Back to Contents Page

Using GUI Console Redirection

Dell™ Remote Access Controller 5 Firmware Version 1.40 User's Guide

  Overview

  Using Console Redirection

  Using the Video Viewer

  Frequently Asked Questions

This section provides information about using the DRAC 5 console redirection feature.

Overview

The DRAC 5 console redirection feature enables you to access the local console remotely in either graphic or text mode. Using console redirection, you can control one or more DRAC 5-enabled systems from one location.

Today with the power of networking and the Internet, you do not have to sit in front of each server to perform all the routine maintenance. You can manage the servers from another city or even from the other side of the world from your desktop or laptop computer. You can also share the information with others— remotely and instantly.

Using Console Redirection

NOTE: When you open a console redirection session, the managed system does not indicate that the console has been redirected.

The Console Redirection page enables you to manage the remote system by using the keyboard, video, and mouse on your local management station to control the corresponding devices on a remote managed system. This feature can be used in conjunction with the Virtual Media feature to perform remote software installations.

The following rules apply to a console redirection session:

• Only two simultaneous console redirection sessions are supported.
  
  
• Console redirection sessions can only be connected to one remote target system.
  
  
• You cannot configure a console redirection session on the local system.
  
  
• A minimum available network bandwidth of 1 MB/sec is required.
  
  

Supported Screen Resolutions Refresh Rates on the Managed System

Table 9-1 lists the supported screen resolutions and corresponding refresh rates for a console redirection session that is running on the managed system.

Table 9-1. Supported Screen Resolutions and Refresh Rates

Configuring Your Management Station

To use Console Redirection on your management station, perform the following procedures:

1. Install and configure a supported Web browser. See the following for more information:
   
   
   • The Dell Systems Software Support Matrix on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
     
     

     NOTICE: Console Redirection and Virtual Media only support 32-bit Web browsers. Using 64-bit Web browsers may generate unexpected results or failure of operations.

     
     
   • "Configuring a Supported Web Browser"
     
     
2. Configure your monitor display resolution to at least 1280 x 1024 pixels at 60 Hz with 128 colors. Otherwise, you may not view the console in Full Screen Mode.
   
   
3. If you are using the Java plug-in to connect, ensure that your system has Java Virtual Machine (JVM) version 1.4 or later installed.
   
   

Configuring Console Redirection

1. On your management station, open a supported Web browser and log into the DRAC 5. See "Accessing the Web-Based Interface" for more information.
   
   
2. In the System tree, click System.
   
   
3. Click the Console tab and then click Configuration.
   
   
4. In the Console Redirect Configuration page, use the information in Table 9-2 to configure your console redirection session.
   
   
5. In DRAC 5 versions 1.40 and later, you can select the Native or Java plug-in type you want to install.
   
   

Click Apply Changes.

Table 9-2. Console Redirection Configuration Page Information 

The buttons in Table 9-3 are available on the Console Redirect Configuration page.

Table 9-3. Console Redirection Configuration Page Buttons

NOTE: With DRAC 5 version 1.30 and later, you can disable console redirection for a remote user. For more information, see "Disabling DRAC 5 Remote Virtual KVM."

Opening a Console Redirection Session

When you open a console redirection session, the Dell Virtual KVM Viewer Application starts and the remote system's desktop appears in the viewer. Using the Virtual KVM Viewer Application, you can control the system's mouse and keyboard functions from a local or remote management station.

To open a console redirection session:

1. On your management station, open a supported Web browser and log into the DRAC 5. See "Accessing the Web-Based Interface" for more information.
   
   
2. In the System tree, click System and then in the Console tab, click Console Redirect.
   
   

NOTE: If you receive a security warning prompting you to install and run the Console Redirection plug-in, verify the plug-in's authenticity and then click Yes to install and run the plug-in. If you are running Firefox, restart the browser and then go to step 1.

3. In the Console Redirection page, use the information in Table 9-4 to ensure that a console redirection session is available.
   
   

Table 9-4. Console Redirection Page Information 

The buttons in Table 9-5 are available on the Console Redirection page.

Table 9-5. Console Redirection Page Buttons

4. If a console redirection session is available, click Connect.
   
   

If your system is running on Linux and you had selected to install the Java plug-in in the Console Redirect Configuration page, a message is displayed prompting you to Open or Save the .jnlp file on the system. If you choose to save the .jnlp file, manually run the saved file by double-clicking it. If you download the .jnlp file and don't run it, the status of the Console Redirection will always display Connecting.

