After you set up your system, run the System Setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration and optional settings. Record the information for future reference.
You can use the System Setup program to:
Change the system configuration stored in NVRAM after you add, change, or remove hardware
Set or change user-selectable options—for example, the time or date
Enable or disable integrated devices
Correct discrepancies between the installed hardware and configuration settings
NOTE: When a blade is inserted into an enclosure, the blade functions as a system. Each blade has a System Setup program to allow configuration of the blade and features such as password protection.
Entering the System Setup Program
Turn on or restart the blade.
Press <F2> immediately after you see the following message:
<F2> = Setup
If your operating system begins to load before you press <F2>, allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.
NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, see the documentation that accompanied your operating system.
Responding to Error Messages
You can enter the System Setup program by responding to certain error messages. If an error message appears while the system is booting, make a note of the message. Before entering the System Setup program, see System MessagesandWarning Messages for an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting errors.
NOTE: After installing a memory upgrade, it is normal for your system to send a message the first time you start your system.
Using the System Setup Program
Table 2-1 lists the keys that you use to view or change information on the System Setup program screens and to exit the program.
Table 2-1. System Setup Program Navigation Keys
Keys
Action
Up arrow or <Shift><Tab>
Moves to the previous field.
Down arrow or <Tab>
Moves to the next field.
Spacebar, <+>, <–>, left and right arrows
Cycles through the settings in a field. In some fields, you can also type the appropriate value.
<Esc>
Exits the System Setup program and restarts the system if any changes were made.
<F1>
Displays the System Setup program's help file.
NOTE: For most of the options, any changes that you make are recorded but do not take effect until you restart the system.
System Setup Options
Main Screen
When you enter the System Setup program, the main System Setup program screen appears (see Figure 2-1).
Figure 2-1. Main System Setup Program Screen
Table 2-2 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the main System Setup program screen.
NOTE: The options for the System Setup program change based on the system configuration.
NOTE: The System Setup program defaults are listed under their respective options, where applicable.
Table 2-2. System Setup Program Options
Option
Description
Asset Tag
Displays the customer-programmable asset tag number for the system if an asset tag number has been assigned. To enter an asset tag number of up to 10 characters into NVRAM, see Acquiring the asset.com Utility.
System Time
Resets the time on the system's internal clock.
System Date
Resets the date on the system's internal calendar.
Determines the order of devices from which the system attempts to boot during system startup. Available options can include a USB diskette drive, USB DVD/CD drive, hard drives, and USB flash drive.
NOTE: The USB diskette and DVD/CD-ROM device will be displayed in the boot order setup screen even if they are not attached to the system before you run the System Setup program
Hard-Disk Drive Sequence
Determines the order in which the BIOS will attempt to boot from hard drives in the system during system startup.
USB Flash Drive Emulation Type (Auto default)
Determines the emulation type for a USB flash drive. Hard disk allows the USB flash drive to act as a hard drive. Floppy allows the USB flash drive to act as a removable diskette drive. Auto automatically chooses an emulation type.
Auto automatically chooses the appropriate emulation type for the device, except for devices installed in the SD card slot. A device installed in the SD card slot will automatically emulate a hard drive. If you install a device in this slot that is configured as a removable diskette drive, you must manually set the emulation type to Floppy.
Boot Sequence Retry (Disabled default)
If this field is enabled and the system has failed to boot, the system will reattempt to boot after 30 seconds.
Determines whether your system starts up with the NumLock mode activated on 101- or 102-key keyboards (does not apply to 84-key keyboards).
Report Keyboard Errors (Report default)
Enables or disables reporting of keyboard errors during the POST. Select Report for host systems that have keyboards attached. Select Do Not Report to suppress all error messages relating to the keyboard or keyboard controller during POST. This setting does not affect the operation of the keyboard itself if a keyboard is attached to the system.
Memory Information Screen
Table 2-3 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Memory Information screen.
Table 2-3. Memory Information Screen
Option
Description
System Memory Size
Displays the amount of main memory. (If memory mirroring or spare memory is enabled, this value will be less than the amount of physical memory installed in the blade.) This field does not have user-selectable settings.
