This readme file contains updated information for your
"Dell(TM) Remote Assistant Card Version 2.0 Software and
Information Update" and the technical documentation provided
with this product.
Refer to the Dell World Wide Web site (http://www.dell.com)
for current information.
The following sections contain updated requirements and
open issues for the Dell Remote Assistant Card
version 2.0 (DRAC 2).
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DELL REMOTE ASSISTANT CARD VERSION 2.0
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REQUIREMENTS
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Supported systems: Dell PowerEdge(TM) 1300, 2300, 4300,
6300
Version: 2.0
Release date: December 1998
Operating systems: Microsoft® Windows NT® 4.0 with Service
Pack 3 or later (for clusters, the
management station and the managed node
must have the same Service Pack)
Novell® NetWare® 4.11 with Support Pack 5
or later
Novell NetWare 5.0 (text-mode
redirection only)
Your Dell PowerEdge system requires the following basic
input/output system (BIOS) revision and, where noted,
embedded server management (ESM) firmware revision to run
the Dell OpenManage(TM) Hardware Instrumentation Package
(HIP) version 3.4:
PowerEdge 1300: BIOS A02 or later; ESM is not supported
PowerEdge 2300: BIOS A05 or later; ESM 3.14 or later
PowerEdge 4300: BIOS A02 or later; ESM 3.18 or later
PowerEdge 6300: BIOS A03 or later; ESM 3.17 or later
Check your system's BIOS or ESM firmware version level during
the boot routine. If the version is not at the required level,
you must update it to the correct version. Flash BIOS and
system management firmware revisions and update instructions
are available for all Dell PowerEdge systems on the Dell
World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com/support.
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OPEN ISSUES
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Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant Console Redirection With
Windows NT
When you use the Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant to perform
console redirection of a system running the Windows NT Server
operating system, you may notice a delay when you change
from text to graphics mode while the remote server is booting.
This delay occurs because the redirection service must be
initialized on the remote-managed server before you can view
graphics. Similarly, if the remote server is already in
graphics mode, the first few graphics screens may take longer
to display while the screen transfer process is initializing.
In addition, the mouse does not operate from the remote console
at the Windows NT Security and Login Information windows. This
limitation is due to a Windows NT security feature that does
not permit mouse playback in those windows. Use your keyboard
to navigate the options on those windows.
Full-screen MS-DOS® mode is not recommended because the console
redirection feature may not work properly in systems using
accelerated graphics port (AGP)-based video, such as the Dell
PowerEdge 2300 or 1300 systems. If you experience a problem
after you press <Alt><Enter> to go into full-screen mode in
an MS-DOS prompt window, press <Alt><Enter> again to undo the
full screen.
======================================================================
Multiple Sessions in Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant
The Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant console can support more
than one session at a time, using the network connection.
If you are using the modem connection and you have more than
one modem configured for Remote Access Service (RAS), the
console can support more than one session with the following
limitations:
* You must configure dial-up networking with the Use another port
if busy check box selected for drac-ppp under Edit Phonebook
Entry-> Basic.
NOTE: With this configuration, you cannot use the callback
feature on the DRAC 2, because the phone number
depends on which modem you are dialing from.
* If your DRAC 2-equipped systems are on a network where
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is unavailable,
default Internet Protocol (IP) address 128.0.0.1 is used.
This causes an IP address conflict if you run two simultaneous
modem sessions in the same console.
Also, the DRAC 2-equipped systems cannot support simultaneous
active sessions from remote consoles on both the modem and network
interfaces.
======================================================================
Test Pager Feature in Dell OpenManage Server Console
When you are configuring users for DRAC 2 remote access under the
Security tab of the server console, a test pager feature sends out
a generic message followed by the user’s customized pager string.
For example, with an alphanumeric pager, if the user enters
Server #4 as the customized pager string, the test pager feature
sends out the message Test Page from DRAC: Server #4. Similarly,
with a numeric pager, if the user enters 911 as the customized
pager string, the test pager feature sends out 100200911.
======================================================================
Time Differential Within the Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant
Event Logs
Depending on where you are located, a time difference may exist
between the DRAC 2 event log time stamp and the ESM event log time
stamp. This inconsistency will be corrected in a future release.
