Dell OpenManage Baseboard Management Controller User Manual

Dell™ OpenManage™ Baseboard

Management Controller Utilities

User’s Guide

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Notes and Notices

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of

your computer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data

and tells you how to avoid the problem.

____________________

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, OpenManage, PowerVault, PowerConnect, and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft, Windows, Windows Server and M-DOS are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Red Hat and Red Hat Enterprise Linux are registered trademarks of Red Hat Corporation; SUSE is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.; Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

August 2007

Contents

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

What’s New in BMC Management Utility 3.0 . . . 10

Supported Systems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

BMC Configuration and Management Tasks

Configuring the BMC

Managing the System Using BMC

BMC Action on Event

Basic BMC Alerting Over a LAN

IPMI Shell Over a LAN

IPMI Shell Over the Serial Cable

SOL Proxy Over a LAN

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

. . . . . . . . . 12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

. . . . . . . . . . 14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

. . . . . . . . . . 17

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

BMC Configuration and Management Tools

Using the Remote Access Configuration Utility

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Using Deployment Toolkit

Using the BMC Management Utility

Using Server Administrator

Introduction

The Dell™ systems’ baseboard management controller (BMC) monitors the system for critical events by communicating with various sensors on the system board and sends alerts and logs events when certain parameters exceed their preset thresholds. The BMC supports the industry-standard Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification, enabling you to configure, monitor, and recover systems remotely. The BMC provides the following features:

• Access through the system’s serial port and integrated NIC

• Fault logging and SNMP alerting

• Access to the system event log (SEL) and sensor status

• Control of system functions including power on and power off

• Support that is independent of the system’s power or operating state

• Text console redirection for system setup, text-based utilities, and operating system consoles

• Access to Linux Enterprise server serial console interfaces by using Serial over LAN (SOL).

Dell provides several distinct utilities and programs for accessing the BMC to perform management activities. The following BMC interfaces allow you to configure and manage your system through the BMC:

• The BMC Management Utility allows remote, out-of-band LAN and/or serial port power control, event log access, and console redirection.

• The Remote Access Configuration Utility enables configuring BMC in a pre-operating system environment.

• The Dell OpenManage™ Deployment Toolkit SYSCFG utility provides a powerful command line configuration tool.

• Dell OpenManage Server Administrator allows remote, in-band access to event logs, power control, and sensor status information and provides the ability to configure the BMC.

• Command Line Interface (CLI) tools provide a command line tool for sensor status information, System Event Log (SEL) access, and power control.

Introduction 9

Additionally, the BMC can be accessed by standard, off-the-shelf terminal or terminal emulator utilities that allow access to sensor status information and power control.

What’s New in BMC Management Utility 3.0

The BMC Management Utility (BMU) 3.0 has the following new features:

• IPMItool command line interface available for Dell x8xx, x9xx, and xx0x systems running supported Microsoft

• New commands to manage the LCD display in

• New commands to monitor your system’s power.

• Added support for Windows Server and Web editions.)

NOTE: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 is scheduled to be available in the first half

of 2008. For latest information, see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/default.mspx.

Windows® and Linux systems.

x9xx

and xx0x systems.

2008 (includes Standard, Enterprise,

Supported Systems

The BMC management features documented in this guide are supported on the following Dell systems:

• 800

• 830

• 840

• 850

• 860

• SC1425

• SC1435

• 1800

• 1850

• 1855

• 1900

• 1950

10 Introduction

• 1955

• 2800

• 2850

• 2900

• 2950

• 2970

• 6800

• 6850

• 6950

• T105

• R900

• Dell PowerVault™ NX1950

• PowerVault 100

• PowerVault 500

• PowerVault 600

NOTE: All references in this document to x9xx systems also apply to the

PowerVault NX1950, PowerVault 500, and PowerVault 600 systems. All references to the PowerEdge 840 system also apply to the PowerVault 100 system.

Introduction 11

BMC Configuration and Management Tasks

The following sections document the basic tasks needed to set up and configure the BMC on a managed system in preparation for using the BMC Management Utility. These basic tasks are:

• Configuring the BMC

• Managing the BMC

Configuring the BMC

To configure the BMC on a managed system in a pre-boot environment, you can use:

• Dell Deployment Toolkit (DTK)

• Remote Access Configuration Utility

• Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC) 5 graphical user interface (GUI)

• command line interface (CLI)

from a management station depending on the scope of your required configuration tasks. Alternately, you can configure the BMC on a managed system with a running operating system using the Server Administrator home page GUI or CLI. See "Baseboard Management Controller Configuration" for more information.

