NOTE: All keys do not work on the BIOS setup pages. Therefore, provide appropriate keyboard
shortcuts for <Ctrl> <Alt> <Delete> and others. The initial redirection screen displays the necessary
keyboard shortcuts.
Configuring the Managed Server BIOS for Serial Console Redirection
You can use a Remote Console session to connect to the managed system using the iDRAC web
interface (see the iDRAC User’s Guide on dell.com/support/manuals).
By default, the Serial communication in the BIOS is turned off. To redirect host text console data to Serial
over LAN, you must enable console redirection through COM1. To change the BIOS setting:
1. Turn on the managed server.
2. Press the <F2> key to enter the BIOS setup utility during POST.
3. Go to Serial Communication , and then press <Enter> . In the dialog box, the serial communication
list displays the following options:
•off
•on without console redirection
•on with console redirection via COM1
To navigate between these options, press the appropriate arrow keys.
NOTE: Make sure that the On with console redirection via COM1 option is selected.
4. Enable Redirection After Boot (default value is disabled). This option enables BIOS console
redirection across subsequent reboots.
5. Save the changes and exit.
The managed system restarts.
Configuring Windows for Serial Console Redirection
There is no configuration necessary for servers running the Microsoft Windows Server versions, starting
with Windows Server 2003. Windows receives information from the BIOS, and enable the Special
Administration Console (SAC) console one COM1.
Configuring Linux for Server Serial Console Redirection During Boot
The following steps are specific to the Linux GRand Unified Bootloader (GRUB). Similar changes are
necessary for using a different boot loader.
NOTE: When you configure the client VT100 emulation window, set the window or application that
is displaying the redirected console to 25 rows×80 columns to make sure proper text is displayed.
Else, some text screens will appear distorted.
Edit the /etc/grub.conf file as follows:
1. Locate the general setting sections in the file and type the following two new lines:
serial --unit=1 --speed=57600
terminal --timeout=10 serial
2. Append two options to the kernel line:
kernel console=ttyS1,57600
3. If the /etc/grub.conf contains a splashimage directive, comment it out.
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