SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

the overall PowerEdge 1855 blade server change-management process. However, the frameworks that are used to update individual server blades do not scale to manage the updates of chassis components. This section describes how to update components in the PowerEdge 1855 blade server chassis that have administrator-upgradeable system software. These firmware components include:

Management modules

KVM modules

I/O modules

Administrators can update the PowerEdge 1855 blade server chassis module firmware using either the GUI or the CLI of the Dell Remote Access Controller/Modular Chassis (DRAC/MC). Both inter- faces require administrators to download the firmware image from a TFTP or an FTP server. The updated firmware image should be made available in a designated directory on the TFTP or FTP server. Note: The Dell Remote Access Controller/Modular Chassis User’s Guide provides specific instructions on how to set up the TFTP or FTP server for a firmware update at support.dell.com/support/ edocs/software/smdrac3/dracmc.

they should enter the TFTP IP address of the firmware image file name and start the DRAC/MC firmware update process by clicking “Update Firmware.”

To update the firmware using the CLI, administrators should enter the following Racadm command at the DRAC/MC console prompt:

DRAC/MC: racadm fwupdate -a TFTP_IP_ADDRESS -d mgmt.bin

where TFTP_IP_ADDRESS is the IP address of the TFTP server and mgmt.bin is the name of the firmware image file.

Note: This Racadm command can be entered at the DRAC/MC serial console or at a Telnet session. Best practices recommend using the serial console because, if a TFTP download fails, administra- tors will lose Web access and network connections such as Telnet. DRAC/MC will boot to the DRAC/MC firmware recovery console, which can be accessed only at the serial console. The firmware recovery console provides the following options:

Upgrade firmware from the serial port

Upgrade firmware from the network

Configure network parameters

Management module firmware updates

The DRAC/MC is the management module that allows administra- tors to monitor and manage chassis components in a Dell PowerEdge 1855 blade server. The PowerEdge 1855 blade server offers two dif- ferent configurations for management module firmware:

Single DRAC/MC

Redundant DRAC/MC

Single DRAC/MC firmware. DRAC/MC firmware can be upgraded using the GUI, CLI, or DRAC/MC firmware recovery console.2 The DRAC/MC firmware update is a TFTP-based update process. For all three DRAC/MC firmware update methods, adminis- trators must complete the following setup procedures before starting the firmware update process:

1.Set up a TFTP server and copy the firmware image to the root of the TFTP server.

2.Record the IP address of the TFTP server and the file name of the updated firmware image.

3.Log in to the DRAC/MC, using either the GUI or CLI.

To update the firmware using the GUI, administrators should navigate to the Update tab and select “Firmware Update.” Next,

Using the DRAC/MC firmware recovery console, administra- tors can restart the firmware update process either via serial port or the network.

Note: While in recovery mode, the DRAC/MC does not moni- tor chassis components of the PowerEdge 1855 blade server. For that reason, administrators should take extra care to minimize the amount of time that the DRAC/MC spends in recovery mode.

Redundant DRAC/MC firmware. In a redundant configuration, two separate DRAC/MC modules are installed in a chassis:

A primary DRAC/MC module, which actively monitors the chassis

A standby DRAC/MC module, which monitors the active signal from the primary DRAC/MC module (If a failure in the primary DRAC/MC module occurs for more than five sec- onds, the standby DRAC/MC module is designed to become the active, primary DRAC/MC module.)

The PowerEdge 1855 blade server supports redundant DRAC/MC mode if the DRAC/MC is running firmware version 1.1 or higher. Although redundant DRAC/MC modules can be updated with a single firmware package, the DRAC/MC goes through the following steps to complete the firmware update process once the administrator

2For more information about how to access the DRAC/MC GUI and the CLI (also known as the Racadm command-line utility), refer to the Dell Remote Access Controller/Modular Chassis User’s Guide at support.dell.com/support/ edocs/software/smdrac3/dracmc.

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DELL POWER SOLUTIONS

Reprinted from Dell Power Solutions, August 2005. Copyright © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved

August 2005

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Dell 1855 manual Management module firmware updates

1855 specifications

The Dell 1855 is a powerful, enterprise-grade blade server designed to meet the demands of modern data centers. It is part of Dell's PowerEdge series, known for its reliability, scalability, and efficiency. This server is built to help organizations optimize their data processing capabilities while maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing space.

One of the standout features of the Dell 1855 is its impressive density. Supporting multiple blade servers within a single chassis, it allows businesses to maximize their computing resources without requiring vast amounts of physical space. This allows organizations to manage their infrastructure costs more effectively, making it an ideal solution for companies with limited real estate.

The server is equipped with Intel Xeon processors, which are designed to provide robust performance for various workloads. With multiple cores and threads, these processors deliver exceptional processing power, enabling the Dell 1855 to handle demanding applications, including virtualization and database operations. The server supports different levels of memory capacity and speed, ensuring that customers can tailor their systems to match specific requirements.

In terms of storage, the Dell 1855 provides several options for both local and networked storage solutions. The server supports both SAS and SATA drives, allowing for significant flexibility in performance and capacity. With its built-in RAID controller options, customers can configure their storage to achieve high availability and data redundancy.

Networking capabilities are also a key feature of the Dell 1855. The server provides multiple integrated network interfaces, allowing for high-speed connectivity essential for both intra-rack and cross-rack communications. This is particularly important for businesses that require fast access to their data and applications.

Management of the Dell 1855 is simplified through its comprehensive management tools, which include Dell’s OpenManage software suite. This allows for streamlined monitoring and control over the server environment, giving IT administrators the ability to manage resources effectively, perform updates, and troubleshoot issues as they arise.

One of the notable characteristics of the Dell 1855 is its energy efficiency. Designed with power-saving technologies, it helps businesses reduce their carbon footprint while lowering operating costs. Its advanced cooling solutions ensure that energy consumption is optimized without sacrificing performance.

In summary, the Dell 1855 serves as an ideal solution for organizations seeking a powerful, scalable, and efficient blade server. Its robust performance, flexible storage options, comprehensive management tools, and energy-efficient design make it a top choice for businesses aiming to enhance their computing capabilities.