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Dell PowerEdge Server Start-up Guide

Summary: This is the start-up page for a new Dell PowerEdge Server. The article details system installation, use of the iDRAC, LifeCycle Controller (LCC) configuration, and installing an operating system. ...

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Article Content


Symptoms


SLN285802_en_US__1rack-server (Small)

You have unboxed your brand new PowerEdge server. It is now time to install in the relevant rack, get the iDRAC setup and install the operating system. This enables you to integrate the device into your infrastructure. This guide is here to help you through all the steps needed. It also provides best practices to ensure an optimal configuration and performance. The information here also simplifies maintenance and management.

This article is intended as a guide to system installation, use of the iDRAC, LifeCycle Controller (LCC) configuration, and installing an operating system. It also includes a segment to assist learning more about Systems Management options. It begins with the latest release of the PowerEdge which runs iDRAC9. For information about how to setup and manage previous versions of iDRAC, go to the bottom of this page. If you are not sure which version iDRAC your server runs, you can check here.

 

SLN285802_en_US__2icon Note: To discover the latest generation of PowerEdge servers, go to www.dellemc.com/servers.

 

SLN285802_en_US__2icon Note: Dell PowerEdge servers running iDRAC9 are the latest model. A complete list of new features is available in this article. The steps required to configure your new server to make the most of these, are explained below.

 
 

 

Cause

    NA

Resolution

 

Steps to get started:

  1. Installing the system in its new location
  2. Configuring the iDRAC for better system management
  3. Logging in the iDRAC web interface
  4. Configuring the LCC (LCC)
  5. Installing an Operating System
  6. Learn more about Systems Management

Features and Resources:

  1. Update Strategies
  2. Embedded Hardware Diagnostic
  3. Secure Connect Gateway
  4. Other Resources

Getting Started Guides for older servers

 

1. Setting up the system

  1. Unpack the system

  2. Install the system into the rack. How to physically install a server in a rack or tower mode is explained in this article.

  3. Connect the peripherals to the system

  4. Connect the power and turn on the system. It can be done by pressing the power button or by using the iDRAC
     

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2. Configure the iDRAC

The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is designed to improve productivity for system administrators and improve the overall availability of Dell systems. The iDRAC alerts administrators about system issues. This allows remote system management and reduces the need for physical access to the system.

The initial configuration of the iDRAC9 and the LCC is explained step by step in this article

 


3. Log in to iDRAC

To log in into the iDRAC Web User Interface, open a browser and enter the address IP. The address by default is 192.168.0.120. There are also others ways to connect to the iDRAC using command-line protocols (SSH, RACADM). For more information about this, see the latest Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User's Guide at www.dell.com/idracmanuals  under the title "Setting up iDRAC Communication."

The login screen is displayed. The default username is "root." 

If you have not opted for secure default access to iDRAC, then the default password is "calvin."
If you have opted for secure default access to iDRAC, the Secure Password is on a sticker on the underside of the Service Tag information.



SLN285802_en_US__5secure%20password%20idrac (Custom)
Figure 1: Sticker with secure default password


Enter the Username and password to log in iDRAC.

SLN285802_en_US__6image(11908)
Figure 2: iDRAC9 web interface login screen


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Figure 3: iDRAC9 dashboard

 

 

SLN285802_en_US__2icon Note: In the iDRAC settings, it is possible to enable directory login (Microsoft AD or LDAP).



For more information about logging in to the iDRAC and iDRAC licenses, see the latest Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User's Guide at www.dell.com/idracmanuals .


4. Configure and Launch LifeCycle Controller (LCC)

Dell LCC is an advanced embedded systems management technology that enables remote server management using the iDRAC. Using LCC, you can update the firmware using a local or Dell-based firmware repository. The OS Deployment wizard available in LCC enables you to deploy an operating system.

To access the LCC, press F10 during startup. The LCC shares an IP address with one of the server network cards. The IP address must be configured at least once to use the update and the operating system installation feature. This page explains the initial setup of the LCC.

 


5. Installation of an Operating System

The embedded LCC simplifies the installation of the operating system with the "OS Deployment" feature. This feature preloads the necessary drivers before the installation process. This gives a smooth installation as the operating system recognizes all components.

Find all details in the dedicated article "How to install the operating system on a Dell PowerEdge Server?"
 

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6. Learn more about Systems Management

Dell delivers management solutions that help IT Administrators deploy, update, monitor, and manage IT assets. OpenManage solutions and tools allow you to quickly respond to issues in physical, virtual, local, and remote environments, operating in-band and out-of-band (agent-free). Learn more here.

 

7. Update Strategies

Dell PowerEdge servers offer a wide variety of options for keeping firmware and drivers up to date. Dell provides many useful tools to simplify the update process from updating a single driver on a single system to updating all systems at once.

For more information read the dedicated article Updating a PowerEdge.

 


8. Embedded Hardware Diagnostic

System Hardware Diagnostics are embedded in the LCC. The LCC has a physical (as opposed to logical) view of the attached hardware. This can identify hardware problems that the operating system and other online tools cannot identify.

Find all details in the dedicated article How to Run Hardware Diagnostics on your PowerEdge Server.

 


9. Secure Connect Gateway

Secure connect gateway is an enterprise monitoring technology that is delivered as an appliance and a stand-alone application. It monitors your devices and proactively detects hardware issues that may occur. Depending on your service contract, it also automates support request creation for issues that are detected on the monitored devices.

The application edition can be installed on a server running Windows or Linux operating system.

For more information, see the Secure Connect Gateway product page.

 

SLN285802_en_US__10system-management-software-laptop (Custom)

 

10. More Resources

qrl.dell.com is an online application that provides videos to handle the server's components.
The videos and documents include a wide range of topics, such as:
  • Step-by-step videos, including overviews of system internals and externals
  • Detailed, concise, task-oriented videos
  • Reference materials, including searchable Owner’s Manual content, LCD diagnostics, and an electrical overview
 

11. Previous generation servers

How to identify the generation of a server is explained in this article.   

Additional Information

  Please refer to this video:

Videos

 

Article Properties


Affected Product

PowerEdge

Last Published Date

25 Mar 2024

Version

9

Article Type

Solution