Dell Drac 5 User Guide

							Using GUI Console Redirection161
10
Using GUI Console Redirection
This section provides information about using the DRAC 5 console 
redirection feature.
Overview
The DRAC 5 console redirection feature enables you to access the local 
console remotely in either graphic or text mode. Using console redirection, 
you can control one or more DRAC 5-enabled systems from one location.
Today with the power of networking and the Internet, you do not have to sit 
in front of each server to perform all the routine maintenance. You can 
manage the servers from another city or even from the other side of the world 
from your desktop or laptop computer. You can also share the information 
with others— remotely and instantly. 
Using Console Redirection
 NOTE: When you open a console redirection session, the managed system does 
not indicate that the console has been redirected. 
The Console Redirection page enables you to manage the remote system by 
using the keyboard, video, and mouse on your local management station to 
control the corresponding devices on a remote managed system. This feature 
can be used in conjunction with the Virtual Media feature to perform remote 
software installations. 
The following rules apply to a console redirection session:
• Only four simultaneous console redirection sessions are supported.
• Console redirection sessions can only be connected to one remote target 
system. 
• You cannot configure a console redirection session on the local system.
• A minimum available network bandwidth of 1 MB/sec is required. 
						

							162Using GUI Console Redirection
Supported Screen Resolutions Refresh Rates on the Managed System
Table 10-1 lists the supported screen resolutions and corresponding refresh 
rates for a console redirection session that is running on the managed system.
Configuring Your Management Station
To use Console Redirection on your management station, perform the 
following procedures:
1
Install and configure a supported Web browser. For a list of supported 
Web browsers, see the 
Dell Systems Software Support Matrix on the Dell 
Support website at 
support.dell.com/manuals.
 CAUTION: Console Redirection and Virtual Media only support 32-bit Web 
browsers. Using 64-bit Web browsers may generate unexpected results or failure 
of operations.
– Configuring a Supported Web Browser on page 43
2Configure your monitor display resolution to at least 1280 x 1024 pixels at 
60 Hz with 128 colors. Otherwise, you may not view the console in 
Full 
Screen Mode
.
3If you are using the Java plug-in to connect, ensure that your system has 
Java Virtual Machine (JVM) version 1.6 update 21 or later installed.
Table 10-1. Supported Screen Resolutions and Refresh Rates
Screen Resolution Refresh Rate (Hz)
720x400 70
640x480 60, 72, 75, 85
800x600 60, 70, 72, 75, 85
1024x768 60, 70, 72, 75, 85
1280x1024 60 
						

							Using GUI Console Redirection163
Configuring Console Redirection
1On your management station, open a supported Web browser and log into 
the DRAC 5. See Accessing the Web-Based Interface on page 48 for 
more information.
2In the System tree, click System.
3Click the Console tab and then click Configuration.
4In the Console Redirect Configuration page, use the information in 
Table 10-2 to configure your console redirection session.
5In DRAC 5 versions 1.40 and later, you can select the Native or 
Javaplug-in type you want to install. 
6Click Apply Changes to save the settings.
 NOTE: Any change in the Virtual Console configuration settings impacts or 
disconnects any existing user Virtual Console sessions.
Table 10-2. Console Redirection Configuration Page Information
Information Description
EnabledChecked = Enabled; Unchecked=Disabled
Max SessionsDisplays the number of console redirection sessions 
that are available.
Active SessionsDisplays the number of active console redirection 
sessions.
Keyboard and Mouse Port 
NumberDefault = 5900
Vi d e o  Po r t  N u m b e rDefault = 5901
Video Encryption 
EnabledChecked = Enabled; Unchecked=Disabled
Local Server Video 
EnabledChecked = Enabled; Unchecked=Disabled
Plug-in TypeEnables you to select the Native (ActiveX for 
Windows and XPI plug-in for Linux) or Java plug-in.
NOTE: If you select the Java plug-in, ensure that you 
already have the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) version 
1.6 Update 21 or later installed on your system. 
						