If your system is running on Windows and you had selected to install the Java plug-in in the Console Redirect Configuration page, the system saves the .jnlp file and runs it automatically.

NOTE: If JVM is not installed on your system and you click Connect, the status of the Console Redirection is displayed as Connecting until you click Disconnect.

NOTE: Multiple message boxes may appear after you launch the application. To prevent unauthorized access to the application, you must navigate through these message boxes within three minutes. Otherwise, you will be prompted to relaunch the application.

NOTE: If one or more Security Alert windows appear in the following steps, read the information in the window and click Yes to continue.

The management station connects to the DRAC 5 and the remote system's desktop appears in the Dell Digital KVM Viewer Application.

5. If two mouse pointers appear on the remote system's desktop, synchronize the mouse pointers on the management station and the remote system. See "Synchronizing the Mouse Pointers."
   
   

Disabling or Enabling Local Video

To disable or enable local video, perform the following procedure:

1. On your management station, open a supported Web browser and log into the DRAC 5. See "Accessing the Web-Based Interface" for more information.
   
   
2. In the System tree, click System.
   
   
3. Click the Console tab and then click Configuration.
   
   
4. If you want to enable (turn ON) local video on the server, in the Console Redirect Configuration page, select the Local Server Video Enabled check-box and then click Apply Changes. The default value is ON.
   
   
5. If you want to disable (turn OFF) local video on the server, in the Console Redirect Configuration page, deselect the Local Server Video Enabled check box and then click Apply Changes.
   
   

The Console Redirection page displays the status of the Local Server Video.

NOTE: The local server video enabled feature is supported on all x9xx PowerEdge systems except PowerEdge SC1435 and 6950.

NOTE: By disabling (turning OFF) the local video on the server, only the monitor connected to the local server will be disabled.

NOTE: With DRAC 5 version 1.30 and later, you can disable console redirection for a remote user. For more information, see "Disabling DRAC 5 Remote Virtual KVM."

Using the Video Viewer

The Video Viewer provides a user interface between the management station and the remote system, allowing you to see the remote system's desktop and control its mouse and keyboard functions from your management station. When you connect to the remote system, the Video Viewer starts in a separate window.

The Video Viewer provides various control adjustments such as video calibration, mouse acceleration, and snapshots. Click Help for more information on these functions.

When you start a console redirection session and the Video Viewer appears, you may be required to adjust the following controls in order to view and control the remote system properly. These adjustments include:

• Accessing the Viewer Menu Bar
  
  
• Adjusting the video quality
  
  
• Synchronizing the mouse pointers
  
  

Accessing the Viewer Menu Bar

The viewer menu bar is a hidden menu bar. To access the menu bar, move your cursor near the top-center edge of the Viewer's desktop window.

Also, the menu bar can be activated by pressing the default function key <F9>. To reassign this function key to a new function:

1. Press <F9> or move your mouse cursor to the top of the Video Viewer.
   
   
2. Press the "push pin" to lock the viewer menu bar.
   
   
3. In the viewer menu bar, click Tools and select Session Options.
   
   
4. In the Session Options window, click the General tab.
   
   
5. In the General tab window in the Menu Activation Keystroke box, click the drop-down menu and select another function key.
   
   
6. Click Apply, and then click OK.
   
   

Table 9-6 provides the main features that are available for use in the viewer menu bar.

Table 9-6. Viewer Menu Bar Selections 

Adjusting the Video Quality

The Video Viewer provides video adjustments that allow you to optimize the video for the best possible view. Click Help for more information.

To automatically adjust the video quality:

1. Access the Viewer Menu Bar. See "Accessing the Viewer Menu Bar."
   
   
2. Click Tools and select Automatic Video Adjust.
   
   

The video quality is recalibrated, and the session viewer reappears.

To manually adjust the video quality:

1. Access the Viewer Menu Bar. See "Accessing the Viewer Menu Bar."
   
   
2. Click Tools and select Manual Video Adjust.
   
   
3. In the Video Adjustment window, click each video adjustment button and adjust the controls as needed.
   
   

When you manually adjust the video quality, observe the following guidelines:

• To prevent the mouse pointers from desyncronizing, adjust the horizontal setting so the remote system's desktop is centered in the session window.
  
