Users Guide

How to set up Auto Dedicated NIC feature

The Auto Dedicated NIC feature provides the option to automatically reroute the iDRAC management traffic for the scenarios such as

connecting a crash cart or reconfiguring network cables. When this feature is enabled, iDRAC automatically and dynamically detects a

system's network mode. It senses the system's network cable configuration and checks if a cable is connected to the system's dedicated

NIC port.

This feature was made available with iDRAC7 starting with the firmware version 1.30.30 with an Enterprise license. For the Dell

PowerEdge rack and tower servers of 600 series and above, the dedicated NIC port is standard on the system, but requires an iDRAC7

Enterprise license to enable the port. Dell PowerEdge rack and tower servers of series 500 and below comes with an add-in card if

ordered with an Enterprise license at the point-of-sale. If an Enterprise license is purchased later than point-of-sale, the add-in card must

also be purchased to have the dedicated NIC port.

NOTE: This feature is not available on blade servers.

Enable the Auto Dedicated NIC feature using iDRAC web interface:

• Log on to the iDRAC7 web interface.

NOTE: The system must have a valid Enterprise license.

• Click Overview, select iDRAC Setting, and then select Network.

• In the Network Settings section, select the Auto Dedicated NIC.

NOTE: Auto Dedicated NIC is disabled by default, this check box is no selected when you first log in to iDRAC7.

NOTE: For the Dell PowerEdge blade servers, the NIC Selection field is always set at Dedicated which means that Auto

Dedicated NIC is always disabled and not supported. Auto Dedicated NIC is supported on the Dell PowerEdge tower and

rack servers only. A new read-only field Active NIC Interface displays the currently active network interface on the

iDRAC7 web interface.

For more information about Auto dedicated NIC feature, see En.community.dell.com/techcenter/extras/m/white_papers/

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How to configure network settings using Lifecycle

Controller

About this task

To configure network settings using Lifecycle Controller:

Steps

1. Launch the Lifecycle Controller.

2. On the left pane, click Settings.

3. On the Settings pane, click Network Settings.

4. From the NIC Card drop-down menu, select the NIC port that you want to configure.

NOTE: You can use only one NIC at a time to communicate with the network.

5. From the IPV4 Network Settings→ IP Address Source drop-down menu, select one of the following options:

• No Configuration—indicates that the NIC must not be configured.

• DHCP—indicates that the NIC must be configured using an IP address from a DHCP server. If DHCP is selected, a DHCP IP

address is displayed on the Network Settings page.

• Static IP—indicates that the NIC must be configured using a static IP. Type the IP Address Properties—IP Address, Subnet

Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Address. If you do not have this information, contact your network administrator.

6. From the IPV6 Network Settings→ IP Address Source drop-down menu, select one of the following options:

• No Configuration—indicates that the NIC must not be configured.

• DHCPv6—indicates that the NIC must be configured using an IP address from a DHCPv6 server. If DHCPv6 is selected, a

DHCPv6 IP address is displayed on the Network Settings page.

Server management software issues