How to: Connect to iDRAC over USB (All Data Protection Appliances on the Dell PowerEdge Platform)

Summary: Data Protection Appliances using the Dell PowerEdge (Gen13 & Gen14) platforms can establish a direct connection to iDRAC over the USB Service Port.

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Instructions

Data Protection Appliances using the Dell PowerEdge (Gen13 & Gen14) platforms can establish a direct connection to iDRAC over the USB Service Port.
This connection allows the same or full functionality as being connected over IP.

Applies to:

  • All Data Protection Appliances using the Dell PowerEdge Platform
    • For example, PowerProtect DD3300 | DD6900 | DD9400 | DD9900 | x400 | DP4400
  • Dell PowerEdge Gen 13 & Gen 14 servers

Prerequisites:

  • USB (A) to micro-USB (B) cable
  • iDRAC Username and Password (Default = root/calvin OR root/PSNT)
  • Laptop with USB (A) port
  • "iDRAC Direct" USB port enabled in BIOS (Default = Enabled)
    • You can enable or disable the iDRAC Direct USB Port using the system BIOS.
      Go to System BIOS > Integrated Devices.
      Select On to enable and Off to disable the iDRAC Direct USB Port.

USB Cable
Example of required USB cable

How to establish a direct connection to iDRAC over USB:

  1. Connect the USB cable to the IDRAC Direct port (Micro-USB) on the server/appliance and the management system (e.g Laptop)
    iDRAC Direct USB port on R740
    iDRAC Direct USB port on R740

    iDRAC Direct USB Ports on C6420
    iDRAC Direct USB Ports on C6420 (x400); Node 1 (Top) shows the port without cable connected

  2. Check that the IP address 169.254.0.4 has been assigned to the laptop:

    #ipconfig
    Output example of ipconfig

  3. Open a Web Browser and point it to the iDRAC IP address 169.254.0.3
    iDRAC IP address

  4. Log in to iDRAC using valid credentials (Default = root/calvin OR root/PSNT)
    iDRAC 9 Login

 

Additional Information

Note:
Gen13 Platform:
  • Use a USB A/A cable (standard USB connection on each end)
Gen14 Platform:
  • Use Type A USB to micro-B cable

Reference:
Data Domain: How to configure iDRAC on DD3300

 

Affected Products

Data Domain

Products

Data Domain, DD3300 Appliance, PowerProtect DP4400, PowerProtect Data Protection Software, Integrated Data Protection Appliance Family, PowerProtect Data Protection Hardware, PowerProtect X400 Appliance
Article Properties
Article Number: 000021505
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 12 Sep 2025
Version:  5
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