gistfile1.txt

So I want to install an OS on my new Dell 2950. I specifically bought one with a Remote Access Controller so that I don't have to sit in the server room and swap out disks. This particular server is on an a trunk, so pxe is problematic, or normally I'd just netboot it.  So I log onto the server where I have racvmcli installed, and type:

newton# racvmcli -r 192.168.1.1 -u root -p calvin -c /opt/store/iso/esx-3.5.0-64607.iso
racvmcli: connecting(1)..
racvmcli: cannot authenticate user
racvmcli: disconnecting..

# this used to work...  So I test it on another host.

newton# racvmcli -r 192.168.1.2 -u root -p calvin -c /opt/store/iso/esx-3.5.0-64607.iso
racvmcli: connecting(1)..
..connected to 192.168.1.2
<ctrl-c>
racvmcli: disconnecting..
newton#


Ok so I'm not crazy. so I check the firmware revision on the hosts:

192.168.1.2:
    Remote Access Controller
    Attribute                Value
    Name                     DRAC 5
    Product Information      Dell Remote Access Controller 5
    Hardware Version         A00
    Firmware Version         1.32
    Firmware Updated         NA
    RAC Time                 Thu Jun 18 12:20:39 2009

192.168.1.1:
    Attribute                Value
    Name                     DRAC 5
    Product Information      Dell Remote Access Controller 5  
    Hardware Version         A04
    Firmware Version         1.45
    Firmware Updated         NA
    RAC Time                 Thu Jun 18 12:23:06 2009

And they’re differen’t hardware versions and firmware versions. Downgrading the firmware on the A04 DRAC5 to 1.32 doesn’t fix the problem.

So the problem follows the A04 Hardware? 


##############################################################################################
dell suggested a hard reset and to keep the firmware where it was so:

I pulled the power from the system for 30 seconds, reconnected it and then:

racvmcli -r192.168.1.1:443 -uroot -pcalvin -c/opt/store/iso/esx-3.5.0-64607.iso
racvmcli: connecting(1)..
racvmcli: cannot authenticate user
racvmcli: disconnecting..

I then ssh'ed to the rac as root/calvin and ran "racadm racreset hard",
    waited for it to come back and:

racvmcli -r192.168.1.1:443 -uroot -pcalvin -c/opt/store/iso/esx-3.5.0-64607.iso

racvmcli: connecting(1)..

racvmcli: cannot authenticate user
racvmcli: disconnecting..

The current firmware information is:
        RAC Information
        Name    DRAC 5
        Product Information     Dell Remote Access Controller 5
        Hardware Version        A04
        Firmware Version        1.45 (09.01.16)
        Firmware Updated        Thu Jun 18 14:20:12 2009
        RAC Time        Thu Jan 1 00:01:47 1970

##############################################################################################
Fumbling through the menus in the web-interface I found an option and then deterimined its 
config directive in the RAC. Here is the fix:

# if [ $(ssh [email protected] racadm getconfig -g cfgRacVirtual -o cfgVirMediaAttached) == 0 ];then 
    ssh [email protected] racadm config -g cfgRacVirtual -o cfgVirMediaAttached 1;
fi 
[email protected]'s password: 
[email protected]'s password: 
Object value modified successfully

racvmcli -r192.168.2.2:443 -uroot -pcalvin -c/opt/store/iso/esx-3.5.0-64607.iso

racvmcli: connecting(1)..
..connected to 192.168.2.2
[Ctrl-C]
racvmcli: disconnecting..


cool.