Managing the System Using BMC

To manage the BMC in a pre-boot environment, or to access the BMC of a system, you can use the BMC Management Utility. See "Using the BMC Management Utility." To configure the BMC on a system with a running operating system or to perform everyday BMC management tasks, you can use the GUI on the Server Administrator home page. See the Server Administrator User’s Guide for more information about using Server Administrator to manage your system’s BMC functions. Figure 1-1 shows the configuration matrix for BMC.

12 Introduction

Figure 1-1. BMC Configuration Matrix

Introduction 13

BMC Action on Event

If you plan to use your system’s BMC to perform actions when events occur, you must follow the BMC Action on Event configuration guidelines listed in Ta b l e 1 - 1 .

Table 1-1. BMC Action on Event Configuration Guidelines

Features Connection

Medium

•System

Reset

•System

Power Off

•System

Power Cycle

LAN

BMC Configuration To ol s

• Deployment Toolkit (pre-operating system environment)

• Server Administrator

Basic Configuration Ta sk s

•Enable platform events

• Enable alert actions

Management To ol s

Basic BMC Alerting Over a LAN

If you plan to use your system’s BMC to send alerts (Platform Event Traps), you must follow the BMC configuration guidelines listed in Table 1-2.

NOTE: The LAN-sharing depends on the NIC selection configuration option. The

available options are Shared and Failover, and if a RAC card is present, the additional option available is Dedicated. See the NIC Selection option in the table in "Remote Access Configuration Utility Options" section for more information on Shared, Failover, and Dedicated.

NOTE: The Dedicated NIC selection option is available only if you are using Dell

Remote Access Controller (DRAC) 5.

14 Introduction

Table 1-2. BMC LAN Alerting Configuration Guidelines

Features Connection

Medium

Platform Event Alerts (SNMP Tr a ps )

LAN

BMC Configuration To ol s

• Remote Access Configuration Utility (preoperating system environment)

•Deployment Toolkit (preoperating system environment)

•Server Administrator

Basic Configuration Ta sk s

Configure NIC Selection to select Shared, Failover, or Dedicated

NOTE: This option is

available only on Dell PowerEdge x9xx and xx0x systems.

Configure the IP address, Subnet mask, and Gateway on the managed system

Configure the VLAN (optional)

Enable alerting

Configure the Alert destination IP address

Configure the Host Name (optional)

Management To ol s

IT Assistant

IPMI Shell Over a LAN

Table 1-3 lists the actions you can perform, if you plan to use the BMC Management Utility’s IPMI Shell or IPMItool to access your system’s BMC over a LAN.

Introduction 15

Table 1-3. BMC LAN Access Configuration Guidelines

Features Connection

Medium

• Remote SEL

LAN

access

• Power control

•System identification

•Sensor information

BMC Configuration To ol s

• Remote Access Configuration Utility (preoperating system environment)

•Deployment Toolkit (preoperating system environment)

•Server Administrator

Basic Configuration Tas k s

Enable IPMI over LAN on the managed system

Configure NIC selection to select Shared, Failover, or Dedicated

NOTE: This

option is available only on Dell PowerEdge x9xx and xx0x systems.

Configure the IP address, Subnet mask, and Gateway on the managed system

Configure IPMI encryption key (optional)

NOTE: This

option is available only on Dell PowerEdge x9xx and xx0x systems.

Configure VLAN (optional)

Configure BMC users

Management Tools

IPMI Shell

16 Introduction

IPMI Shell Over the Serial Cable

If you plan to use the BMC Management Utility’s IPMI Shell to access your system’s BMC over a serial cable, you must follow the BMC configuration guidelines listed in Table 1-4.

NOTE: Console redirection does not apply to BMC when using the serial interface.

Table 1-4. BMC Serial Configuration Guidelines

Features Connection

Medium

• Interactive mode

• Remote SEL access

• Power control

•System identification

•System information

• Access the BMC of the remote system

Accessed through the serial channel by using a null modem cable

BMC Configuration Tools

• BIOS (preoperating system environment)

•Deployment Toolkit (preoperating system environment)

• Server Administrator (to enable BMC serial only)

Basic Configuration Tas ks

Configure Serial Port 1 to BMC Serial

NOTE: This

option is available only on Dell PowerEdge x8xx systems.

Configure External Serial Connector to Remote Access

NOTE: This

option is available only on Dell PowerEdge x9xx and xx0x systems.

