Set Powerdge T420 to auto boot?

Question

Hi all, I recently was able to acquire a Poweredge T420 that i'm going to setup a RAID array (something i have never done) and combine my 3 home servers into one unit. On all my current servers, (Dell Precisions), i have an auto boot and auto shutdown time set, mainly because i don't want to the machine running when it's not going to be accessed, which is mainly overnight. So those 7-10 hours it is off, and then turns on in the morning.

I would like to do the same with the Poweredge, but i don't see BIOS settings like how the Precisions have that can accommodate this. The machine does have an iDRAC card and lifecycle controller in it, have never used them before, but would that be what i need to use to do this with? Any help would be appreciated, this is a learning experience for me too, as i'm setting up a network switch with POE down there too, going all out with the upgrades.

Dell-DylanJ · Accepted Answer

Hello,

The iDRAC can help accomplish what you're looking for. The iDRAC web interface allows you to power up and power down a system at will, but I don't believe there is a scheduling option. You may be able to accomplish this with scripting, but it isn't something offered in our servers. I was unaware the Precision workstations offered this, but I don't believe you'll find a perfect analog in the iDRAC. The scheduling options I see extend to items like firmware updates or diagnostics, but not quite what you're looking for.

Both the iDRAC Express and the iDRAC Enterprise should allow you to remotely power up and power down the host.

Dell-DylanJ · Answer

You'd either have to expose the iDRAC to the larger internet (some people do this, but I do not recommend it), or use something like a jump box. When I say jump box, I just mean an intermediary system that you would remote into, then subsequently use to get into the target system.

the.mknabster · Answer

Thanks for your response Dylan! I was messing around in the iDrac and didn't notice a spot to auto on or off anywhere either, wasn't sure if i was missing something. But yes, I have a Precision T7400, 3600, and 5810 and they all have auto on options under power, but it's not wake on lan or auto power recovery. Like i can put a time in for it to boot and that's what i have been using for the past several years. It's all good though, at least i can remote into the iDRAC and turn it on that way if it was off.

Do you know of a way to connect to iDRAC from outside the network?

PowerEdge Hardware General

Set Powerdge T420 to auto boot?

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