Users Guide

Table Of Contents
Group Manager uses mDNS to discover other iDRACs on the network and sends encrypted packets for normal inventorying,
monitoring and management of the group using the link local IP address. Using IPv6 link local networking means that the Group
Manager ports and packets will never leave the local network or be accessible to external networks.
Ports (Specific to Group Manager unique functionality does not include all iDRAC ports) are:
5353 (mDNS)
443 (webserver) - configurable
5670 (Multicast group communication)
C000 -> F000 dynamically identifies one free port for each member to communicate in the group
Best networking practices
Groups are intended to be small and on the same physical link local network.
It is recommended to use the dedicated iDRAC network port for enhanced security. Shared LOM is also supported.
Additional network considerations
Two iDRACs that are separated by a router in the network topology are considered to be on separate local networks and cannot
be joined in the same iDRAC local group. Meaning, if the iDRAC is configured for dedicated NIC settings, the network cable
connected to iDRAC dedicated port in the rear of the server must be under a local network for all relevant servers.
If the iDRAC is configured for shared LOM network settings, the shared network connection used by both server host and
IDRAC need to be connected under a local network for Group Manager to detect and onboard those servers into a common
group. IDRACs configured with a mix of dedicated and shared LOM mode NIC settings could also be on-boarded into a common
group, if all the network connections do not pass through a router.
Effect of MLD snooping in VLAN environments on Group Manager
Discovery
Since Group Manager uses IPv6 multicast addressing for node-initiated discovery, a feature called MLD Snooping can prevent
Group Manager-enabled devices from discovering each other if not configured properly. MLD Snooping is a common ether
switch feature intended to reduce the amount of unnecessary IPv6 multicast traffic on a network.
If MLD Snooping is active in any network, ensure there is an MLD querier enabled so that the ether switches are kept up to
date with the active Group Manager devices on the network. Alternatively, if MLD Snooping is not needed, it can be disabled.
Note that some network switches have MLD Snooping enabled by default. And it is same for switching modules in the MX7000
chassis.
NOTE:
For example
To disable MLD snooping on a VLAN on a MX5108n IOM:
MX5108N-B1# configure terminal
MX5108N-B1(config)# interface vlan 194
MX5108N-B1(conf-if-vl-194)#no ipv6 mld snooping
To enable an MLD querier in a VLAN on the MX5108n IOM:
MX5108N-B1# configure terminal
MX5108N-B1(config)# interface vlan 194
MX5108N-B1(conf-if-vl-194)#ipv6 mld snooping querier
Manage Logins
Use this section to Add New User, Change User Password and Delete User from the Group.
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iDRAC 9 Group Manager