DRAC
Encyclopedia
In computing
, the Dell Remote Access Controller or DRAC, an interface card
from Dell Inc, provides out-of-band management
facilities. The controller has its own processor, memory, network connection, and access to the system bus. Key features include power management, virtual media access and remote console capabilities, all available through a supported web browser
or command line interface. This gives system administrator
s the ability to configure a machine as if they were sitting at the local console (terminal
).
The DRAC interfaces with baseboard management controller (BMC) chips based on the Intelligent Platform Management Interface
(IPMI) 2.0 standard, which allows use of IPMI out-of-band interfaces such as IPMI Over LAN .
plug-in (depending on the model), which displays a window showing the video output on the local terminal and which takes mouse and keyboard input. This behavior closely resembles that of other remote access solutions such as VNC or RDP
. It is used to take the server console remotely.
, a task which traditionally required local console
access to the physical machine. Administrators can control virtual media through the browser or through the OpenManage
tools provided by Dell, though specific versions of browsers restrict some functionality.
and Busybox
. The firmware source code is available on the Dell website however it is not possible to compile the source into a replacement firmware as Dell does not include a build environment.
The DRAC provides remote access to the system console (keyboard and screen) allowing the system BIOS to be accessed over the Internet when the server is rebooted. This is done by configuring the system BIOS to send its output to a serial port (as a stream of text using VT100-compatible control codes.) The chosen serial port is then redirected to the DRAC's serial port. Users can then log in to the DRAC via SSH and run a command to connect the SSH session to the serial port, thus allowing the console to be accessed over the Internet.
Earlier versions of the DRAC used ActiveX to provide a remote-console interface in a web browser, however this was unpopular with non-Windows users who could not install the software. The latest revision of the DRAC6 uses a Java application instead (launched from within the browser), however both the DRAC5 and iDRAC6 also provided the aforementioned platform-independent SSH access.
• iDRAC6 offers three upgrades: iDRAC6 Express, iDRAC6 Enterprise, and VFlash Media
• iDRAC6 offers power budgeting
• iDRAC6 Enterprise’s virtual console and virtual media features are now integrated into a single plug-in
• iDRAC6 Enterprise’s virtual console now allows two users to collaborate on the same server
• iDRAC6 now allows customers to view what is on the server LCD without a server-side visit
• iDRAC6 Express (which integrates a host of features previously charged for in DRAC5) is now a standard offering on Dell’s enterprise-class servers. Certain features are not available for the Express version, including the Remote Console functionality.
• As with iDRAC, iDRAC6 Enterprise is a standard offering on blade servers
• iDRAC6 supports IPv6
On a Linux client system the arrow and print screen keys can't be used in the iDRAC6 Java virtual console application because of some incompatible key event IDs.
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
, the Dell Remote Access Controller or DRAC, an interface card
Expansion card
The expansion card in computing is a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion slot of a computer motherboard or backplane to add functionality to a computer system via the expansion bus.One edge of the expansion card holds the contacts that fit exactly into the slot...
from Dell Inc, provides out-of-band management
Out-of-band management
In computing, out-of-band management involves the use of a dedicated management channel for device maintenance...
facilities. The controller has its own processor, memory, network connection, and access to the system bus. Key features include power management, virtual media access and remote console capabilities, all available through a supported web browser
Web browser
A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
or command line interface. This gives system administrator
System administrator
A system administrator, IT systems administrator, systems administrator, or sysadmin is a person employed to maintain and operate a computer system and/or network...
s the ability to configure a machine as if they were sitting at the local console (terminal
Computer terminal
A computer terminal is an electronic or electromechanical hardware device that is used for entering data into, and displaying data from, a computer or a computing system...
).
The DRAC interfaces with baseboard management controller (BMC) chips based on the Intelligent Platform Management Interface
Intelligent Platform Management Interface
The Intelligent Platform Management Interface is a standardizedcomputer system interface used by system administrators to manage a computer system and monitor its operation....
(IPMI) 2.0 standard, which allows use of IPMI out-of-band interfaces such as IPMI Over LAN .
Versions
- DRAC II - Dell Remote Assistant Card
- DRAC III - Dell Remote Access Card
- DRAC 4 - Dell Remote Access Card
- DRAC 5 - Dell Remote Access Card
- iDRAC 6 embedded BMC - Integrated in all enterprise class servers
- iDRAC 6 express - Integrated Dell Remote Access Card (free from mid range (R610) with very limited functions)
- iDRAC 6 enterprise - Integrated Dell Remote Access Card
Power management
With the DRAC enabled and using its own separate network connection, a user may login and reboot the system even if the core operating system has crashed. If the operating system has loaded the correct drivers, the DRAC will attempt to shutdown the system gracefully. Without this feature and with the system running, administrators can use the remote console to access the operating system to shut down the machine....Remote console
The remote console features of the DRAC allow an administrator to interface with the computer as if sitting in front of it, and one can share the local inputs from keyboard and mouse as well as video output (DRAC does not support remote sound). Remote-console capability relies on an Active X or JavaJava (Sun)
Java refers to several computer software products and specifications from Sun Microsystems, a subsidiary of Oracle Corporation, that together provide a system for developing application software and deploying it in a cross-platform environment...
