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mountaineer07

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7 Posts

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October 30th, 2023 07:12

How to shutdown/reboot server in right way

Hi everyone,

We find iDRAC 9 has multiple power control options for server:

  • Power Off System
  • Graceful Shutdown
  • Reset System (warm boot)
  • Power Cycle System (cold boot)

We can not find explanation about them in User guide. How are they actually different (internal, detailed procedure) compared to shutdown/restart action of operating system (e.g CentOS, RHEL...)?

Hope someone can clarify.

DELL-Erman O

Moderator

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2.3K Posts

October 30th, 2023 11:21

Hi, I think you mentioned this Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 9 User's Guide | Dell US

I'll try to explain each one below:

  • Power Off System: This option shuts down the server instantly, without giving the operating system time to close gracefully. It is like pulling out the power cable from the server. This option is very risky and should be avoided, as it can damage or erase data.
  • Graceful Shutdown: This option tells the operating system to start a normal shutdown process. The server will turn off after the operating system has finished its shutdown tasks. This option is preferable for most cases, as it preserves the system state and data.
  • Reset System (warm boot): This option restarts the server without turning it off. The operating system will boot up again as if the server was reset by pressing a button. This option can be handy for fixing problems or making changes that need a reboot.
  • Power Cycle System (cold boot): This option switches off the server and then switches it on again after a short pause. The operating system will load as if the server was turned on by pressing a button. This option can be useful for clearing any temporary errors or resetting the hardware state.

mountaineer07

1 Rookie

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7 Posts

October 30th, 2023 15:43

Dear Erman Özkurt,

Thanks for your information. As per your explanation, do Graceful Shutdown and Reset System need any integration with server's operating system or the mechanism to work with iDRAC commands is in native features of popular operating systems like Windows server, RHEL, CentOS...?

And is there any Dell document which explain those server actions or Dell assumes that most of administrators already know that :) ?

Thanks

(edited)

DELL-Chris H

Moderator

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8.6K Posts

30-10-2023 16:07 PM

Mountaineer07,

 

The iDrac will work with Windows and Redhat based OS's without needing integration. On the second note I am still trying to locate a document speciffic to the iDrac9, but it is widely known the different shutdown methods. I did find an iDrac7 document that lays out the definitions of most of them, but I will keep looking for an idrac9 version for you.

 

 

 

 

DELL-Chris H

Social Media and Communities Professional

Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services

#IWork4Dell

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mountaineer07

1 Rookie

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7 Posts

October 31st, 2023 07:27

Dear Chris,

I found this info in mentioned document of iDRAC 7:

Graceful shutdown requires an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)-aware operating system, which allows system directed power management. Ensure that the shutdown option is configured for the operating system before you perform a graceful shutdown using this option. If you use this option without configuring it on the operating system, it reboots the managed system instead of performing a shutdown operation.

I asume that this requirement is the same for Reset System (warm boot).

If the requirement is still needed in iDRAC 9, should there be some guide to configure it?

Thanks,

DELL-Erman O

Moderator

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2.3K Posts

31-10-2023 08:36 AM

Hi, this applies to iDRAC 9 as well, but I don't understand what kind of requirement you are mentioning. If you are talking about an ACPI requirement, the requirement for an ACPI-aware operating system is still valid for iDRAC 9, as far as I know. The way you set up the shutdown and reset options might be different for each operating system. For instance, for Windows Server, you can go to the Power Options in Control Panel and change the settings for the power buttons and lid actions. For RHEL or CentOS, you can use the systemctl command and adjust the power management settings.

DELL-Erman O

Social Media and Communities Professional

Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services

#IWork4Dell

Did I answer your query? Please click on ‘Mark as Accepted Answer’. ‘Thumbs up’ the posts you like!

mountaineer07

1 Rookie

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7 Posts

November 1st, 2023 04:19

Dear Erman,

I would like to clarify some points:

  1. Graceful shutdown requires an Advanced Configuration --> Are "Advanced Configuration" power settings which you mentioned in above reply?
  2. Reset System (warm boot): as if the server was reset by pressing a button --> How does this feature work with operating system? Does it require Advanced configuration as Graceful Shutdown does?
  3. NMI (Non-Masking Interrupt): What does this action mean? How should I use it?

Thank you.

DELL-Young E

Moderator

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3.7K Posts

01-11-2023 07:25 AM

Hello,

 

Graceful shutdown requires an Advanced Configuration --> Are "Advanced Configuration" power settings which you mentioned in above reply?

 

  • That’s correct


Reset System (warm boot): as if the server was reset by pressing a button --> How does this feature work with operating system? Does it require Advanced configuration as Graceful Shutdown does?

  • We can think of it this way: it’s like the OS give a powerdown command.


NMI (Non-Masking Interrupt): What does this action mean? How should I use it?

-“In computing, a non-maskable interrupt (NMI) is a hardware interrupt that standard interrupt-masking techniques in the system cannot ignore. It typically occurs to signal attention for non-recoverable hardware errors. Some NMIs may be masked, but only by using proprietary methods specific to the particular NMI.”

 To be honest, this is quite an advance level where Dell engineers gives a visit for this- you need to active idrac in NMI first.

 

 

Respectfully,


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