  
• Reducing the Pixel Noise Ratio setting to zero causes multiple video refresh commands that generates excessive network traffic and flickering video in the Video Viewer window. Dell recommends that you adjust the Pixel Noise Ratio setting at a level that provides optimal system performance and pixel enhancement while minimizing network traffic.
  
  

Synchronizing the Mouse Pointers

When you connect to a remote Dell system using Console Redirection, the mouse acceleration speed on the remote system may not synchronize with the mouse pointer on your management station, causing two mouse pointers to appear in the Video Viewer window.

To synchronize the mouse pointers:

1. Access the Viewer Menu Bar. See "Accessing the Viewer Menu Bar."
   
   
2. Click Tools and select Session Options.
   
   
3. Click the Mouse tab, select your management station's operating system, and click OK.
   
   
4. Click Tools and select Manual Video Adjust.
   
   
5. Adjust the horizontal controls so the remote system's desktop appears in the center of the session window.
   
   
6. Click OK.
   
   

When using Linux (Red Hat® or Novell®), the operating system's default mouse settings are used to control the mouse arrow in the DRAC 5 Console Redirection screen.

NOTE: On Linux (Red Hat or Novell) systems, there are known mouse arrow synchronization issues. To minimize mouse synchronization problems, ensure that all users use the default mouse settings.

For information on disabling the console redirection, see "Disabling DRAC 5 Remote Virtual KVM."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a new remote console video session be started when the local video on the server is turned OFF?

Yes.

Why does it take 15 seconds to turn OFF the local video on the server after requesting to turn OFF the local video?

It gives a local user an opportunity to take any action before the video is switched OFF.

Is there a time delay when turning ON the local video?

No, once a local video turn ON request is received by DRAC 5 the video is turned ON instantly.

Can the local user also turn OFF the video?

Yes, a local user can use racadm CLI (local) to turn OFF the video.

Can the local user also turn ON the video?

Yes, the user should have racadm CLI installed on the server and only if the user is able to access the server over an RDP connection, such as terminal services, telnet, or SSH. The user can then log on to the server and can run racadm (local) to turn ON the video.

My local video is turned OFF and for some reason my DRAC 5 is not accessible remotely and the server is not accessible with RDP, telnet, or SSH. How do I recover the local video?

The only way to recover the local video in this case is by removing the AC power cord from the server, draining the server flee power and reconnecting the AC power cord; this will bring back the local video on the server monitor. Also, the DRAC 5 configuration is changed to local video ON (default). The DRAC 5 needs to be reconfigured if the local video needs to be turned OFF again.

Does switching OFF the local video also switch OFF the local keyboard and mouse?

No, switching OFF the local video only switches OFF the video going from the server's monitor output connector; it will not switch off the keyboard and mouse connected locally to the server.

Does turning off the local server video turn off the video on the remote vKVM session?

No, turning the local video ON or OFF is independent of the remote console session.

What privileges are needed for a DRAC 5 user to turn ON or OFF the local server video?

Any user with DRAC 5 configuration privileges can turn the local server video ON or OFF.

How can I get the current status of the local server video?

The status is displayed on the Console Redirection Configuration page of the DRAC 5 web-based interface. The racadm CLI command racadm getconfig –g cfgRacTuning displays the status in the object cfgRacTuneLocalServerVideo. The status is also seen by the local user on the server LCD screen as "Video OFF" or as "Video OFF in 15".

Why is it that sometimes I do not see the "Video OFF" or "Video OFF in 15" status on the server LCD screen?

The local video status is a low-priority message and will get masked if a high priority server event has occurred. The LCD messages are based on priority; you must resolve any high-priority LCD messages and once that event is cleared or resolved, the next low priority message is displayed. The server video message on the LCD screen is informational in nature.

Where can I get more information on the Local Server Video feature?

See the Dell Support website at support.dell.com for a white paper discussing this feature.

I see video corruption on my screen. How do I fix this issue?

In the Console Redirection window, click Refresh to refresh the screen.

NOTE: You may need to click Refresh several times to correct the video corruption.

During Console Redirection, the keyboard and mouse are locked after hibernation on a Windows 2000 system. What caused this to happen?

To resolve this issue, reset the DRAC 5 by running the racadm racreset command.

I cannot see the bottom of the system screen from the Console Redirection window.

Ensure that the management station's monitor resolution is set to 1280x1024.

During Console Redirection, the mouse is locked after hibernation on a Windows Server 2003 system. Why did this happen?