Management To ol s

• IPMI Shell (Basic mode)

• Terminal emulation (Terminal mode only)

Introduction 17

Table 1-4. BMC Serial Configuration Guidelines (continued)

Features Connection

Medium

•System information

• Access the BMC of the remote system

BMC Configuration To ol s

Basic Configuration Ta sk s

Set Serial baud rate to match the rate to be used by the management tool

Set BMC Serial Connection Mode to Basic for IPMI Shell or Terminal for Terminal emulation

Configure BMC users

Management Tools

18 Introduction

SOL Proxy Over a LAN

If you plan to use the BMC Management Utility’s SOL Proxy to access your system’s console over a LAN, you must follow the BMC configuration guidelines listed in Table 1-5.

Table 1-5. BMC SOL Configuration Guidelines

Features Connection

Medium

• Text Utility console redirection

• Remote BIOS setup

• Microsoft text console redirection

• Linux text console redirection

LAN

BMC Configuration To ol s

• BIOS (preoperating system environment)

• Remote Access Configuration Utility (preoperating system environment)

• Deployment Toolkit (preoperating system environment)

• Server Administrator

Basic Configuration Ta sk s

Configure Serial Port 1 to BMC NIC

NOTE: This

option is available only on Dell PowerEdge x8xx systems.

Configure BIOS console redirection to Serial Port 1.

NOTE: This

option is available only on Dell PowerEdge x9xx systems.

Configure Console Redirection to On with Console Redirection via COM2

NOTE: This

option is available only on Dell PowerEdge x9xx and xx0x systems.

Management Tools

•SOL Proxy

• IPMI Shell

Introduction 19

Table 1-5. BMC SOL Configuration Guidelines (continued)

Features Connection

Medium

• Force a reboot on a remote system and activate console redirection

• Access BMC of the remote system

BMC Configuration To ol s

Basic Configuration Ta sk s

Configure other Console Redirection parameters, such as baud rate, emulation type, and so on.

Enable IPMI over LAN on the managed system

Configure the IP address, Subnet mask, and Gateway on the managed system

Configure IPMI encryption key (optional)

NOTE: This

option is available only on Dell PowerEdge x9xx and xx0x systems.

Configure VLAN (optional)

Configure BMC users

Management Tools

20 Introduction

BMC Configuration and Management Tools

Using the Remote Access Configuration Utility

The Remote Access Configuration Utility provides basic BMC setup and configuration functions that can be accessed during system boot. Use the Remote Access Configuration Utility for initial BMC setup and configuration only. For advanced configuration tasks, you must use the Deployment Toolkit SYSCFG utility or Server Administrator Version 2.0 or later.

NOTE: The Remote Access Configuration Utility is called the BMC Setup Module in

the Dell PowerEdge x8xx systems.

Using Deployment Toolkit

The Deployment Toolkit (DTK) SYSCFG utility provides a powerful Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE) and Linux command an initial deployment. Use the DTK SYSCFG utility to set all supported BMC features. Additionally, you can use the Deployment Toolkit utilities to capture and replicate system settings on similar systems. See "Configuring Your BMC Using the Deployment Toolkit Utility" on page 36 for more information on how to install and set up the DTK SYSCFG utility.

Using the BMC Management Utility

The BMC Management Utility provides a command-line interface to your remote management station to manage BMC-supported functions. Use the BMC Management Utility to manage your BMC from a remote management station and as your managed system’s emergency management console. The utility gives you the option of using either a command line interface (IPMI Shell) or a SOL Proxy to access and manage the BMC. To use the BMC Management Utility, you must perform the following tasks:

• Configure BMC using the Remote Access Configuration Utility, the DTK

• Install the BMC Management Utility on a management station.

See "Configuring Your Managed System" for instructions on configuring the BMC on a managed system in preparation for using the BMC Management Utility.

-line interface for locally configuring your system’s BMC as part of

SYSCFG utility, or Server Administrator.

Introduction 21

Using Server Administrator

The Server Administrator provides a convenient and easy-to-use GUI for remotely configuring or managing your system’s BMC on a system running a supported operating system. You can use the Server Administrator to configure the most relevant BMC features, such as Platform Event Filter (PEF) parameters and alert destinations. Additionally, Server Administrator can be used as a command line interface. Server Administrator requires that the system has an operating system installed and functioning. As a result, Server Administrator is best suited for everyday BMC management tasks, and is not an option for performing pre-boot setup or accessing the BMC as an emergency management console. To use Server Administrator, you must perform the following tasks:

• Install Server Administrator on the managed system.

