How to Setup and Manage Your iDRAC or CMC for Dell PowerEdge Servers and Blades

This article explains how to set up and configure a Dell PowerEdge server iDRAC 9. How to set up and manage the iDRAC is also provided for previous generation servers. This includes iDRAC 6, 7, and 8.

Dell PowerEdge

The complete list of new features can be found on this page. Complete the following steps to configure your new PowerEdge Server and fully benefit the features.

Table of Contents:

1. Setting Up the System
2. Configure the iDRAC
3. Log in to the iDRAC
4. Configure and Launch the LifeCycle Controller (LCC)
5. Installation of an Operating System
6. Update Strategies
7. Embedded Hardware Diagnostic
8. Embedded SupportAssist
9. More Resources
10. Previous Generation Servers

1. Setting Up the System

1. Unpack the system

2. Install the system into the rack. How to physically install a server in a rack or tower mode is explained in Server Rack Rails - Information and Resources

3. Connect the peripherals to the system

4. Connect the power, and turn on the system. It can be done by pressing the power button or by using the iDRAC

2. Configure the iDRAC

The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is designed to make system administrators more productive and improve the overall availability of Dell systems. iDRAC alerts administrators to system issues, help them perform remote system management and reduces the need for physical access to the system.

1. Options to set up the iDRAC IP address

You must configure the initial network settings based on your network infrastructure to enable the communication to and from iDRAC. You can set up the IP address using one of the following interfaces:

• iDRAC Settings utility - Recommended
• Lifecycle Controller (see Lifecycle Controller User’s Guide)
• Dell Deployment Toolkit (see Dell Deployment Toolkit User’s Guide)
• Chassis or Server LCD panel (see the system’s Hardware Owner’s Manual)
• For blades, using the CMC Web interface (see Dell Chassis Management Controller Firmware User’s Guide)

2. Setting up the iDRAC IP using iDRAC Setting Utility (F2 during startup)

You can set up the IP address or use the default iDRAC IP address 192.168.0.120 to configure initial network settings, including setting up DHCP or the static IP for iDRAC.
In the case of blade servers, the iDRAC network interface is disabled by default.

Example of setting up iDRAC IP using iDRAC settings utility (F2 during startup):

1. Turn on the managed system.
2. Press <F2> during Power-on Self-test (POST).
3. In the System Setup Main Menu page, click iDRAC Settings. The iDRAC Settings page is displayed.
4. Click Network. The Network page is displayed.
5. Specify the network settings
6. Click Back, click Finish, and then click Yes. The network information is saved, and the system reboots

iDRAC configuration is now completed. The iDRAC Web User Interface can now be reached with any supported browser (For example, Firefox, Chrome, or Safari).
If there is any access issue:

• Try to ping the iDRAC IP to check that the network configuration has been replied.
• Check which LOM (network card) has been selected in the iDRAC network settings. The LOM can be shared with the server network cards or use the dedicated iDRAC NICs.

3. Log in to the iDRAC

To log in into the iDRAC Web User Interface, the first step is to open a browser and enter the address IP. There are others ways to connect to the iDRAC using command-line protocols (SSH, RACADM).

The login screen is displayed. If you have opted for secure default access to iDRAC, the iDRAC secure default password is available on the back of the system Information tag. If you have not opted for secure default access to iDRAC, then the default username and password are root and calvin.

The Secure Password is on a sticker on the underside of the system tag with the Service Tag information. If the default password on the sticker is blank, it means that the default password is calvin. The username remains as root.

Figure 1: Sticker with secure default password

For more information about logging in to the iDRAC and iDRAC licenses, see the latest Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User's Guide at Dell.com/idracmanuals.

4. Configure and Launch the LifeCycle Controller (LCC)

Dell Lifecycle Controller is an advanced embedded systems management technology that enables remote server management using integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC). Using Lifecycle Controller, you can update the firmware using a local or Dell-based firmware repository. The OS Deployment wizard available in Lifecycle Controller enables you to deploy an operating system.

To access the LCC, press F10 during startup. The LifeCycle Controller shares an IP address with one of the server network cards. The IP address has to be configured at least once to use the update and the operating system installation feature. For more information, reference: Setting Up Your Dell PowerEdge Server Using Dell Lifecycle Controller.

5. Installation of an Operating System

The embedded LifeCycle Controller simplifies the installation of the Operating System with the "OS Deployment" feature. When using this feature, drivers are preloaded before the installation process. The operating system is smoothly installed as all components are well recognized by the operating system.

For more information, reference How to Install the Operating System on a Dell PowerEdge Server.

6. Update Strategies

Dell PowerEdge servers offer a wide variety of options for keeping firmware and drivers up to date. Whether you want to update a single driver on a single system, or if you want to update all your systems at once, Dell provides many useful tools to simplify the process.

For more information, reference Updating Firmware and Drivers on Dell PowerEdge Servers.

7. Embedded Hardware Diagnostic

The Hardware Diagnostics is embedded in the Lifecycle Controller and has a physical (as opposed to logical) view of the attached hardware, so it can identify hardware problems that the operating system and other online tools cannot identify.

For more information, reference How to Run Hardware Diagnostics on your PowerEdge Server.

8. Embedded SupportAssist

System with iDRAC9 SupportAssist is now embedded in the integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC). When registered, SupportAssist automatically identifies hardware faults, creates a case, and initiates contact from Dell EMC to the customer.

For troubleshooting, you can export the SupportAssist Collection through the iDRAC web interface even without a registration. For more information, Export a SupportAssist collection via iDRAC9.

9. More Resources

• Step-by-step videos, including overviews of system internals and externals, and detailed, concise, task-oriented videos
• Reference materials, including searchable Owner’s Manual content, LCD diagnostics, and an electrical overview

10. Previous generation servers

• Start-Up page for Dell PowerEdge Server of 12th and 13th generation (R620, R630)
• Support for Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 6 (iDRAC6)  
• How to Setup and Manage Your iDRAC or CMC for Dell PowerEdge Servers and Blades
• Dell PowerEdge M1000e - CMC Setup and Management Resources