To resolve this issue, select an operating system other than Windows for mouse acceleration from the virtual KVM (vKVM) window pull-down menu, wait 5 to 10 seconds, and then select Windows again. If the problem is not resolved, you must reset the DRAC 5 by running the racadm racreset command.

If the problem is still not resolved, you must reset the DRAC 5 by running the racadm racreset hard command.

Why aren't the vKVM keyboard and mouse working?

You must set the USB controller to On with BIOS support in the BIOS settings of the managed system. Restart the managed system and press <F2> to enter setup. Select Integrated Devices, and then select USB Controller. Save your changes and restart the system.

Why does the managed system console screen go blank when Windows has a blue screen?

The managed system does not have the correct ATI video driver. You must update the video driver with the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD.

Why do I get a blank screen on the remote console after completing a Windows 2000 installation?

The managed system does not have the correct ATI video driver. The DRAC 5 Console Redirection will not run correctly on the SVGA video driver on the Windows 2000 distribution CD. You must install Windows 2000 using the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD to ensure that you have the latest, supported drivers for the managed system.

Why do I get a blank screen on the managed system when loading the Windows 2000 operating system?

The managed system does not have the correct ATI video driver. You must update the video driver by using the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD.

Why do I get a blank screen on the managed system in the Windows full screen DOS window?

The managed system does not have the correct ATI video driver. You must update the video driver by using the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD.

Why can't I enter BIOS setup by pressing the <F2> key?

This behavior is typical in a Windows environment. Use your mouse to click on an area of the Console Redirection window to adjust the focus. To move the focus to the bottom menu bar of Console Redirection window, use the mouse and click one of the objects on the bottom menu bar.

Why doesn't the vKVM mouse sync when I use the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD to remotely install the operating system?

Configure Console Redirection for the operating system that is running on the target system.

1. In the vKVM toolbar menu, click Tools and select Session Options.
   
   
2. In the Session Options window, click the Mouse tab.
   
   
3. In the Mouse Acceleration box, select the operating system that is running on the target system and click OK.
   
   

Why doesn't the vKVM mouse sync after coming back from hibernation on a Windows system?

Select a different operating system for mouse acceleration on the vKVM window pull-down menu. Next, return to the original operating system to initialize the USB mouse device.

1. In the vKVM toolbar, click Tools and select Session Options.
   
   
2. In the Session Options window, click the Mouse tab.
   
   
3. In the Mouse Acceleration box, select another operating system and click OK.
   
   
4. Initialize the USB mouse device.
   
   

Why doesn't the mouse sync in DOS when performing Console Redirection?

The Dell BIOS is emulating the mouse driver as a PS/2 mouse. By design, the PS/2 mouse uses relative position for the mouse pointer, which causes the sync lag. DRAC 5 has a USB mouse driver, which allows absolute position and closer tracking of the mouse pointer. Even if DRAC 5 passes the USB absolute mouse position to the Dell BIOS, the BIOS emulation would convert it back to relative position and retain the behavior.

Why doesn't the mouse sync under the Linux text console?

Virtual KVM requires the USB mouse driver, but the USB mouse driver is available only under the X-Window operating system.

I am still having issues with mouse synchronization.

Ensure that the target system's desktop is centered in the console redirection window.

1. In the vKVM toolbar, click Tools and select Manual Video Adjustment.
   
   
2. Adjust the horizontal and vertical controls as needed to align the desktop in the console redirection window.
   
   
3. Click Close.
   
   
4. Move the target system's mouse cursor to the top left corner of the console redirection window, and then move the cursor back to the center of the window.
   
   
5. Repeat step 2 through step 4 until both cursors are synchronized.
   
   

Why doesn't the vKVM mouse and keyboard work when changing mouse acceleration for different operating systems?

The USB vKVM keyboard and mouse are inactive from 5 to 10 seconds after changing the mouse acceleration. The network load can sometimes cause this operation to take longer than normal (more than 10 seconds).

Why can't I see the bottom of the server screen from the vKVM window?

Ensure that the server screen resolution is 1280 x 1024 pixels at 60 Hz with 128 colors.

Why can't I use a keyboard or mouse while installing a Microsoft® operating system remotely by using DRAC5 Console Redirection?

When you remotely install a supported Microsoft operating system on a system with Console Redirection enabled in the BIOS, you receive an EMS Connection Message that requires you to select OK before you can continue. You cannot use the mouse to select OK remotely. You must either select OK on the local system or restart the remotely managed system, reinstall, and then turn Console Redirection Off in the BIOS.

