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How to install OS on PowerEdge VRTX?
I have plugged in a USB DVD drive into one of the two USB ports on the front of the enclosure. In the iDRAC I am not sure which of the options below I should select now? I did a reboot of the machine just in case it needed to recognize the DVD drive first.
DELL-Shine K
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October 12th, 2021 09:00
As I mentioned on my previous post, If your VRTX chassis have a internal DVD drive. You can use that drive on the VRTX Chassis and map it to different blade using LCD module to install operating system.
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/poweredge-vrtx/vrtxownersmanualpub/lcd-module?guid=guid-5ad97443-5653-4f96-bbcb-d59f083574fb&lang=en-us
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/poweredge-vrtx/vrtxownersmanualpub/front-panel-features-and-indicators?guid=guid-23ddf8e6-5c89-4844-ae72-5637f2fadf28&lang=en-us
You can also use iDRAC to map ISO image to the server. You can either use virtual media feature where you can have iso image on your client and connect it or use Remote File Share feature where you can keep the ISO file on share and connect to the server using iDRAC. These feature will directly connect the ISO image to the server without upload ISO image to iDRAC hence it is faster
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/idrac8-lifecycle-controller-v2.70.70.70/idrac8_2.70.70.70_ug/managing-virtual-media?guid=guid-46b7c6c8-04c0-4ae5-bc2d-e445c386ce1c&lang=en-us
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/idrac8-lifecycle-controller-v2.70.70.70/idrac8_2.70.70.70_ug/managing-remote-file-share?guid=guid-05bef6d7-8fd3-4878-84b0-bc2d6ba0e87c&lang=en-us
Origin3k
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October 8th, 2021 09:00
The front USB ports are only good for connecting a Keyboard and Mouse. Nothing else.
Regards,
Joerg
DELL-Shine K
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October 9th, 2021 01:00
Two USB port on the chassis is used to connect keyboard and Mouse for KVM functionalities. It is not designed for DVD. To connect a DVD drive to the server you can use below options.
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/poweredge-vrtx/vrtxownersmanualpub/lcd-module?guid=guid-5ad97443-5653-4f96-bbcb-d59f083574fb&lang=en-us
thisisalloneword
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October 11th, 2021 11:00
Thanks. I was able to install the OS by plugging in the DVD player directly to the first slot blade. It is interesting to learn I can use the iDRAC web interface and provide my own ISO file on my local PC. Sounds too good to be true?!
I have run into some networking issue though after installing CentOS 7. It seems there are no networks activated. I want the blade to obtain an IP address via DHCP the same way the iDRAC and CMC did. See error below:
Origin3k
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October 11th, 2021 11:00
A server blade is connected with 2 or 4 nics to the internal ports of the embedded switch which is located on the back of a VRTX. As always a switch need a uplink to your existing network and a proper configuration to work in general.
Regards,
Joerg
thisisalloneword
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October 12th, 2021 09:00
Ok thanks. I figured it wasn't going to be easy I will start a new thread about that.
However, regarding the OS via the USB dvd drive. Is it most efficient if I just manually plug in the DVD drive to each blade to install the OS. Or can I somehow plug it in once somewhere and have it accessible to all blades?
The virtual ISO image sounds interesting, but it would probably take a long time to upload a 12GB ISO image to it? Or am I missing something abuot how that works?
thisisalloneword
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October 12th, 2021 10:00
Thanks, I will give this virtual ISO a try. I am a bit skeptical since the ISO files can be very large.
Unfortunately, my VRTX does not have a built-in DVD drive. At least I can not find one on it...
Origin3k
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October 12th, 2021 16:00
I have my doubt that your 12G ISO fits on a DVD so using the virtual media option of the iDRAC should be your first optios. You can open the other iDRACs as well and can to it in parallel if you like.
The virtual media option must be there since 1829 short after the last 3.5" floppy or so
Regards,
Joerg
DELL-Young E
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October 12th, 2021 22:00
Hi, thisisalloneword,
from your comment,
'I can use the iDRAC web interface and provide my own ISO file on my local PC'
-> Yes, this is a better way to do.