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iDRAC6 Enterprise Overview

Integrated Dell™ Remote Access Controller 6 (iDRAC6) Enterprise for Blade Servers Version 2.2 User Guide

The Integrated Dell™ Remote Access Controller (iDRAC6) Enterprise is a systems management hardware and software solution that provides remote management capabilities, crashed system recovery, and power control functions for Dell PowerEdge™ systems.

iDRAC6 uses an integrated system-on-chip microprocessor for the remote monitor/control system, and co-exists on the system board with the managed Dell PowerEdge server. The server operating system executes application programs; iDRAC6 monitors and manages the server's environment and state outside of the operating system.

iDRAC6 can be configured to send an e-mail or Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) trap alert for warnings or errors. To help you diagnose the cause of a system crash, iDRAC6 can log event data and capture an image of the screen when it detects that the system has crashed.

Managed servers are installed in a Dell M1000e system enclosure (chassis) with modular power supplies, cooling fans, and a Chassis Management Controller (CMC). CMC monitors and manages all components installed in the chassis. A redundant CMC can be added to provide hot failover if the primary CMC fails. The chassis provides access to iDRAC6 devices through its LCD display, local console connections, and its Web interface. Each blade in a chassis has an iDRAC6. A total of 16 blades can be installed in the M1000e.

All network connections to iDRAC6 are routed through CMC network interfaces (CMC RJ45 connection port labeled "GB1"). CMC routes traffic to the iDRAC6 devices through a private, internal network. This private management network is outside of the server's data path and outside of the operating system's control—that is, it is out-of-band. The managed server's inband network interfaces are accessed through I/O modules (IOMs) installed in the chassis.

NOTE: It is recommended that you isolate or separate the chassis management network, used by iDRAC6 and CMC, from your production network(s). Mixing management and production or application network traffic may cause congestion or network saturation resulting in CMC and iDRAC6 communication delays. The delays may cause unpredictable chassis behavior such as CMC displaying that iDRAC6 is offline even though it is operating properly. This may also cause other unpredictable behavior.

iDRAC6 network interface is disabled by default. It must be configured before iDRAC6 is accessible. After iDRAC6 is enabled and configured on the network, it can be accessed through its assigned IP address with iDRAC6 Web interface, Telnet or SSH, and supported network management protocols, such as Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI).

IPv6 Ready Logo Certification

The IPv6 Ready Logo Committee's mission is to define the test specifications for IPv6 conformance and interoperability testing, to provide access to self-test tools, and to deliver the IPv6 Ready Logo.

iDRAC6 is Phase-2 IPv6 Ready Logo certified and the Logo ID is 02-C-000380. For information on the IPv6 Ready Logo Program, see http://www.ipv6ready.org/.

iDRAC6 Security Features

• User authentication through Microsoft Active Directory, generic LDAP Directory Service, or locally administered user IDs and passwords
  
  
• Two-factor authentication provided by the Smart–Card logon feature. The two-factor authentication is based on what the users have (the Smart– Card) and what they know (the PIN)
  
  
• Role-based authorization, which enables an administrator to configure specific privileges for each user
  
  
• User ID and password configuration
  
  
• SM-CLP and Web interfaces that support 128-bit and 40-bit encryption (for countries where 128 bit is not acceptable), using the SSL 3.0 standard
  
  
• Session time-out configuration (in seconds)
  
  
• Configurable IP ports (where applicable)
  
  
• Secure Shell (SSH), which uses an encrypted transport layer for higher security
  
  
• Login failure limits per IP address, with login blocking from that IP address when the limit is exceeded
  
  
• Configurable client IP address range for clients connecting to iDRAC6
  
  

iDRAC6 Enterprise and VFlash Media

iDRAC6 Enterprise provides an SD slot for VFlash Media. For more information about iDRAC6 Enterprise and VFlash Media, see your Hardware Owner's Manual at support.dell.com/manuals.

Table 1-1 lists the features available for iDRAC6 Enterprise and VFlash Media.

