SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
Optimizing Console Redirection for Dell PowerEdge Servers Using HyperTerminal and Telnet Clients Dell™ PowerEdge™ servers allow system administrators to remotely control and configure key settings using a variety of interfaces. This article describes procedures to configure and operate HyperTerminal and Telnet clients to optimize the console redirection features available on Dell PowerEdge servers. BY PAUL HOKE
Related Categories: Baseboard management controller (BMC) Dell OpenManage Dell PowerEdge servers
C
onsole redirection—a key feature of Dell PowerEdge
configuration of the server, such as modifying BIOS set-
servers—allows administrators to monitor and
tings. The following steps explain how to obtain, install,
manage PowerEdge servers from a remote location by
and configure the proper components to perform suc-
redirecting keyboard input and display output through
cessful HyperTerminal-based console redirection of Dell
a serial connection. Various levels of console redirection
PowerEdge servers.
exist for graphics and text. The focus of this article is the
Step 1: Validate the HyperTerminal version on the
Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI)
remote text-based console redirection process for Dell
client. Administrators should ensure that the correct ver-
PowerEdge servers.
sion of HyperTerminal is installed. Although many of the
Microsoft Windows
Using console redirection, administrators can remotely
Remote management Systems management Visit www.dell.com/powersolutions for the complete category index.
Microsoft® Windows® operating systems provide a version
manage servers. Console redirection also helps eliminate
of HyperTerminal as a built-in accessory, that version may
the need for individual monitors and keyboards for each
not be the most current. Using an older HyperTerminal
server. This benefit is particularly useful in high-density
client may cause problems and prevent certain key fea-
computing installations, such as high-performance comput-
tures of console redirection from working as designed.
ing clusters, because administrators can monitor multiple
Dell recommends that administrators download
remote consoles from one location. This article explains the
HyperTerminal Private Edition (HTPE) version 6.3 or
procedures by which administrators can use HyperTerminal
later and install it on the client system that will host
and Telnet terminal emulation to enable console redirec-
HyperTerminal when using console redirection features
tion using a serial port connection and a Serial Over LAN
of Dell servers.1 The version of HyperTerminal being used
(SOL) connection.
can be displayed by going to Help>About HyperTerminal in the main program window of the HyperTerminal
Implementing console redirection using HyperTerminal over a serial connection
application.
The main purpose of text-based console redirection is to
HyperTerminal application for console redirection requires
allow administrators to perform remote preboot text-based
the connection of a null-modem serial cable between
Step 2: Connect the serial cable. Using the
1 For more information and to download the latest version of HTPE, visit www.hilgraeve.com/htpe.
www.dell.com/powersolutions
Reprinted from Dell Power Solutions, November 2005. Copyright © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
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SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
settings may be customized based on user preferences (such as baud rate), but “Redirection After Boot” must be enabled to connect to an available serial port. After verifying these settings, administrators can press the Esc key to exit and return to the main setup screen. Step 5: Verify the configuration of the COM port. Next, administrators should verify that the serial port on the server is configured to use the COM port by selecting “Integrated Devices” in the setup menu. The key field to configure on this menu is labeled “Serial Port 1.” Administrators should ensure that the serial port is configured to the COM port. Then, they can press the Esc key to return to the main setup screen. Pressing the Esc key again will prompt administrators to save the settings before exiting. Step 6: Power down the server. Administrators should power down the server. It should remain powered down until after HyperTerminal has been configured on the client. Step 7: Configure HyperTerminal on the client. After verify-
Figure 1. Server BIOS setup screen
ing that the client is running the current version of HyperTerminal, the server serial port and the serial port on the client running
administrators can start HyperTerminal. HyperTerminal should
HyperTerminal. COM1 is typically used for the serial connection,
prompt for a connection description, and administrators should
but individual client-server configurations can allow additional serial
supply a descriptive name for the connection. This procedure is
ports (for example, COM2).
required only once for each new connection. Administrators also
Step 3: Enter the server BIOS setup screen. The next step is to
should take the following steps:
configure the server BIOS to enable the console redirection feature. To do this, administrators should power up the server, and when the
1. Verify that the connection has been configured to use COM1.
BIOS power-on self-test (POST) messages appear on the screen, they
Select the appropriate COM port to match the serial port con-
should press the F2 key to enter the BIOS setup screen. A screen similar to that shown in Figure 1 should appear. Step 4: Enable console redirection. To verify that console redirec-
figuration. Click the OK button.