System Memory Type
Displays the type of system memory. This field does not have user-selectable settings.
System Memory Speed
Displays the system memory clock frequency. This field does not have user-selectable settings.
Video Memory
Displays the amount of video memory. This field does not have user-selectable settings.
System Memory Testing (Enabled default)
Determines if memory is being tested during POST. Setting this value to Enabled will affect the duration of system POST.
Node Interleaving (Disabled default)
If set to Disabled (default), NUMA is employed. If Enabled, memory interleaving is implemented.
If set to Disabled, the two DRAM controllers operate in 128-bit mode, and memory reliability is enhanced. If set to Enabled, the memory controllers operate independently in 64-bit mode, and memory performance is optimized.
Redundant Memory (PowerEdge M600)
If a valid memory configuration is installed, you can enable memory mirroring or spare memory. Options are Mirror Mode, Spare Mode, and Disabled. See System Memory.
Redundant Memory (PowerEdge M905, M805, M605)
If a valid memory configuration is installed, you can enable spare memory. Options are Spare Mode, and Disabled. See System Memory.
Low Power Mode (Disabled default)
If set to Disabled, memory runs at full speed. If set to Enabled, memory runs at reduced speed to conserve power.
CPU Information Screen
Table 2-4 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the CPU Information screen.
Table 2-4. CPU Information Screen
Option
Description
64-bit
Displays the processor register width.
Core Speed
Displays the core speed of the processors.
Bus Speed
Displays the bus speed of the processors.
Virtualization Technology (Disabled default)
NOTE: Disable this feature if your system will not be running virtualization software.
Displays when the processors support Virtualization Technology. Enabledpermits virtualization software to use Virtualization Technology incorporated in the processor design. This feature can only be used by software that supports Virtualization Technology.
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch (PowerEdge M600. Enabled default)
Enables or disables optimal use of sequential memory access. Enabled optimizes the system for applications that require sequential memory access. Disabled is used for applications with random memory access.
Hardware Prefetcher (Enabled default)
Enables or disables the hardware prefetcher.
Demand-Based Power Management (Enabled default)
Enables or disables demand-based power management. When enabled, the CPU Performance State tables will be reported to the operating system; when disabled, the CPU Performance State tables will not be reported to the operating system. If any of the CPUs do not support demand-based power management, the field will become read-only and is automatically set to Disabled.
Processor X ID
Displays the family and model number of each processor. A submenu displays the core speed, the amount of cache memory, and the number of cores of the processor(s)
Integrated Devices Screen
Table 2-5 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Integrated Devices screen.
Table 2-5. Integrated Devices Screen Options
Option
Description
Integrated SAS Controller or Integrated RAID controller (Enabled default.)
Enables the integrated SAS or RAID controller.
User Accessible USB Ports (All Ports On default)
Enables or disables the system's USB ports. Options are All Ports On or All Ports Off.
SD Card Port (PowerEdge M905 and M805)
Enables or disables the system's internal SD card port.
NOTE: This port is dedicated to a hypervisor, if installed.
Embedded Gb NICx (Enabled with PXE default)
Enables or disables the system's integrated NICs. Options are Enabled, Enabled with PXE, Enabled with iSCSI Boot, and Disabled. PXE support allows the system to boot from the network. Changes take effect after the system reboots.
MAC Address
Displays the MAC address for a particular integrated NIC. This field does not have user-selectable settings.
Capability Detected
Displays the features provided by the hardware key installed in the TOE_KEY socket on the system board.
NOTE: Some features may require the installation of an additional driver.
OS Watchdog Timer (Disabled default).
If set to Enabled, the operating system will restart the system if it locks up, based on the expiration of a timer. If set to Disabled, in the event of a system lockup, no timer will be set and the OS will not restart the system in the event of a lockup.
If set to Enabled, the I/O Acceleration Technology feature is enabled for network controllers that support this technology.
Serial Communication Screen
The blade has a single serial port (COM1) which can be enabled for console redirection through the IMC. Table 2-6 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Serial Communication screen.