• Access the Server Administrator home page remotely or locally from a

supported browser on a management station.

• Configure BMC remotely or locally on the managed system.

See the Dell OpenManage™ Server Administrator User’s Guide and Command line Interface User’s Guide on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com, the Dell Systems Documentation CD, or the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD for more information about using Server

Administrator to configure and manage your system BMC.

Obtaining Technical Assistance

If at any time you do not understand a procedure described in this guide or if your product does not perform as expected, help tools are available to assist you. For more information about these help tools, see "Getting Help" in your system's Installation and Troubleshooting Guide or the Hardware Owner’s Manual.

Additionally, Dell Enterprise Training and Certification is available; see www.dell.com/training for more information. This service may not be offered in all locations.

Introduction 23

24 Introduction

Configuring Your Managed System

Before using the BMC Management Utility, configure certain items, such as the necessary system BIOS, network, Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) encryption key, and serial connection settings, depending on the functionality to be performed, to enable access to the BMC.

NOTE: The IPMI encryption key is a public key that is used to generate an

encryption key for use between the firmware and the application.

In addition, to utilize the BMC Management Utility IPMI serial functions, you must have a working connection between the management station and the correct serial I/O port of the target BMC, using a null modem cable.

This section describes the basic procedures you must perform to prepare your BMC to be accessed and managed using the BMC Management Utility. The following procedures are described:

• BIOS Configuration

• Baseboard Management Controller Configuration

• Configuring your BMC with the Dell™ OpenManage™ Deployment ToolKit (DTK) SYSCFG utility

• Configuring your BMC with Dell OpenManage Server Administrator

BIOS Configuration

For most configurations, you must configure the serial port settings and the console redirection settings in your system BIOS before you can use the BMC Management Utility. To configure the necessary system BIOS setting, your must enter the System Setup Program. The BIOS settings can also be configured using the Deployment Toolkit or the

NOTE: For more information about configuring BIOS settings, see your system

User’s Guide.

Configuring Your Managed System 25

Server Administrator.

Configuring System BIOS in Dell PowerEdge™ x8xx/x9xx Systems

Turn on or restart your system.

Press <F2> immediately after you see the following message:

<F2> = Setup

The

System Setup

NOTE: 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.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to the field and press <Enter>.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to the press <Enter>.

Use the space bar to select the serial port option.

The options are (if an optional RAC is installed in the system).

To use BMC, serial port 1 uses the can be through the serial port or the integrated shared NIC. RAC control uses only the when Console Redirection is set to use serial port 1.

Select

BMC Serial

serial cable connection.

Select

BMC NIC

access the BMC over a shared LAN.

Press <Enter> to return to the

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to the field and press <Enter>.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to the option and then use the space bar to set the console redirection feature to

Serial Port 1

Use the up- and down- arrow keys to navigate to the option and then use the space bar to set the console failsafe baud rate, if applicable.

screen appears.

Integrated Devices

Serial Port 1

COM1, COM3, BMC Serial, BMC NIC, Off

COM1

address and communication

COM1

address.

Off

and

COM3

are not available options

if you are planning to access the BMC through the

if you are using SOL proxy and are planning to

System Setup

screen.

Console Redirection

. Optionally, you can also enable

Redirection after Boot.

Failsafe Baud Rate

field and

, and

RAC

26 Configuring Your Managed System

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to the

Ty p e

option and then use the space bar to select either

Remote Terminal

VT 100/VT 200

ANSI, if applicable.

Press <Enter> to return to the

Press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program. The

System Setup

screen.

Exit

screen displays

the following options:

•

Save Changes and Exit

•

Discard Changes and Exit

•

Return to Setup

Choose the appropriate option and exit the system setup.

Configuring System BIOS in Dell PowerEdge™ x9xx and xx0x Systems

Turn on and restart your system.

Press <F2> immediately after you see the following message:

<F2> = Setup

The

System Setup

NOTE: 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.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to the

Communication

Use the spacebar to select the appropriate serial communication option.

Press <Enter> to select the appropriate option for Console Redirection. The following options are available:

On without Console Redirection:

available for use by the operating system or applications. Console redirection is disabled. This is the default option.

screen appears.

Serial

field and press <Enter>.

COM1 and COM2 are enabled and

On with Console Redirection via COM1:

When BIOS console redirection is enabled through COM1, the COM1 port is not available to applications through the operating system.

On with Console Redirection via COM2:

When BIOS console redirection is enabled through COM2, the COM2 port is not available to applications through the operating system.