2. Configure the settings associated with the COM port. Verify that “Bits per second” matches the “Failsafe Baud Rate” value
tion is enabled, administrators should move the cursor down to “Con-
established in the server BIOS setup screen (see Figure 2).
sole Redirection” and press the Enter key. A screen similar to the one
Dell recommends that the other COM port settings be set
shown in Figure 2 should appear. Administrators should then ensure
similar to those shown in Figure 3.
that the settings are similar to those shown in Figure 2. Some of the
3. After completing the COM port setup, click the OK button. This action changes the display to the main HyperTerminal console screen. Step 8: Power up the server. Administrators should test the serial connection by powering up the server. As the server powers up and the POST screen displays, administrators should see the identical data through the HyperTerminal client as that shown on the server if everything has been
Figure 2. Console Redirection settings on the BIOS setup screen
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DELL POWER SOLUTIONS
configured correctly in
Figure 3. COM port settings
Reprinted from Dell Power Solutions, November 2005. Copyright © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
November 2005
SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
the Enter key to bring up the configuration menu. Next, they should verify the following settings: •
Console Redirection: Serial Port 1
•
Failsafe Baud Rate: 19200
•
Remote Terminal Type: VT100/VT220
•
Redirection After Boot: Enabled Pressing the Esc key twice restores the setup screen, saves
changes, and exits. Step 3: Configure IPMI/BMC settings for console redirection. While the server is powering up during POST, administrators should press Ctrl+E when the BMC configuration is displayed. This action brings up the Intelligent Platform Management Interface/baseboard management controller (IPMI/BMC) setup screen. Administrators Figure 4. BIOS serial port settings
should then ensure that “IPMI Over LAN” is set to “On.”
the previous steps. Administrators should now be able to view
should select “IPMI LAN Channel” and press the Enter key to
and configure the server through HyperTerminal in the pre-OS boot
bring up the configuration menu (see Figure 5). Administrators
environment.
should configure the IP address settings of the BMC NIC as desired
Step 4: Configure IPMI LAN settings. Next, administrators
Note: After the server video display changes to graphical mode
for the LAN. For illustrative purposes, the system displayed in
(that is, Windows), the server screen will no longer be viewable
Figure 5 uses a static IP address of 100.100.100.031 and a subnet
through HyperTerminal.
mask of 255.255.255.000. Another option is to use a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server if one exists on the subnet
Implementing console redirection using HyperTerminal and Telnet over an SOL connection
to which the NIC is connected. If using that option, administrators
Dell PowerEdge servers can be controlled remotely over a LAN
tors should then press the Esc key to return to the main screen.
should ensure that a DHCP server exists on the network. Administra-
connection with the same type of control as that of a direct, serial-
Step 5: Configure BMC user accounts. In the console redi-
based connection. An SOL interface essentially allows serial data
rection screen, administrators should select “User Configuration”
to be sent between a client and a server over an Ethernet net-
and verify the user settings: the administrator account should be
work. Administrators have a choice of methods—HyperTerminal
enabled; the administrator username should be “root”; and the
or Telnet—by which to create an SOL connection.
password should be “calvin.” These settings can be customized,
Configuring the server to use HyperTerminal with SOL The first prerequisite for using SOL for console redirection is to configure the server. Step 1: Configure serial port settings in the BIOS. Administrators should press the F2 key on the server keyboard during power-up to display the BIOS configuration menu. When the setup screen appears, they should select “Integrated Devices” on the BIOS configuration menu. Next, they should press the Enter key to display the configuration menu (see Figure 4). Administrators should then select “Serial Port 1” and press the spacebar to change the setting to “BMC NIC.” This setting enables the integrated network interface card (NIC) on the server to send serialized data between the client and server. Finally, administrators can press the Esc key to return to the main setup screen. Step 2: Configure console redirection settings. Administrators should select “Console Redirection” in the main screen and press www.dell.com/powersolutions
Figure 5. IPMI LAN configuration settings
Reprinted from Dell Power Solutions, November 2005. Copyright © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
DELL POWER SOLUTIONS
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SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
but this example uses the default settings. Administrators can then press Esc twice to return to the main screen, save the settings, and exit the IPMI/BMC configuration.
Installing the BMC SOL proxy component The BMC SOL proxy program is provided on the Dell OpenManage™ Systems Management CD that ships with Dell PowerEdge servers. When installation begins, an InstallShield wizard walks administrators through the setup process. The example scenario in this article assumes that the SOL proxy is installed on the same system that is used as the HyperTerminal client. Note: Administrators should verify that the NIC designated as “NIC1” on the server is connected to the same LAN as the system that hosts the SOL proxy. Only NIC1 is used for shared BMC-NIC connectivity. When the Select Components screen is displayed, administra-
Figure 7. HyperTerminal BMC Management Utility menu
tors can select “OSA SOL Manager” to install that component. They should use the default values for the SOL proxy port and session
Step 2: Set the IP address and port. When the host configura-
settings. After installation concludes, administrators must restart the
tion dialog box is displayed, administrators should set the host IP
system on which the SOL proxy component is installed.
address to match the IP address of the system on which the SOL proxy server is installed. The port should be set to 623.
