PowerEdge: How to use the Virtual Media Function on iDRAC6, iDRAC7, iDRAC8, and iDRAC9
Summary:This article shows how to use and set up the virtual media function of Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) 6, 7, 8, or 9.
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The virtual media function allows the remote usage of software image files (ISO files). ISO files can be used for installing operating systems or updating servers. This article provides information about using the virtual media function of the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Benefits of using the virtual media function are:
Updating all server firmware using the matching bootable image (ISO file) for your server.
Log in to the iDRAC using the IP on your preferred browser.
Click Launch Virtual Console from the iDRAC web interface.
Figure 1: iDRAC9 UI - Launch Virtual Console.
Click Connect Virtual Media to activate the function (Figure 2).
Figure 2: iDRAC9 UI - Connect Virtual Media.
Click Virtual Media and browse to the device you want to pass through. In this example image (Figure 3), Map CD/DVD is chosen for the usage of an image (ISO file).
Browse to the ISO location, choose the ISO then click Map Device.
Figure 3: iDRAC9 - Virtual Media UI
Click Boot.
Choose Virtual CD/DVD/ISO.
Figure 4: iDRAC9 - Boot Controls.
Confirm the boot action by clicking Yes.
Figure 5: iDRAC9 - Boot Controls.
The system reboots and shows Virtual CD boot Requested by iDRAC. The installation interface is then displayed.
Click Virtual Media and then select the device that you want to pass through. In this example, Map CD/DVD is selected for the usage of an image (ISO file).
Figure8: iDRAC8 - Select Media
Select the drive of the local system or the image file that you want to pass through by clicking Browse.
Figure9: iDRAC8 - Select source.
If you want to pass through an image, select the file and click Open.
Figure10: Select iDRAC8 file.
Click Map Device to finish the source selection. The selected device is now visible in the operating system and can be used as boot source if supported.
Figure11: iDRAC8 Mapping the source device
For booting from the selected device, you can click Next Boot and choose Virtual CD/DVD/ISO. After a restart, the server starts from this source automatically.
Follow these directions to use the virtual media function on an iDRAC6 or iDRAC7 (firmware version 1.00.00 to 1.20.20):
Open the Virtual Console from the iDRAC web interface.
Figure 16: iDRAC6 and iDRAC7 Virtual Console
Click Virtual Media and choose Launch Virtual Media.
Figure 17: iDRAC6 and iDRAC7 Launch Virtual Media
Now you see the management window. Click Add Image to open the image selection window.
Figure 18: iDRAC6 and iDRAC7 Management Window
Select the image (ISO file) that you want to use as virtual media and then click Open.
Figure 19: iDRAC6 and iDRAC7 Image file selection.
Check the Mapped checkbox to associate the selected file as a virtual device and pass it through to the server. The selected device is now visible in the operating system and can be used as boot source if supported. Restart the server and press F11 to enter the boot manager.
Figure 20: iDRAC6 and iDRAC7 Mapping the image file
Caution:Do not close the management window for if you want to use the file and device association.
iDRAC6 and iDRAC7 video:
How to use the iDRAC Virtual Media Function:
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