PowerProtect Data Domain: iDRAC Flea Drain Procedure | BMC Reset

Summary: This article provides instructions for performing a flea drain (legacy BMC reset) on Dell PowerEdge-based PowerProtect Data Domain appliances. This procedure can help resolve various system issues without requiring physical intervention. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Instructions

Symptoms

  • iDRAC becomes unresponsive or behaves erratically
  • System health indicators show inconsistent or stale data
  • Hardware management functions fail to operate correctly
  • Remote access or monitoring issues persist despite reboots

Applies To:

  • PowerProtect Data Domain systems
    • Based on the PowerEdge platform (such as, DD3300, DD9900, DD9910)
  • All Software versions

iDRAC Remote Flea Drain Procedure:

Note: These steps simulate having AC power removed from the system; DO NOT send an FE to site for a Flea Drain.

  1. Log in to the iDRAC console.

  2. Go to Configuration.

  3. Click BIOS Settings.
    iDRAC UI BIOS settings menu

  4. Scroll and select Miscellaneous Settings.
    Miscellaneous Settings

  5. Select Power Cycle Request.

  6. Change the value to Full Power Cycle.

  7. Click  Apply and Reboot to proceed with the remote flea drain.

  8. Monitor the job cycle using the virtual console.

    NOTE: iDRAC connection is lost during the remote flea drain.

    This can also be done using the following RACADM CLI commands:

    racadm set BIOS.MiscSettings.PowerCycleRequest FullPowerCycle
racadm jobqueue create BIOS.Setup.1-1
reboot

Alternative: Manual Flea Drain Procedure:

Note: Dell Support: DO NOT send a Field Engineer to site to perform these actions - customer must make their own arrangements to do these steps.
  1. Power the Data Domain down gracefully.
  2. Disconnect the server from all power and network cables.
  3. Hold down the power button continuously for at least 10 s.
  4. Insert power and network cables back to the system.
  5. Wait 2 minutes before powering on the server to give the iDRAC time to initialize.
  6. Power the system on.

Affected Products

DD3300 Appliance, DD6900 Appliance, DD9400 Appliance, DD9900 Appliance

Products

Data Domain, Data Domain
Article Properties
Article Number: 000194110
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 30 Oct 2025
Version:  10
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.