Configuring the client to enable HyperTerminal console redirection over an SOL connection
the HyperTerminal connection is created, administrators can go to
After configuring the server and installing the SOL proxy, admin-
File>Properties to edit the connection properties. In the solproxy
istrators must configure the HyperTerminal client that will be used
Properties dialog box, administrators should ensure that the emula-
for console redirection.
tion setting matches that of the server—in this example, it would
Step 1: Create a new connection. Administrators should open HyperTerminal and create a new connection to be used for console redirection over the SOL connection. They should ensure that the
Step 3: Configure HyperTerminal connection properties. After
be set to VT100. In the ASCII Setup dialog box, administrators should ensure that the “Wrap lines that exceed terminal width” option is not selected.
“Connect using” setting is “TCP/IP (Winsock)” and not “COM1” (see Figure 6). After completing this step, administrators can click
Performing console redirection using HyperTerminal with SOL
the OK button.
After configuring the server, installing the SOL proxy, and configuring the HyperTerminal client, the SOL connection is ready for use. Step 1: Establish a HyperTerminal connection with the SOL proxy. When administrators bring up the connection that was created in the previous steps, the BMC Management Utility menu (see Figure 7) should appear if everything was configured correctly. Step 2: Verify SOL connection settings. It is often useful to validate SOL connection settings before attempting console redirection with the server. Selecting option 2 in the BMC Management Utility menu—“Configure the Serial-Over-LAN for the Remote Server”— prompts administrators for the server IP address, username, and password to use for the connection. The server IP address is the BMC-NIC IP address that was previously configured as described in Step 4 of the “Configuring the server to use HyperTerminal with SOL” section in this article. Administrators should verify that the baud rate matches the
Figure 6. Remote console connection settings
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expected baud rate—in this case, 19200. In addition, administrators Reprinted from Dell Power Solutions, November 2005. Copyright © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
November 2005
SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
should verify the minimum required user privileges. Because the administrator account (“root”) will be used to connect, the user privileges are sufficient. Finally, administrators can select “Cancel” to return to the main menu. Step 3: Activate console redirection and reboot the server. Administrators should select option 4—“Reboot and Activate Console Redirection”— from the BMC Management Utility menu (see Figure 7) to activate console redirection and reboot the server. After the server powers up, the text-based console redirection output should be displayed in the HyperTerminal window.
Configuring the client to enable Telnet console redirection over an SOL connection
Figure 8. Telnet BMC Management Utility menu
As with HyperTerminal, Telnet can also be used on the client for
a Telnet BMC Management Utility menu—similar to the one for
console redirection of the server.
the HyperTerminal client—is displayed (see Figure 8). It is often
Step 1: Configure the server and SOL proxy component.
useful to validate the settings with option 2, but it is not always
In preparing the Telnet client, administrators should ensure that
necessary. To activate console redirection, administrators should
the server is configured properly for SOL, that the SOL proxy is
select option 4, “Reboot and Activate Console Redirection.” After
installed, and that the proxy is available on the network to which
the server restarts, a screen showing server properties and console
the client is connected.
redirection options should appear in the Telnet client.
The steps for setting up a Telnet client are identical to those described in this article for setting up a HyperTerminal client
Centrally managing servers from a single client system
(see the “Configuring the client to enable HyperTerminal console
Administrators can manage Dell PowerEdge servers remotely over
redirection over an SOL connection” section in this article) with
a direct serial connection or an SOL connection. This feature lets
one exception: when configuring the Console Redirection settings,
system administrators configure servers remotely from a central
administrators should select “ANSI” for Remote Terminal Type
location using a single client system. Following proper configura-
instead of “VT100/VT220,” and verify that the baud rate is 19200.
tion, the server can host a text-based console redirection session
The Telnet client should then be ready for connection.
with its clients using HyperTerminal or Telnet interfaces.
Step 2: Use the Windows Telnet client for console redirection. On the client, administrators should open a Windows command prompt and connect to the proxy server over Telnet by entering the following command:
Paul Hoke is a software engineer for the Dell Enterprise Server Product Group. He has a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University.
C:\>telnet 100.100.100.1 623 F OR M ORE INF ORM ATION
The IP address specified is the address of the system on which the SOL proxy component is installed. The port specified is the port for which the SOL proxy is configured. In this case, the default port 623 is used for the connection. If a custom port was specified
Dell PowerEdge servers: www.dell.com/poweredge Dell OpenManage: www.dell.com/openmanage
during the SOL proxy installation, then that port number must be specified instead of the default port 623. Step 3: Configure and activate console redirection. After
HyperTerminal Private Edition: www.hilgraeve.com/htpe
a Telnet connection has been established with the SOL proxy,
www.dell.com/powersolutions
Reprinted from Dell Power Solutions, November 2005. Copyright © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
DELL POWER SOLUTIONS
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