen before you reboot system.