Dell Drac 5 User Guide

Using and Configuring Virtual Media201
VM-CLI Operating System Shell Options 
The following operating system features can be used in the VM-CLI 
command line:
• stderr/stdout redirection — Redirects any printed utility output to a file. 
For example, using the greater-than character (>) followed by a filename 
overwrites the specified file with the printed output of the VM-CLI utility. 
 NOTE: The VM-CLI utility does not read from standard input (stdin). As a result, 
stdin redirection is not required.
•...

202Using and Configuring Virtual Media
Deploying Your Operating System Using VM-CLI
The Virtual Media Command Line Interface (VM-CLI) utility is a 
command-line interface that provides Virtual Media features from the 
management station to the DRAC 5 in the remote system. Using VM-CLI 
and scripted methods, you can deploy your operating system on multiple 
remote systems in your network.
This section provides information on integrating the VM-CLI utility into 
your corporate network.
Before You Begin...

Using and Configuring Virtual Media203
Creating a Bootable Image File 
Before you deploy your image file to the remote systems, ensure that a 
supported system can boot from the file. To test the image file, transfer the 
image file to a test system using the DRAC 5 Web user interface and then 
reboot the system.
The following sections provide specific information for creating image files 
for Linux and Windows systems.
Creating an Image File for Linux Systems
Use the Data Duplicator utility to create a...

204Using and Configuring Virtual Media
When you create the image file, ensure that you:
• Follow standard network-based installation procedures
• Mark the deployment image as read only to ensure that each target 
system boots and executes the same deployment procedure
4Perform one of the following procedures:
• Integrate RACADM and the Virtual Media command line interface 
(VM-CLI) into your existing operating system deployment 
application. Use the sample deployment script as a guide when 
integrating...

Using and Configuring Virtual Media205
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes, I notice my Virtual Media client connection drops. Why?
When a network time-out occurs, the DRAC 5 firmware drops the 
connection, disconnecting the link between the server and the Virtual Drive. 
To reconnect to the Virtual Drive, use the Virtual Media feature.
Which operating systems support the DRAC 5?
See the Dell Systems Software Support Matrix on the Dell Support website at 
support.dell.com/manuals for a list of supported...

206Using and Configuring Virtual Media
Why can’t I install Windows 2000 locally or remotely?
This issue usually happens if Virtual Flash is enabled and does not contain a 
valid image, for example, the virtual flash contains a corrupted or random 
image, you may not be able to install Windows 2000 locally or remotely. To 
fix this issue, install a valid image on Virtual Flash or disable Virtual Flash if it 
will not be used during the installation procedure.
Why does the Virtual Media connection drop...

Using and Configuring Virtual Media207
What types of media can I boot from?
The DRAC 5 allows you to boot from the following bootable media:
• CDROM/DVD Data media
• ISO 9660 image 
• 1.44 Floppy disk or floppy image
• DRAC 5 embedded virtual flash
• A USB key that is recognized by the operating system as a removable disk
•A USB key image
How can I make my USB key bootable?
Only USB keys with Windows 98 DOS can boot from the Virtual Floppy. To 
configure your own bootable USB key, boot to a Windows 98...

208Using and Configuring Virtual Media
I cannot locate my Virtual Floppy device on a system running Red Hat 
Enterprise Linux or the SUSE Linux operating System. My Virtual Media is 
attached and I am connected to my remote floppy. What should I do?
Some Linux versions do not automount the Virtual Floppy Drive and the 
Virtual CD drive in a similar manner. In order to mount the Virtual Floppy 
Drive, locate the device node that Linux assigns to the Virtual Floppy Drive. 
Perform the following steps to...

Using and Configuring Virtual Media209
When I performed a firmware update remotely using the DRAC 5 Web-
based interface, my virtual drives at the server were removed. Why?
Firmware updates cause the DRAC 5 to reset, drop the remote connection, 
and unmount the virtual drives. The drives will reappear when the DRAC 
reset is complete.
When enabling or disabling the Virtual Flash, I noticed that all my virtual 
drives disappeared and then reappeared. Why?
Disabling or enabling the Virtual Flash causes a...

210Using and Configuring Virtual Media
To install the plug-in installation package:
1
Copy the installation package to the clients native file system share that is 
accessible by the client.
2Open an instance of the browser on the client system.
3Enter the file-path to the plug-in installation package in the browsers 
address bar. For example:
file:///tmp/rac5vm.xpi
4The browser guides the user through plug-in installation.
Once installed, the browser will not prompt for that plug-in installation again,...