Users Guide

To ensure security, it is recommended to use the following VMCLI parameters:
• vmcli -i — Enables an interactive method of starting VMCLI. It ensures that the user name and password are not visible
when processes are examined by other users.
• vmcli -r <iDRAC-IP-address[:iDRAC-SSL-port]> -S -u <iDRAC-user-name> -p <iDRAC-user-
password> -c {< device-name > | < image-file >} — Indicates whether the iDRAC CA certificate is valid. If the
certificate is not valid, a warning message is displayed when you run this command. However, the command is executed
successfully and a VMCLI session is established. For more information on VMCLI parameters, see the VMCLI Help or the VMCLI
Man pages.
Related links
VMCLI commands to access virtual media
VMCLI operating system shell options
VMCLI commands to access virtual media
The following table provides the VMCLI commands required for accessing different virtual media.
Table 38. VMCLI commands
Virtual Media Command
Floppy drive
vmcli -r [RAC IP or hostname] -u [iDRAC user
name] -p [iDRAC user password] -f [device
name]
Bootable floppy or USB key image
vmcli -r [iDRAC IP address] [iDRAC user name]
-p [iDRAC password] -f [floppy.img]
CD drive using -f option
vmcli -r [iDRAC IP address] -u [iDRAC user
name]
-p [iDRAC password] -f [device name]|[image
file]-f [cdrom - dev
]
Bootable CD/DVD image
vmcli -r [iDRAC IP address] -u [iDRAC user
name]
-p [iDRAC password] -c [DVD.img]
If the file is not write-protected, Virtual Media may write to the image file. To make sure that Virtual Media does not write to the
media:
• Configure the operating system to write-protect a floppy image file that must not be overwritten.
• Use the write-protection feature of the device.
When virtualizing read-only image files, multiple sessions can use the same image media simultaneously.
When virtualizing physical drives, only one session can access a given physical drive at a time.
VMCLI operating system shell options
VMCLI uses shell options to enable the following operating system features:
• 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 VMCLI utility.
NOTE: The VMCLI utility does not read from standard input (stdin). Hence, stdin redirection is not required.
• Background execution — By default, the VMCLI utility runs in the foreground. Use the operating system's command shell
features for the utility to run in the background.
For example, under a Linux operating system, the ampersand character (&) following the command causes the program to be
spawned as a new background process. This technique is useful in script programs, as it allows the script to proceed after a new
process is started for the VMCLI command (otherwise, the script blocks until the VMCLI program is terminated).
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