plug-in (depending on the model), which displays a window showing the video output on the local terminal and which takes mouse and keyboard input. This behavior closely resembles that of other remote access solutions such as VNC or RDP
Remote Desktop Protocol
Remote Desktop Protocol is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft, which provides a user with a graphical interface to another computer. The protocol is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 application sharing protocol. Clients exist for most versions of Microsoft Windows , Linux, Unix, Mac OS...
. It is used to take the server console remotely.
Virtual media
The DRAC enables a user to mount remotely-shared disk-images as if they were connected to the system. In combination with the remote console, this gives administrators the ability to completely re-install an operating systemOperating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
, a task which traditionally required local console
System console
The system console, root console or simply console is the text entry and display device for system administration messages, particularly those from the BIOS or boot loader, the kernel, from the init system and from the system logger...
access to the physical machine. Administrators can control virtual media through the browser or through the OpenManage
OpenManage
OpenManage, a Dell, Inc. product, consists of a number of network management and systems management applications.-OpenManage Applications: is a set of systems management applications built using industry standard protocols and specifications...
tools provided by Dell, though specific versions of browsers restrict some functionality.
Access
The main DRAC management takes place via a web interface. All generations of the DRAC use the default user nameroot and the default password calvin. Starting with the DRAC 3, Microsoft Active Directory can also provide authentication either with Dell AD Schema Extensions or Standard Schema.Implementation
The DRAC5 and iDRAC6 are embedded platforms running LinuxLinux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
and Busybox
BusyBox
BusyBox provides several stripped-down Unix tools in a single executable. It runs in a variety of POSIX environments such as Linux, Android, FreeBSD and others, such as proprietary kernels, although many of the tools it provides are designed to work with interfaces provided by the Linux kernel. It...
. The firmware source code is available on the Dell website however it is not possible to compile the source into a replacement firmware as Dell does not include a build environment.
The DRAC provides remote access to the system console (keyboard and screen) allowing the system BIOS to be accessed over the Internet when the server is rebooted. This is done by configuring the system BIOS to send its output to a serial port (as a stream of text using VT100-compatible control codes.) The chosen serial port is then redirected to the DRAC's serial port. Users can then log in to the DRAC via SSH and run a command to connect the SSH session to the serial port, thus allowing the console to be accessed over the Internet.
Earlier versions of the DRAC used ActiveX to provide a remote-console interface in a web browser, however this was unpopular with non-Windows users who could not install the software. The latest revision of the DRAC6 uses a Java application instead (launched from within the browser), however both the DRAC5 and iDRAC6 also provided the aforementioned platform-independent SSH access.
iDRAC6 Details
iDRAC6 is available in two levels: iDRAC6 Express and iDRAC6 Enterprise.• iDRAC6 offers three upgrades: iDRAC6 Express, iDRAC6 Enterprise, and VFlash Media
• iDRAC6 offers power budgeting
• iDRAC6 Enterprise’s virtual console and virtual media features are now integrated into a single plug-in
• iDRAC6 Enterprise’s virtual console now allows two users to collaborate on the same server
• iDRAC6 now allows customers to view what is on the server LCD without a server-side visit
• iDRAC6 Express (which integrates a host of features previously charged for in DRAC5) is now a standard offering on Dell’s enterprise-class servers. Certain features are not available for the Express version, including the Remote Console functionality.
• As with iDRAC, iDRAC6 Enterprise is a standard offering on blade servers
• iDRAC6 supports IPv6
Limitations
To take advantage of storage greater than 256 MB on the iDRAC6 enterprise, Dell requires that a vFlash SD card be procured through Dell channels. While there is no functional difference between a Dell-branded vFlash SD and a class 2 or greater SDHC card, the use of non-Dell media prevents the use of extended capacities and functions.On a Linux client system the arrow and print screen keys can't be used in the iDRAC6 Java virtual console application because of some incompatible key event IDs.
External links
- Dell Remote Access Controller 6 (iDRAC 6)
- Dell Remote Access Controller 5 (DRAC 5) Version 1.20
- DRAC II/III product info from DellDellDell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
- Dell Remote Access Controller User Guides
- Managing out-of-band management in InfoworldInfoWorldInfoWorld is an information technology online media and events business operating under the umbrella of InfoWorld Media Group, a division of IDG...
- Dell DRAC 5 Remote SSH Console Redirection
- Dell DRAC Password Management Software by Lieberman Software Corporation