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OS Installation using iDRAC9 Web Interface using Remote File Share

This outlines the detailed steps to install an Operating System(OS) on a server using Dell’s iDRAC9 web interface using the Remote File Sharing method.

Prerequisites

  1. iDRAC Login Credentials: Ensure you have access to iDRAC9, incase you do not have the credentials, ask in the OPI Slack group.
  2. OS ISO File: The Operating System ISO image should be available on the Network or a Remote File System and be accessible to the iDRAC system. The current Ubuntu ISO we are using is available at: http://172.22.0.1/ubuntu-22.04.5-live-server-amd64.iso. Please see here to understand how the ISO file is hosted on the web server.
  3. VPN Access: Confirm you have a VPN connection to ensure, you can connect to the server's iDRAC interface.
  4. Supported Browsers: Use the latest version of a supported web browser for the best experience (e.g., Chrome).

Reference Documentation

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Access iDRAC9 Web Interface

  1. Connect to the F5 VPN.
  2. Open a web browser and enter the iDRAC IP address in the address bar. For example: https://<iDRAC_IP>.
  3. Log in using the iDRAC credentials.

Step 1 - Access iDRAC9

Step 2: Connect the Remote File Sharing to iDRAC

  1. Once you are successfully logged in to iDRAC console, Under configuration, go to Virtual Media.
  2. Scroll down to go to Remote File Share 1 or Remote File Share 2
  3. Under Remote File Share fill out the details regarding the ISO file, like its path/address, username, password, SSL certificate (only the address is mandatory, rest are dependednt on the File Sharing system setup)
  4. Once you have successfully filled out the parameters, click on connect and you will be able to see if iDRAC is able to connect or not.
  5. Incase iDRAC is not able to access the ISO file, it shows an error to enter the correct details.

Step 2.1 - Configuration / Virtual Media

Step 2.2 - Remote File Share

Step 2.3 - Remote File Share Success

Step 2.4 - Remote File Share Error

Step 3: Launch the Virtual Console

  1. From the iDRAC dashboard, navigate and launch the Virtual Console from the bottom right of the iDRAC dashboard and ensure you have the browser popups turned on.
  2. This will open a new window with the server's user interface, and a couple of controls.

Step 3 - Launch Virtual Console

Step 4: Configure Boot Settings

  1. In the Virtual Console window, select Boot from the top menu bar.
  2. Under the Boot Controls, set the virtual CD/DVD drive as the primary boot option. This ensures that the server boots from the mounted OS ISO.

Step 4 - Configure Boot Settings

Step 5: Reboot the Server

  1. In the Virtual Console window, select Power from the top menu bar.
  2. Select Reset System (warm reboot).
  3. Confirm the reboot by clicking OK.

Step 5 - Reboot the Server

Step 6: Boot into the OS Installer

  1. During the server boot, monitor the Virtual Console window.
  2. Once the server starts, it should boot into the mounted OS ISO and display the OS installation menu.

Step 6 - Boot into OS Installer

Step 7: Follow the OS Installation Steps

  1. Follow the on-screen prompts to proceed with the OS installation:

    • select all default options (unless otherwise noted below).
    • on disk setup: disable LVM.
    • on network setup: select DHCP for network settings.
    • on profile setup: use opi as the name, servername, username, and password for example purposes.
    • Donot install additional packages or software like Docker or databases.
    • on SSH setup: enable install OpenSSH server.

    Detailed steps are also available here.

  2. Once the OS is installed, remember to disconnect the network file share by going into the Virtual Media console as mentioned in Step 2 and under Remote File Share, click Disconnect.

  3. Reboot the System.

Step 7 - OS Installation Steps