DRAC 5 remote 'launch console' login failed

Question

the server details are:

server: windows 2003 server, enterprise edition, pe 1950

rac: DRAC 5, hardware A00, firmware 1.33 (didn't see any newer versions on dell site)

- I can connect and launch DRAC gui (remotely and on the server)

- the first time I selected the console tab I was prompted to install a virtual kvm activex plugin

- I installed it, logged out of the DRAC, logged back in successfully, but when attempting to connect to the console via "console redirection" the session viewer returns an informational message "login failed, unable to connect to appliance, due to network problem"

- it doesn't seem to matter which version of IE the client is using (I have tried IE7 and IE6)

I did see an older post with a similar issue but it suggested the issue was resolved by upgrading the DRAC firmware to 1.32 (this would be one version back from what I have in place)

any suggestions are appreciated, thanks

DELL-Jeff M · Answer

Thanks for posting!  Security can sometimes cause the problem you describe.  Settings in IE can keep the console redirect plugin from running, also blocked ports between the DRAC and the client system can cause problems as well.

snilloctony · Answer

thanks for the input JeffLM

just to clarify, do you mean "client settings in IE" can prevent the plugin from running?

also, I was unaware of any other ports that needed to be open in the firewall (I have configured the DRAC to use port 4443 and opened corresponding TCP port on the firewall); I will experiment with ports (maybe UDP port needs to be opened as well?)

DELL-Jeff M · Answer

Yes, client settings in IE.

There are lots of ports that are needed by the DRAC for various functions to work. Ports 5900 and 5901 are used for console redirect, for instance. I don't think putting the DRAC on the other side of a firewall is a supported configuration in any case.

snilloctony · Answer

ah, sounds like VNC ports (makes sense), I didn't know about this

the DRAC is internal to the firewall and I wasn't thinking of putting it outside the firewall

I will experiment with ports 5900 and 5901

thanks for the feedback

snilloctony · Answer

thanks JeffLM, ports 5900-5901 when opened in the firewall allowed console redirect :smileyhappy:

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DRAC 5 remote "launch console" login failed

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