Configuring Your Managed System 27

Off:

COM1 and COM2 are both disabled and not available for use by the

operating system or applications. BIOS Console redirection is disabled.

NOTE: Select On with Console Redirection via COM2 to use Console

Redirection with SOL.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to the

Communication

Use the spacebar to select the appropriate external serial communication

field and press <Enter>.

External Serial

option.

The available options are The default option is

NOTE: Select Remote Access to access the BMC through the serial cable

connection. This option can be set to any value for using SOL and accessing the BMC over LAN.

Press <Enter> to select.

If required, use the spacebar to navigate to and change the settings for

COM1, COM2

COM1

, and

Remote Access.

Redirection after Boot.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to the

Failsafe Baud Rate

option and then use the space bar to set the console failsafe baud rate, if applicable.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys navigate to the option and then use the space bar to select either

Remote Terminal Type

VT 100/VT 200

if applicable.

Press <Enter> to return to the

Press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program. The

System Setup

screen.

Exit

screen displays

the following options:

•

Save Changes and Exit

•

Discard Changes and Exit

•

Return to Setup

ANSI,

NOTE: For most options, any changes that you make are recorded but do not take

effect until you restart the system.

NOTE: Press <F1> to display the help file for the System Setup program.

28 Configuring Your Managed System

Using BIOS Console Redirection With SOL Proxy

Console redirection allows maintenance of a system from a remote location by redirecting keyboard input and output through the serial port. Any console-based feature or operating system can then be used to access the server. DR-DOS, Linux (init 3) and Windows Console (SAC) are examples of operating systems and consoles that can be used to access the server.

By default, some operating systems, such as Windows Server automatically configured to send text console output to the BIOS. Manual configuration of the Redirection after Boot feature through the system BIOS may not be visible to the operating system. This results in both, the operating system feature and the BIOS redirection feature, being enabled. Depending on the operating system and its setup, the results may vary. Dell recommends the following steps as good practice:

DR-DOS: Do not configure DR-DOS for serial console output. Enable console redirection after reboot in system BIOS.

Windows Special Administrative Console (SAC): Do not configure Windows SAC for serial console redirection. Enable console redirection after reboot in system BIOS.

Linux: Do not configure console redirection after rebooting the system BIOS. Do the tasks listed in the "Installation and Setup for Linux Operating Systems" section, to configure Linux for console redirection.

NOTE: See" Escape Key Sequences" for a list of keystrokes to be used for BIOS Setup

operations from a serial terminal.

Special Administrative

™

2003, are

Baseboard Management Controller Configuration

You can perform basic BMC configuration using the Remote Access Configuration Utility during system startup. See Figure 2-1. For more advanced configuration options, see the instructions for the DTK SYSCFG utility in the Deployment Toolkit User’s Guide.

Configuring Your Managed System 29

Figure 2-1. Remote Access Configuration Utility

Entering the Remote Access Configuration Utility

Turn on or restart your system.

Press <

If your operating system begins to load before you press < allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.

Ctrl-E

> when prompted after POST.

Crtl-E

Remote Access Configuration Utility Options

Table 2-1 lists the Remote Access Configuration Utility options and shows how to configure the BMC on a managed system. After entering all settings, press <Esc> and select one of the following:

•

Save Changes and Exit—

Configuration Utility.

•

Discard Changes and Exit

Configuration Utility.

•

Return to Setup

30 Configuring Your Managed System

—Continue using the Remote Access Configuration Utility.

Keep all entries made in the Remote Access

—Undo all entries made in the Remote Access

+ 126 hidden pages

Dell OpenManage Baseboard Management Controller User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Introduction

What’s New in BMC Management Utility 3.0

Supported Systems

BMC Configuration and Management Tasks

Configuring the BMC

Managing the System Using BMC

BMC Action on Event

Basic BMC Alerting Over a LAN

IPMI Shell Over a LAN

IPMI Shell Over the Serial Cable

SOL Proxy Over a LAN

BMC Configuration and Management Tools

Using the Remote Access Configuration Utility

Using Deployment Toolkit

Using the BMC Management Utility

Using Server Administrator

Other Dell Documents You May Need

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Configuring Your Managed System

BIOS Configuration

Configuring System BIOS in Dell PowerEdge™ x8xx/x9xx Systems

Configuring System BIOS in Dell PowerEdge™ x9xx and xx0x Systems

Using BIOS Console Redirection With SOL Proxy

Baseboard Management Controller Configuration

Entering the Remote Access Configuration Utility

Remote Access Configuration Utility Options