This message is generated by Microsoft to alert the user that Console Redirection is enabled. To ensure that this message does not appear, always turn off Console Redirection in the BIOS before installing an operating system remotely.

Why does console redirection fail to show the operating system boot menu in the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean versions of Microsoft Windows 2000?

On systems running Windows 2000 that can boot to multiple operating systems, change the default boot operating system by performing the following steps:

1. Right-click the My Computer icon and select Properties.
   
   
2. Click the Advanced tab.
   
   
3. Click Startup and Recovery.
   
   
4. Select the new default operating system from the Startup list.
   
   
5. In the Show list for box, type the number of seconds that the list of choices should be displayed before the default operating system automatically boots.
   
   

Why doesn't the Num Lock indicator on my management station reflect the status of the Num Lock on the remote server?

When accessed through the DRAC 5, the Num Lock indicator on the management station does not necessarily coincide with the state of the Num Lock on the remote server. The state of the Num Lock is dependent on the setting on the remote server when the remote session is connected, regardless of the state of the Num Lock on the management station.

Why do multiple Session Viewer windows appear when I establish a console redirection session?

You are configuring a console redirection session to the local system. Reconfigure the session to a remote system.

If I am running a console redirection session and a local user accesses the remote system, do I receive a warning message?

No. If a local user accesses the system, he/she can override your actions without sending a warning.

How much bandwidth do I need to run a console redirection session?

Dell recommends a 5 MB/sec connection for good performance. A 1 MB/sec connection is required for minimal performance.

What are the minimum system requirements for my management station to run console redirection?

The management station requires an Intel Pentium III 500 MHz processor with at least 256 MB of RAM.

What are the maximum number of console redirection sessions that I can run on a remote system?

The DRAC 5 supports up to two simultaneous console redirection sessions.

Why do I have mouse synchronization problems?

On Linux (Red Hat or Novell) systems, there are known mouse arrow synchronization issues. To minimize mouse synchronization problems, ensure that all users use the default mouse settings.

How can I install a Web browser on my management station that has a read-only file system?

If you are running Linux and your management station has a read-only file system, a browser can be installed on a client system without requiring a connection to a DRAC 5. By using the native plug-in installation package, the browser can be manually installed during the client setup phase.

NOTICE: In a read-only client environment, if the DRAC 5 firmware is updated to a newer version of the plug-in, then the installed VM plug-in will become inoperative. This is because earlier plug-in features are not allowed to function when the firmware contains a newer plug-in version. In this case, the client will be prompted for plug-in installation. Since the file system is read-only, the installation will fail and the plug-in features will not be available.

To obtain the plug-in installation package:

1. Log into an existing DRAC 5.
   
   
2. Change the URL in the browser's address bar, from:
   
   

https://<RAC_IP>/cgi-bin/webcgi/main

to:

https://<RAC_IP>/plugins/ # Be sure to include the trailing slash.

3. Notice the two subdirectories vm and vkvm. Navigate to the appropriate subdirectory, right click the rac5XXX.xpi file, and select Save Link Target As....
   
   
4. Choose a location to save the plug-in installation package file.
   
   

To install the plug-in installation package:

1. Copy the installation package to the client's native file system share that is accessible by the client.
   
   
2. Open an instance of the browser on the client system.
   
   
3. Enter the file-path to the plug-in installation package in the browser's address bar. For example:
   
   

file:///tmp/rac5vm.xpi

4. The browser guides the user through plug-in installation.
   
   

Once installed, the browser will not prompt for that plug-in installation again, as long as the target DRAC5 firmware does not contain a newer version of the plug-in.

Why does the console redirection session end when I reboot my terminal?

When the DRAC 5 NIC settings are in "shared" or "shared with failover" mode, a system reset causes the LAN On Motherboard (LOM) to reset. On networks that have switches with the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) enabled, this causes the connection between the management station and the client to be re-established after approximately ten to fifteen seconds. As a result, connectivity with the remote system is lost and a connection lost error message is displayed on the console redirection and virtual media clients. If you access the DRAC GUI at this time, you will receive "Page Not Found" error message.

To work around this issue:

• Use the DRAC 5 dedicated NIC for connection over the network.
  
  
• Disable STP on the network switches.
  
  

Back to Contents Page