PowerEdge: How Do I Reset and Power Drain or Do a Virtual AC Cycle

When facing a hardware issue, the first thing to try is to reset the server in order to restart them.

Enterprise components are designed to remain powered on 24/7 but when you face an issue, a reset of your device can make things work. There are three levels of reset:

• Restart: Use the normal procedure to restart your device.

• Reset: If the device is not responding to any command, press the power button for 10 s. Power is cut, and the device restarts.

• Power Drain: As some components are still powered and do not reboot when you reset (for example the iDRAC), it is advised to perform a hard power drain if the two above procedures are not solving the issue or if some components are not responding.

Power Drain Procedure

1. Power the server down.
2. Disconnect server from all power cables, Network cables.
3. Hold down the power button continuously for at least 10 s.
4. Insert power cables and network cables back to the system.
5. Do not power the server on for initializing iDRAC and wait about 2 minutes.
6. Press the power button to power the system on.

How to perform a remote flea drain for iDRAC9.

1. Log in to the iDRAC Graphical User Interface (UI)
2. On the top menu bar, click Configuration
3. On the sub menu bar, click BIOS Settings
4. Click Miscellaneous Settings to expand it
5. In the dropdown menu across from Power Cycle Request, choose Full Power Cycle and click apply
6. You are given two reboot options, ensure to choose Apply And Reboot
7. The job goes to the Job Queue as pending reboot

How to Perform a virtual AC cycle: Without BIOS configuration task

Beginning in iDRAC firmware version 7.00.60.00, a Dell OEM Redfish command was introduced that speeds up the process by avoiding the need to boot into a UEFI environment. One or two commands are needed.

1. Ensure that the system is powered off. If it is not already off, then the command below shuts it down. Attempting a VAC while the system is powered on results in an error response and no change in system state:
   • The command is:
     • Method: POST
     • Endpoint:

       /redfish/v1/Chassis/<Chassis-Id>/Actions/ComputerSystem.Reset

     • Data: { "ResetType": "ForceOff" }
       For example (using OS-agnostic quote escaping):

       curl -sk -u <user>:<password> -X POST -H "content-type: application/json" -d "{\"ResetType\": \"ForceOff\"}" -v https://<ip>/redfish/v1/Systems/System.Embedded.1/Actions/ComputerSystem.Reset

2. Then issue the VAC command:
   • Method: POST
   • Endpoint:

     redfish/v1/Chassis/<Chassis-Id>/Actions/Oem/DellOemChassis.ExtendedReset

   • Data: { "ResetType": "PowerCycle" } 
     For example (using OS-agnostic quote escaping):

     curl -sk -u <user>:<password> -X POST -H "content-type: application/json" -d "{\"ResetType\": \"PowerCycle\"}" -v https://<ip>/redfish/v1/Chassis/System.Embedded.1/Actions/Oem/DellOemChassis.ExtendedReset