							164Using GUI Console Redirection
The buttons in Table 10-3 are available on the Console Redirect 
Configuration page.
 NOTE: With DRAC 5 version 1.30 and later, you can disable console redirection for 
a remote user. For more information, see Disabling DRAC 5 Remote Virtual KVM on 
page 214.
Opening a Console Redirection Session
When you open a console redirection session, the Dell Virtual KVM Viewer 
Application starts and the remote systems desktop appears in the viewer. 
Using the Virtual KVM Viewer Application, you can control the systems 
mouse and keyboard functions from a local or remote management station.
Default Access for 
Console SharingSelect the default type of console sharing access to be 
provided to the console sharing request from the 
second user for console access when the first user is 
connected to the console. The access permissions are:
•No Access — Does not allow any access to the 
second user.
•
Read-only Access — Allows read-only access to the 
second user.
•
Full Access — Allows complete access to the second 
user.
Table 10-3. Console Redirection Configuration Page Buttons
Property Description
PrintPrints the Console Redirect Configuration page.
RefreshReloads the Console Redirect Configuration page.
Apply ChangesSaves your configuration settings. Table 10-2. Console Redirection Configuration Page Information 
(continued)
Information Description 
						

							Using GUI Console Redirection165
To open a console redirection session:
1
On your management station, open a supported Web browser and log into 
the DRAC 5. See Accessing the Web-Based Interface on page 48 for 
more information.
2In the System tree, click System and then in the Console tab, click 
Console Redirect.
 NOTE: If you receive a security warning prompting you to install and run the 
Console Redirection plug-in, verify the plug-in’s authenticity and then click Ye s to 
install and run the plug-in. If you are running Firefox, restart the browser and then 
go to step 1.
3In the Console Redirection page, use the information in Table 10-4 to 
ensure that a console redirection session is available.
Table 10-4. Console Redirection Page Information
Property Description
Console Redirection 
EnabledYe s / N o
Video Encryption 
EnabledYe s / N o
Local Server Video 
EnabledYe s / N o
StatusConnected or Disconnected
Max SessionsThe maximum number of supported console redirection 
sessions.
Active SessionsThe current number of active console redirection sessions.
Plug-in TypeThe plug-in type you selected in the Console Redirect 
Configuration page.
Default Access for 
Console SharingThe default type of console sharing access to be provided to 
the request from the second user when the first user is 
connected to the console. The access permissions are:
•No Access — Indicates access is denied to the second user.
•
Read-only Access — Indicates read-only access to the 
second user.
•
Full Access — Indicates complete access to the second user. 
						

							166Using GUI Console Redirection
The buttons in Table 10-5 are available on the Console Redirection page.
4
To open a new console, click Connect.
 NOTE: DRAC 5 supports four simultaneous console redirections. If you have 
opened a session and another user tries to open a different session in the 
same managed system, you receive a request for granting permission to the 
user. You can permit or deny access. If you do not provide permission within 
30 seconds, the request is deactivated.
If you are using a Firefox browser, it will prompt you to Open or Save a 
JNLP file. You can open it with the 
Java Web Start Launcher. If you choose 
to save the JNLP file, manually open it before you disconnect the session. 
Once you disconnect the session, the JNLP file saved cannot be validated. 
If you are using Internet Explorer, it caches the JNLP file in the 
Te m p o r a r y  
Internet Files
 folder and runs automatically using the Java Web Start 
Launcher
. 
 NOTE: If one or more Security Alert windows appear in the following steps, 
read the information in the window and click Ye s to continue.
When you have finished using the Console and have logged out (using the 
remote systems logout procedure), click 
Disconnect on the Console 
Redirection page or close the Viewer.
The management station connects to the DRAC 5 and the remote 
system’s desktop appears in the Dell Digital KVM Viewer Application.
5If two mouse pointers appear on the remote systems desktop, synchronize 
the mouse pointers on the management station and the remote system. 
See Synchronizing the Mouse Pointers on page 172.
Table 10-5. Console Redirection Page Buttons
Button Definition
RefreshReloads the Console Redirection Configuration page
ConnectOpens a console redirection session on the targeted 
remote system.
PrintPrints the Console Redirection Configuration page. 
						

