DCE AP9475 - Console Port

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-04

We are installing the AP9475 and our IT requires a console port connection similar to the HP servers ILO port. It seems like for AP9475 which is a Dell server, the equivalent is Dell's OpenManage? Can you confirm if this is correct? If yes, how do we access it, i.e. via which port and how do we configure it?

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-04

Dear Lai,

If the Customer wants to monitor the uptime of the Server, then I would suggest you to enable SNMP on DCE Administration settings, and can monitor the DCE Server uptime. As far as I know, there is nothing more we can do if you get an access to backend of the DCE server. Everything can be managed through DCE desktop client software itself. Therefore, there is no need to access the console port of DCE server as all the configurations such as OS, Hard disk etc,, already configured and I do not think it is enabled or available for this Server since it is customized. I also let other community experts to share their views.

APC and Schneider Electric do not allow customers access to the back end of AP9475 because the system is customized. StruxureWare Data Center Expert is an appliance and should be considered a "black box" or closed system.

All the user activities can be performed through DCE Desktop client itself. There is no need to access the DCE Server through backend of DCE server.

Regards,

Bala

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-04

Dear Lai Yuan Jiun,

I fully understand what you want, i.e. you need a remote management tool for the physical server (not to be confused with the DCE software console as described by Balaraman Jagadeesan).

Therefore, firstly you need to look at your server's plastic sticker for its Dell Service tag. Then on page Welcome to Dell Support enter this Service tag which will lead you to the support pages of your server instance. There you can find out exactly which remote management tool your server is equipped with. There can be two options: cheaper built-in Dell ESM (Embedded Server Management, shared with Gb1 ethernet port) and dedicated Dell iDRAC (with dedicated management iDRAC ethernet port). Once you determine what is available in your Dell server, you can, according to Dell's instructions and manuals, configure a separate IP address for remote management of the physical server.

For example, if you use ESM (through shared Gb1 port), then it is configured through the BIOS server (network settings, access password, SOL options etc.), and communication is performed using IPMI 2.0 protocol via cmd (ipmitool or ipmiutil). In this case, it is possible to do very much (power on/off, cold restart, activate SOL (ASCII), view SEL or server health briefly and in detail, etc.), but the remote graphic (not ASCII) screen will not be accessible to you (similar to normal KVM).

If you have access to iDRAC, then you get a more advanced web-based management and monitoring interface through the dedicated iDRAC ethernet port. And in that case you can even have a full graphic remote screen (similar to normal KVM).

Now why is it necessary? Even in medium-sized data centers, this is a very demanded option, which I've been using for AP9465 appliances for almost five years now. Because it allows you to have a full remote control of the appliance, remotely perform deployment, remotely solve various complex tasks (for example, a hangup that requires a cold restart or cyclic power off/on, etc). In addition, it is never superfluous to know exactly the state of the server's cooling fans or the temperature of its internal components, power supply voltages or the status of redundant power supplies and full S.M.A.R.T. information of the single HDD of this appliance. All this is very important and critical, so that one day you will not lose control over your monitoring server, especially when it's the only one.

I hope I answered your question.

If you have any further questions, please ask.

With respect.

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-04

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