NOTE: ESM is not supported on PowerEdge 1300 systems.
======================================================================
Event Logs and POST Codes in Dell Remote Assistant
When accessing ESM event logs and power-on self-test (POST)
codes, the Dell Remote Assistant console application program
may experience a delay in displaying information because it
is busy processing another task. When this delay happens, wait
approximately 15 seconds and then refresh the display by
clicking Refresh for the POST codes, or uncheck and then
recheck the ESM Events check box in the Event Log tab.
NOTE: ESM is not supported on PowerEdge 1300 systems.
======================================================================
Num Lock and Console Redirection
When you use the console redirection feature on the Dell Remote
Assistant, the Num Lock keys on the local and remote keyboards
can be out of synchronization. If you attempt to use the numeric
keypad on the remote console and it does not seem to function
properly, switch the state of the Num Lock key. The numeric
keypad should then work properly on the remote console.
======================================================================
Deletion of DRAC Users on a Software Upgrade of a Dell Managed
Node
If you upgrade or reinstall the Dell OpenManage HIP software
on a Dell managed node with the DRAC 2, the users with
out-of-band access are deleted. You need to add the users
again under the Security tab of the server console.
======================================================================
UDP Port Information
Network administrators should note that the DRAC 2 incorporates
User Datagram Protocol (UDP) in establishing a remote connection
over the local area network (LAN). The DRAC 2 uses port 5001; the
management station uses ports 5002 and 5005.
======================================================================
Removing a DRAC 2 From a Server
Removing a DRAC 2 from a host server requires an orderly sequence
of steps. The DRAC 2 is backed up by the battery and remains active
after the host server is turned off; however, the DRAC 2 has
protection circuitry that disconnects the battery whenever the card
is removed from the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
bus connector.
NOTE: The DRAC 2 monitors the power state of the host server.
When the host is turned off, the DRAC 2 saves data to its
nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). This process can
take up to 15 seconds to complete. If the DRAC 2 is removed
before it finishes updating its NVRAM, the NVRAM can become
corrupted and cause the DRAC 2 to lose data and revert back
to its factory default configuration.
To remove the DRAC 2 from a system, perform the following steps.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to service the computer system
yourself, except as explained in your Dell documentation.
Always follow installation and service instructions closely.
CAUTION: To help avoid possible damage to the system board,
wait 5 seconds after turning off the system before removing
a component from the system board or disconnecting a
peripheral device from the computer.
1. Turn off the computer and any peripherals.
2. Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface
on the chassis, such as the metal around the card-slot
openings at the back of the computer, before touching
anything inside your computer.
While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal
surface on the chassis to dissipate any static electricity
that might harm internal components.
3. Disconnect your computer and peripherals from their power
sources. Be sure to remove the external power adapter for
the DRAC 2 from its AC power source. Also disconnect any
telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or
shock.
4. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions
in your Dell PowerEdge system's "Installation and
Troubleshooting Guide."
5. Wait 30 seconds; then remove the DRAC 2 from the system.
======================================================================
Configuring the PowerEdge 1300 Server for DRAC 2
A PowerEdge 1300 system equipped with a DRAC 2 must be configured
using the DRAC 2 PowerEdge 1300 support diskette.
Refer to the documentation supplied with your PowerEdge 1300 system
or DRAC 2 customer kit for installation and configuration details.
======================================================================
Location of Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant Event Logs
Alert events logged by the Dell Remote Assistant Server are
logged into the Windows NT Application log on the management
station where the Dell Remote Assistant Server service is
running.
======================================================================
Console Program Connections to Certain Dell PowerEdge Servers
When configuring the Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant console
application program to communicate with Dell PowerEdge servers 2100,
2200, 4100, and 4200 equipped with the Dell Remote Assistant Card
(DRAC), set the baud rate to 9600.
======================================================================
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
(C) 1998-1999 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
Trademarks used in this text: "Dell," "PowerEdge," and
"Dell OpenManage," are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation;
"Microsoft," "MS-DOS," and "Windows NT" are registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation; "Novell" and "NetWare" are registered
trademarks of Novell, Inc.
This software and documentation are based in part on OpenView
under license from Hewlett-Packard Company.
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 Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary
interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
December 1998
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.