							Using GUI Console Redirection167
Disabling or Enabling Local Video
To disable or enable local video, perform the following procedure:
1
On your management station, open a supported Web browser and log into 
the DRAC 5. See Accessing the Web-Based Interface on page 48 for 
more information.
2In the System tree, click System.
3Click the Console tab and then click Configuration.
4If you want to enable (turn ON) local video on the server, in the Console 
Redirect Configuration 
page, select the Local Server Video Enabled 
check-box and then click 
Apply Changes. The default value is ON.
5If you want to disable (turn OFF) local video on the server, in the Console 
Redirect Configuration 
page, deselect the Local Server Video Enabled 
check box and then click 
Apply Changes.
The Console Redirection page displays the status of the Local Server Video.
 NOTE: The local server video enabled feature is supported on all x9xx PowerEdge 
systems except PowerEdge SC1435 and 6950.
 
NOTE: By disabling (turning OFF) the local video on the server, only the monitor 
connected to the local server will be disabled.
 
NOTE: With DRAC 5 version 1.30 and later, you can disable console redirection for 
a remote user. For more information, see Disabling DRAC 5 Remote Virtual KVM on 
page 214.
Using the Video Viewer
The Video Viewer provides a user interface between the management station 
and the remote system, allowing you to see the remote systems desktop and 
control its mouse and keyboard functions from your management station. 
When you connect to the remote system, the Video Viewer starts in a 
separate window.
The Video Viewer provides various control adjustments such as video 
calibration, mouse acceleration, and snapshots. Click Help for more 
information on these functions. 
						

							168Using GUI Console Redirection
When you start a console redirection session and the Video Viewer appears, 
you may be required to adjust the following controls in order to view and 
control the remote system properly. These adjustments include: 
• Accessing the Viewer Menu Bar
• Adjusting the video quality
• Synchronizing the mouse pointers
Accessing the Viewer Menu Bar
The viewer menu bar is a hidden menu bar. To access the menu bar, move 
your cursor near the top-center edge of the Viewer’s desktop window. 
Also, the menu bar can be activated by pressing the default function key 
. To reassign this function key to a new function:
1
Press  or move your mouse cursor to the top of the Video Viewer. 
2Press the push pin to lock the viewer menu bar.
3In the viewer menu bar, click Tools and select Session Options.
4In the Session Options window, click the General tab. 
5In the General tab window in the Menu Activation Keystroke box, click 
the drop-down menu and select another function key.
6Click Apply, and then click OK. 
Table 10-6 provides the main features that are available for use in the viewer 
menu bar.
Table 10-6. Viewer Menu Bar Selections
Menu Item Item Description
File Capture to File Captures the current remote system 
screen to a .bmp (Windows) or .png 
(Linux) file on the local system. A dialog 
box is displayed that allows you to save 
the file to a specified location.
Exit Exits the Console Redirection page. 
						

							Using GUI Console Redirection169
View Refresh Updates the entire remote system-screen 
viewport.
Full Screen Expands the session screen from a 
window to full screen.
Macros Various keyboard 
shortcutsExecutes a keystroke combination on the 
remote system. 
To connect your management station’s 
keyboard to the remote system and run 
amacro:
1Click To o l s.
2In the Session Options window, click 
the 
General tab.
3Select Pass all keystrokes to target.
4Click OK.
5Click Macros.
6In the Macros menu, click a keystroke 
combination to execute on the target 
system.
Table 10-6. Viewer Menu Bar Selections (continued)
Menu Item Item Description 
						

							170Using GUI Console Redirection
Tools Automatic Video 
AdjustRecalibrates the session viewer video 
output.
Manual Video Adjust Provides individual controls to manually 
adjust the session viewer video output.
NOTE: Adjusting the horizontal position off-
center desynchronizes the mouse pointers. 
Session Options Provides additional session viewer control 
adjustments. 
The Mouse tab enables you to optimize 
mouse performance depending upon your 
operating system. 
Select a terminating keystroke from the 
drop down menu to exit single cursor 
mode. The Terminating Keystroke option 
is available if the plug-in type is Java.
The General tab provides the following 
options:
•Keyboard pass through mode — Select 
Pass all keystrokes to target to pass your 
management station’s keystrokes to the 
remote system.
•
Menu Activation Keystroke — Selects 
the function key that activates the 
viewer menu bar.
The Toolbar Hide Delay list box lets you 
adjust the interval between the removal of 
the mouse cursor and the disappearance 
of the menu bar when the thumbtack 
button on the menu bar is not clicked. 
This option is available if the plug-in type 
is Native.
Help N/A Activates the Help menu. Table 10-6. Viewer Menu Bar Selections 
(continued)
Menu Item Item Description