DRAC is not good, or am I doing something wrong?

[Massyn]

Hi all,

The DRAC cards are the biggest dissapointment for me in the line of Dell hardware. We are running critical systems on Dell servers, and we're expected to support systems in other countries, however, when a server dies, you have to rely on the DRAC card to get it back up... Well well well...

Problem no 1: I can't see what's on the screen. Hit the redirect button, and all stays blank.

Problem no 2: Do a system reset, power down, anything you like, this box is not responding.

Now do I solve the problem? Will loading the latest firmware (2.50) solve the problem? Has anyone else experienced this problem?

And my final question : any idea why there has to be a DRAC driver on the OS? I mean, seriously! If DRAC is supposed to give you remote system functionality, there shouldn't be anything tying it into the OS. What happens if the OS hangs? Will the DRAC hang as well?

Thansk for all your help!

 

[adpwl1]

The DRAC has had many problem in the past, but in the last year, they have really cleaned up their act. I would suggest loading the new firmware on the DRAC and seeing that that does. Also, as far as the screen redirect, that could be a video driver issue with your workstation. In the past that was the issue.

What servers are you trying this on?
What version of the OpenManage software are you using on both the server and workstation?

As far as a driver for the OS, the reason for this is for the OS screen redirections and some other stuff. If the OS hangs, the DRAC should not hand unless the complete system hangs, meaning the system board hangs for some reason.

 

[Guest_imported]

Be very careful upgrading the firmware - i killed a DRAC doing it. Was able to talk Dell into giving me a replacement even though it was out of warranty. I'm leaving this one alone

 

[icechill]

Hi, I recently got a DRAC II card, but windows 2000 doesn't recognise it, does this card need a driver or just firmware upgrade ? if it needs a driver, does anyone know where I can find one, I searched the internet with no luck.

 

[adpwl1]

Depending on how old this card is, it could require a firmware upgrade. I W2k Driver is required to get this card to function under W2k, otherwise you will see a '!' in the device manager for this card.

You should be able to find all this stuff under the server section of the Dell support site. I would look at an older server for the drivers, say a PE-2450.

 

[icechill]

Thx, I went there and found an updated firmware, but they just don't have any drivers for it, I looked at several servers but they only offer firmware for DRAC II cards, is there any other place where I can find the driver for win2000? also if someone has the driver, please let me know at ssuusstt@hotmail.com
Thanks

 

[icechill]

UPDATE: just found it, thanks

 

[icechill]

Now whne isntalling the software it says "SNMP key not found", I looked in services, but not such service as SNMP can be found, any ideas how to get the service ?

 

[adpwl1]

Good hunting on the firmware and driver. SNMP is required for the DRAC to function fully. As far as loading the service, I can't remember how or where, but it is with the networking services stuff.

 

[icechill]

I managed to get the card up and running, but now I need to find configuration software, I tried one provided by AMI on their website, but that one crashes while adding remote users(this happened on 2000 and XP Pro), so does anyone know of any other software for the DRAC II card ?

 

[FarOut]

icechill - I will contact our Dell Service/Technical Rep & see what is available for DRAC II. FarOut
V-Peace-V

 

[icechill]

Thanks

 

[FarOut]

Here is all I could find pertaining to the DRAC II and Win 2K, Win 2K Advanced Servers.


Dell Remote Assistant Card II (DRAC II), v. 2.4.1, A01
DRAC II Driver for Windows 2000 - Digitally Signed
File Name: drdrivr1.exe


Dell Remote Assistant Card II (DRAC II), v. 1.0 (bld_0005), A01
The Dell OpenManage Server Agent Sync Users Utility reads the user entries
from a Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant Card (DRAC) and copies the user
entries (both sername and password for each entry)
File name: winsync.exe


Dell Remote Assistant Card II (DRAC II), v. 2.5, A00
DRAC version 2.5 firmware
File Name: B9P92800.exe FarOut
V-Peace-V