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December 16th, 2020 17:00
iDRAC Systems Management Options
I am buying a basic PowerEdge T140 for home use, mainly to experiment (play) with and learn about client/server computing and networking technology, maybe dabble in web applications development, etc., since this is an area that interests me, and the extra knowledge will help me in my work dealing with technical staff. Also, I might eventually put up a website related to a hobby, or find other things to do with it.
Since this is all pretty new stuff for me, one of the purchase decisions I struggled with relates to the iDRAC Systems Management Options that are offered when you purchase the server.
Apparently, to enable communication between your system and iDRAC, you must first configure the network settings based on your network infrastructure. With iDRAC (Version 9 anyway), the network settings option is set to DHCP, by default. (Previous versions I believe were set to “Static IP” by default.)
Further, Dell is very careful to point out that “For static IP configuration, you must request the setting at the time of purchase” and “Only one setting is possible.”
I understand that only one setting is possible (at a time), but why exactly can it not be changed after purchase? Why are you stuck with whatever you requested at the time of order, with apparently no possibility to reconfigure the system later, if desired? I am guessing there’s a technical reason, and I would like to understand it fully.
Also, as noted above, Dell says “For static IP configuration, you must request the setting at the time of purchase.” Would that also apply to the default DHCP choice, that you cannot change it to Static IP later? From the documentation, I don’t see why it isn’t possible.
Finally, looking at my intended usage, what would be my better choice, and why? I appreciate any explanations or comments that would be helpful.
For the record, I ordered the machine (2 days ago) set to Static IP, thinking it would be the right choice. I hope I am not wrong.
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BradyP67
5 Posts
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December 16th, 2020 17:00
In the 3rd to last paragraph, I meant to ask, would that also apply to "DHCP", in that you must select (or default to) it at time of purchase, and could not change from "Static IP" (If that had been selected) later?
BradyP67
5 Posts
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December 16th, 2020 19:00
Hi Shine-K,
Thank you for your reply.
I guess it could be confusing how Dell states "For static IP configuration, you must request the setting at the time of purchase." Depending how one interprets that, it sounds like you can't change it afterwards, but perhaps the note is more targeted at buyers who are familiar with the old setup (prior to iDRAC v9), to let them know that they must choose that option now if they want to receive it that way.
It is a relief to know I didn't make a bad choice, and will be able to reconfigure as desired in the future. All part of the learning experience.
Thanks again,
BradyP67
DELL-Shine K
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December 16th, 2020 19:00
@BradyP67 , DHCP or Static option while ordering is to decide what setting you need to have on iDRAC while system is getting shipped from Dell. You will be able to change this settings once you receive the server.
DJinSanDiego
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December 23rd, 2020 04:00
To OP:
Earlier this year, I got a PowerEdge T340 as a first time (noobie) Dell user -- not even a PC of any kind.
As a retired IT professional very familiar with IBM's landscape, the iDRAC and Life Cycle Controller look and felt familiar -- but different. I ended up playing a lot of what if games, making some mistakes and finally getting to the point where I was ready to install the OS of choice: Windows Server 2016 Essentials. This "N-1" choice was deliberate and based upon the need for the machine to perform traditional in house/on premise backups of client PCs.
Even the attempts to install WSE2016 met with some surprises: While Windows Server 2016 was in the drop down list, Essentials was not and the system complained. But forging ahead yielded success. It's up and running.
My advice: find and install the current "patches" for the box. You should be able to find those by following the link when logged into the Dell site and having entered your Service Tag identifier. Or once familiar with the Lifecycle Controller you can try it online.
The iDRAC documentation doesn't give you any perspective if you have not been involved in supporting a traditional data center. I found it just assumes you've BTDT and know what's what. iDRAC gives you remote access to the box at the level of the hardware. IOW, if you had a room full of servers but could not physically access them, how would you perform necessary tasks remotely? iDRAC allows you to do that.
I like to think of the Lifecycle controller as a PC embedded in the server. It gives you a set of controls and device management tools without requiring any kind of OS. If you are responsible for turning up and eventually turning down servers, those tasks are a part of the LC. The LC is where you would start the installation of the OS on the system. Want/need to update the firmware? Do it with the LC whether it's over the internet or using files you've already D/L to an optical disc or USB device.
Hopefully those thumbnail descriptions help. GL