Table 1-1. iDRAC6 Feature List 

Supported Platforms

For the latest supported platforms, see iDRAC6 Readme file and the Dell Systems Software Support Matrix available at support.dell.com/manuals.

Supported Operating Systems

For the latest information, see iDRAC6 Readme file and the Dell Systems Software Support Matrix available at support.dell.com/manuals.

Supported Web Browsers

For the latest information, see iDRAC6 Readme file and the Dell Systems Software Support Matrix available at support.dell.com/manuals.

NOTE: Support for SSL 2.0 has been discontinued because of security flaws. Ensure that your browser is configured to enable SSL 3.0.

Supported Remote Access Connections

Table 1-2 lists the connection features.

Table 1-2. Supported Remote Access Connections 

iDRAC6 Ports

Table 1-3 lists the ports on which iDRAC6 listens for connections. Table 1-4 identifies the ports that iDRAC6 uses as a client. This information is required when opening firewalls for remote access to an iDRAC6.

CAUTION: iDRAC6 does not check for conflicts between configurable ports. When setting port configurations, verify that the port assignments do not conflict with each other.

Table 1-3. iDRAC6 Server Listening Ports 

Table 1-4. iDRAC6 Client Ports 

Other Documents You May Need

In addition to this User Guide, the following documents provide additional information about the setup and operation of iDRAC6 in your system:

• iDRAC6 online help provides information about using the Web interface.
  
  
• The Dell Systems Software Support Matrix provides information about the various Dell systems, the operating systems supported by these systems, and the Dell OpenManage™ components that can be installed on these systems.
  
  
• The Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Installation Guide contains instructions to help you install Dell OpenManage Server Administrator.
  
  
• The Dell OpenManage Management Station Software Installation Guide contains instructions to help you install Dell OpenManage management station software that includes Baseboard Management Utility, DRAC Tools, and Active Directory Snap-In.
  
  
• The Dell Chassis Management Controller User Guide and the Dell Chassis Management Controller Administrator Reference Guide provide information about using the controller that manages all modules in the chassis containing your Dell PowerEdge server.
  
  
• The Dell OpenManage IT Assistant User's Guide provides information about using IT Assistant.
  
  
• The Dell Management Console User's Guide provides information about using Dell Management Console.
  
  
• The Dell OpenManage Server Administrator User's Guide provides information about installing and using Server Administrator.
  
  
• The Dell Update Packages User's Guide provides information about obtaining and using Dell Update Packages as part of your system update strategy.
  
  
• The Dell Lifecycle Controller User Guide provides information on the Unified Server Configurator (USC), the Unified Server Configurator – Lifecycle Controller Enabled (USC – LCE), and Remote Services.
  
  
• The iDRAC6 CIM Element Mapping and iDRAC6 SM-CLP Property Database documents available on the Dell Enterprise Technology Center at www.delltechcenter.com provide information on iDRAC6 SM–CLP Property Database, mapping between WS–MAN classes and SM–CLP targets and Dell implementation details.
  
  

The following system documents are also available to provide more information about the system in which iDRAC6 is installed:

• The safety instructions that came with your system provide important safety and regulatory information. For additional regulatory information, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Warranty information may be included within this document or as a separate document.
  
  
• The Getting Started Guide provides an overview of system features, setting up your system, and technical specifications.
  
  
• The Hardware Owner's Manual provides information about system features and describes how to troubleshoot the system and install or replace system components.
  
  
• Systems management software documentation describes the features, requirements, installation, and basic operation of the software.
  
  
• Operating system documentation describes how to install (if necessary), configure, and use the operating system software.
  
  
• Documentation for any components you purchased separately provides information to configure and install these options.
  
  
• Updates are sometimes included with the system to describe changes to the system, software, and/or documentation.
  
  

NOTE: Always read the updates first because they often supersede information in other documents.

• Release notes or readme files may be included to provide last-minute updates to the system or documentation or advanced technical reference material intended for experienced users or technicians.

For information on terms used in this document, see the Glossary available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com/manuals.

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