The Lights Out Management (LOM) technology is a remote server management feature that allows system administrators to remotely manage and erase servers even when they are offline or unresponsive. The LOM technology is offered by various server manufacturers like iDRAC (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller) from Dell, iLO (Integrated Lights-Out) from HPE, IMM (Integrated Management Module) from IBM, and more.
For this KB we will be erasing the Dell PowerEdge R620 server using the iDRAC feature. (Refer to Image 1)
Image 1: Dell PowerEdge R620 Server Source: Dell
How to Remotely Erase Dell PowerEdge R620 Server With BitRaser Using iDRAC?
For ease of understanding while performing the erasure of the Dell server we have defined stages that comprise of steps which must be performed for remotely erasing the Dell server.
Note: This process requires an internet connection. You must first download the BitRaser ISO file from your BitRaser Cloud Account. The login credentials were delivered to you electronically when you purchased BitRaser Drive Eraser software. The ISO file will be used for booting the Dell server with BitRaser and then to remotely erase data using the iDRAC feature.
We have divided the KB into 3 stages for ease of understanding:
Stage 1: Connect to Dell Server Using iDRAC
Step 1.1: Enter the IP address of the Dell PowerEdge R620 server in your browser. Enter the ‘Username’ and ‘Password’ that was used when setting up the Dell server and click ‘Submit’. (Refer to Image 2)
Image 2: Enter the IP Address of the Dell PowerEdge Server and enter Login Credentials then Click Submit
Step 1.2: Once the credentials are verified, you will have access to the iDRAC 7 console. (Refer to Image 3)
Now, on the left-hand side, under ‘Overview’ click on ‘Server’ then click on ‘Virtual Console’ and then click on ‘Launch Virtual Console’.
Upon clicking ‘Launch Virtual Console’, a Java Network Launch Protocol (JNLP) file named 'viewer.jnlp' will be automatically downloaded to your designated download folder. (Refer to Image 4)
Image 3: Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 7 Main Interface
Image 4: Select Virtual Console under Server and click Launch Virtual Console
Step 1.3: Go to your Download folder and open the viewer.jnlp file, a ‘Security Warning’ Windows pops up asking you, “Do you want to Continue?” Click on ‘Continue’. (Refer to Image 5)
Image 5: Security Warning Window Click on Continue
The JAVA application gets downloaded on the system. Once it gets downloaded a Window pops up, “Do you want to run this application?” Click on ‘Run’. (Refer to Image 6)
In case your Server certification is invalid you will see another warning window saying “Certification has expired”. Click on ‘Run’. (Refer to Image 7)
Image 6: Click on Run
Image 7: Certification Expiry Windows Click Run
Now you are connected with the Dell Server via iDRAC.
Step 2.1: A new window will pop up. In case your server is offline, “No Signal” will be displayed.
From the top menu, select 'Virtual Media' and click on 'Connect Virtual Media' (Refer to Image 8).
Image 8: Dell PowerEdge Server OFF Screen No Signal Select Virtual Media
Now, select the ‘Map CD/DVD’ option from ‘Virtual Media’ and then select the ‘BitRaser ISO File’ from your downloads folder. (Refer to Image 9)
Note: This action is crucial as it allows you to choose the BitRaser ISO file and mount it as a Virtual Media to remotely erase Dell servers using the iDRAC feature.
Image 9: Select BitRaser ISO and Click on Map Device
Step 2.2: Now click the ‘Next Boot’ option from the top menu and select ‘Virtual CD/DVD/ISO’. (Refer to Image 10)
Note: Selecting this option will enable the server to boot/reboot using the BitRaser ISO.
Image 10: From the Next Boot option in the Menu Select Virtual CD/DVD/ISO
A “Next Boot” window pops up, informing that the selected boot option will be used until changed. Click ‘OK’. (Refer to Image 11)
Image 11: Next Boot Device Selected Windows Click OK
Step 2.3: Now select the ‘Power’ option from the menu and click on ‘Power On System’ to start your server. If your server was already on, you can restart your system to boot the Dell server using BitRaser ISO. (Refer to Image 12)
A “Power Control” window pops up; click on ‘Yes’. (Refer to Image 13)
Image 12: Choose Power On from the Power option
Image 13: Power Control Pop-Up Click Yes
Now, your Dell server will boot with BitRaser Drive Eraser.
BitRaser Drive Eraser supports RAID Dismantling on LSI & Adaptec RAID Controllers and select models of Dell PERC.
Here, BitRaser supports RAID Dismantling of the Dell PERC H-710 Mini RAID Controller being used in this server. So, the BitRaser main screen lists each connected physical drive separately. (Refer to Image 14)
Image 14: BitRaser Drive Eraser Main Screen All Drives Listed
Important: If the RAID Controller being used is not supported by BitRaser you will have to dismantle the RAID configuration manually.
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