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

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.

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 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

   

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

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

Reference:
Data Domain: How to configure iDRAC on DD3300