Table 2-6. Serial Communication Screen Options
Option
Description
Serial Communication (Off default)
Options are On with Console Redirection via COM1,and Off.
Failsafe Baud Rate (115200 default)
Displays the failsafe baud rate used for console redirection when the baud rate cannot be negotiated automatically with the remote terminal.
Remote Terminal Type (VT 100/VT 220 default)
Select either VT 100/VT 220 or ANSI.
Redirection After Boot (Enabled default)
Enables or disables BIOS console redirection after your system boots to the operating system.
Embedded Server Management Screen
Table 2-7 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Embedded Server Managementscreen.
Table 2-7. Embedded Server Management Screen Options
Option
Description
Front Panel LCD Options (Default default
Options are User Defined LCD String, Default (the system model name and number), or None
Use-Defined LCD String
You can enter a name or other identifier for the system, to be displayed on the LCD module screen.
System Security Screen
Table 2-8 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the System Security screen.
Table 2-8. System Security Screen Options
Option
Description
System Password
Displays the current status of your system's password security feature and allows you to assign and verify a new password.
NOTE: See Using the System Password for instructions on assigning a password and using or changing an existing blade password.
Setup Password
Restricts access to the System Setup program in the same way that you restrict access to your system using the System Password feature.
NOTE: See Using the System Password for instructions on assigning a setup password and using or changing an existing setup password.
Password Status
Setting the Setup Password optionto Enabled prevents the system password from being changed or disabled at start-up.
To lock the system password, assign a setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to Locked. In this state, you cannot change the system password using the System Password option and the system password cannot be disabled at start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter>.
To unlock the system password, enter the setup password in the Setup Password field and then change the Password Status option to Unlocked. In this state, you can disable the system password at start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter> and then change the password using the System Password option.
TPM Security (PowerEdge M905 M805, and M605. Off is default)
Sets the reporting of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) in the system.
When set to Off, presence of the TPM is not reported to the operating system.
When set to On with Pre-boot Measurements, the system reports the TPM to the operating system and stores the pre-boot measurements (compliant with Trusted Computing Group standards) to the TPM during POST.
When set to On without Pre-boot Measurements, the system reports the TPM to the operating system and bypasses pre-boot measurements.
TPM Activation (PowerEdge M905 M805, and M605. No Change is default)
Changes the operational state of the TPM.
When set to Activate, the TPM is enabled and activated at default settings.
When set to Deactivate, the TPM is disabled and deactivated.
The No Change state initiates no action. The operational state of the TPM remains unchanged (all user settings for the TPM are preserved).
NOTE: This field is read-only when TPM Security is set to Off.
TPM Clear (M905 M805, and M605 No is default)
NOTICE: Clearing the TPM will cause loss of all encryption keys in the TPM. This option will prevent booting to the operating system and will result in loss of data if the encryption keys cannot be restored. Be sure to back up the TPM keys prior to enabling this option.
When set to Yes, all the contents of the TPM are cleared.
NOTE: This field is read-only when TPM Security is set to Off.
Power Button
Enables or disables the blade's power button.
If you turn off the blade using the power button and you are using an ACPI-compliant operating system, the blade can perform an orderly shutdown before power is turned off.
If the blade is not running an ACPI-compliant operating system, power is turned off immediately after the power button is pressed.
The button is enabled in the System Setup program. When disabled, the button can only turn on blade power.
AC Power Recovery (Last is default)
Determines how the blade reacts when power is restored. If the option is set to Last, the blade returns to the last power state. On turns on the blade after power is restored. When set to Off, the blade remains off after power is restored.
Exit Screen
After you press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program, the Exit screen displays the following options:
Save Changes and Exit
Discard Changes and Exit
Return to Setup
System and Setup Password Features
NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your system. If your data requires more security, use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.
NOTICE: Anyone can access the data stored on your system if you leave the system running and unattended without having a system password assigned or if you leave your system unlocked so that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting.
Your system is shipped to you without the system password feature enabled. If system security is a concern, operate your system only with system password protection.
To change or delete an existing password, you must know the password (see Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password). If you forget your password, you cannot operate your system or change settings in the System Setup program until a trained service technician changes the password jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erases the existing passwords. See Disabling a Forgotten Password.
