Dell servers offered by Leaseweb include access to the iDRAC Remote Management console. One of the features of iDRAC is the Virtual Console and Virtual Media components. Virtual Media allows customers to attach .ISO images to their servers, as if they were physically connected to the server. Attaching an .ISO to your system can be useful for installing tools, booting into a live Operating System, or installing a new Operating System. Below are the steps for mounting an .ISO and booting to it with an Dell iDRAC 9 IPMI.
Information
To access your iDRAC IPMI, you will need to first connect to the Leaseweb Remote Management VPN, following the instructions here.
You can then login to your IPMI by referencing the passwords found in these instructions here.
- Once logged in to iDRAC 9 using the above instructions, you should see the iDRAC 9 Dashboard. In the Dashboard, locate and click on the Virtual Console Preview Window or the Start the Virtual Console button to launch the Virtual Console window.
- The Virtual Console should open in a separate window and you should see your server’s Virtual Console screen.
Warning
Disable Pop-up Blockers
Please note that you will need to disable any pop-up blockers on your browser for this site, as they may not allow the Virtual Console Window to open. Please refer to your browser’s documentation for more information on how to achieve this.
- On the Virtual console Window, click on Connect Virtual Media.
- Virtual Media is now connected. On the Virtual Media menu, click on the Choose File button, under the Map CD/DVD section.
Information
The Map CD/DVD option will only work with a .ISO file. The .ISO file needs to be a bootable image for the server to boot correctly. The Map Removable Disk option will only work with a .IMG file. The .IMG file needs to be a bootable image for server to boot correctly.
- Once you have selected the .ISO file, click on the Map Device button, under the Map CD/DVD section.
- With the .ISO file now mapped, you can close the Virtual Media menu.
- On the Virtual Console window, click on the Boot button to access the Boot menu.
- On the Boot menu, select Virtual CD/DVD/ISO. Then click Yes on the Confirm Boot Action dialog window.
- On the Virtual Console window, click on the Power button.
- Select Reset system (warm boot) on the Power Controls menu, and click Yes in the Confirm Power Action dialog window.
- After the server has finished the POST process, it should boot into the .ISO image you selected in step 4.