Using the System Password
After a system password is assigned, only those who know the password have full use of the system. When the System Password option is set to Enabled, the system prompts you for the system password after the system starts.
Assigning a System Password
Before you assign a system password, enter the System Setup program and check the System Password option.
When a system password is assigned, the setting shown for the System Password option is Enabled. If the setting shown for the Password Status is Unlocked, you can change the system password. If the Password Status option is Locked, you cannot change the system password. When the system password feature is disabled by a jumper setting, the system password is Disabled, and you cannot change or enter a new system password.
When a system password is not assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled (default) position, the setting shown for the System Password option is Not Enabledand the Password Status field is Unlocked. To assign a system password:
Verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
Highlight the System Password option and press <Enter>.
Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters in your password.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.
The password assignment is not case-sensitive. However, certain key combinations are not valid. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.
NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Enter> to move to another field, or press <Esc> at any time prior to completing step 5.
Press <Enter>.
To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
The setting shown for the System Password changes to Enabled. Exit the System Setup program and begin using your system.
Either reboot your system now for your password protection to take effect
or continue working.
NOTE: Password protection does not take effect until you reboot the system.
Using Your System Password to Secure Your System
NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password (see Using the Setup Password), the system accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.
When the Password Status option is set to Unlocked, you have the option to leave the password security enabled or to disable the password security.
To leave the password security enabled:
Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
Press <Enter>.
Type your password and press <Enter>.
To disable the password security:
Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
Press <Ctrl><Enter>.
When the Password Status option is set to Locked wheneveryou turn on your system or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>, type your password and press <Enter> at the prompt.
After you type the correct system password and press <Enter>, your system operates as usual.
If an incorrect system password is entered, the system displays a message and prompts you to re-enter your password. You have three attempts to enter the correct password. After the third unsuccessful attempt, the system displays an error message showing the number of unsuccessful attempts and that the system has halted and will shut down. This message can alert you to an unauthorized person attempting to use your system.
Even after you shut down and restart the system, the error message continues to be displayed until the correct password is entered.
NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the System Password and Setup Password options to further protect your system from unauthorized changes.
Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password
When prompted, press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system
password.
If you are asked to enter your setup password, contact your network administrator.
Enter the System Setup program by pressing <F2> during POST.
Select the System Security screen field to verify that the Password Status
option is set to Unlocked.
When prompted, type the system password.
Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password option.
If Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password option, the system password has been deleted. If Enabled is displayed for the System Password option, press the <Alt><b> key combination to restart the system, and then repeat steps 2 through 5.
Using the Setup Password
Assigning a Setup Password
You can assign (or change) a setup password only when the Setup Password option is set to Not Enabled. To assign a setup password, highlight the Setup Password option and press the <+> or <–> key. The system prompts you to enter and verify the password.
NOTE: The setup password can be the same as the system password. If the two passwords are different, the setup password can be used as an alternate system password. However, the system password cannot be used in place of the setup password.
You can use up to 32 characters in your password.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.
The password assignment is not case-sensitive. However, certain key combinations are not valid. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.
After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter the System Setup program, the system prompts you for the setup password.
A change to the Setup Password option becomes effective immediately (restarting the system is not required).
Operating With a Setup Password Enabled
If Setup Password is set to Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before you can modify most of the System Setup options. When you start the System Setup program, the program prompts you to enter a password.
If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the system lets you view, but not modify, the System Setup screens—with the following exception: If System Password is not set to Enabled and is not locked through thePassword Status option, you can assign a system password (however, you cannot disable or change an existing system password).
NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the Setup Password option to protect the system password from unauthorized changes.
Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password
Enter the System Setup program and select the System Security option.
Highlight the Setup Password option, press <Enter> to access the setup
password window, and press <Enter> twice to clear the existing setup
password.
The asset.com utility is not located in the Service Mode section of the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD. To acquire this utility, use the Server Assistant CD to create a bootable diskette; the utility is then automatically created on that diskette. The asset.com utility will be available in the Service Mode section in future releases of the Server Assistant CD.
