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diff --git a/build/articles/unbricking_idrac.html b/build/articles/unbricking_idrac.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd404bb --- /dev/null +++ b/build/articles/unbricking_idrac.html @@ -0,0 +1,104 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html> + <head> + <title>Quirio</title> + </head> + <body> + <article aria-label="Article"> + <div class="article-meta"> + <span>Published at + <time datetime="04.04.2024"> + 04.04.2024 + </time> + </span> + </div> + + <p>So, the iDRAC6 on my Dell R710 got bricked when attempting to update the lifecycle controller to 1.6.0.73. +The front lcd was dead, and also the rear service led was unlit. +I attempted to drain the power, that made no difference. +I attempted to load <code>firmimg.d6</code> onto a FAT formatted SD card and put it int the vFlash. +But no reaction whatsoever. +It looks to me like everyone ("on the internet") is saying this means a new motherboard, +but I was able to reflash the chip using the BIOS's serial console.</p> +<p>First I needed to get into the BIOS settings, to change some settings there: +When the iDRAC is in this state, the BIOS will complain that it cannot contact the RAC, +and this will make it attempt a reboot. If you wait and let it reboot, +the second time it figures out it cannot contact the RAC it will let you press <code>f1</code> +to continue boot <code>f2</code> to open BIOS settings. +If you disconnect the boot drive and press <code>f1</code> +it will attempt to boot using PXE, when that fails. +You will get the same prompt, +with the additional option of pressing <code>f11</code> to choose the boot device.</p> +<section id="bios-settings"> +<h2><a href="#bios-settings">#</a> BIOS Settings</h2> +<p>In the “Serial Communication” menu, make sure everything is set like this:</p> +<pre><code>Serial Communication …………………… On with Console Redirection via COM2 +Serial Port Address ……………………… Serial Device1=COM1,Serial Device2=COM2 +External Serial Connector ……… Serial Device 1 +Failsafe Baud Rate ………………………… 115200 +Remote Terminal Type …………………… VT100/VTZZ0 +Redirection After Boot ……………… Enabled</code></pre> +</code></pre> +</section> +<section id="boot-an-os"> +<h2><a href="#boot-an-os">#</a> Boot an OS</h2> +<p>Now you should boot an operating system, I booted Linux MX from a USB stick. +But you will probably be fine with the OS you have installed as well.</p> +<p>When you have an OS running, you will need some kind of serial console +(could use just screen and ttys or something) I used Putty.</p> +</section> +<section id="setup-your-serial-console"> +<h2><a href="#setup-your-serial-console">#</a> Setup your serial console</h2> +<p>Serial port has to be configured like this:</p> +<pre><code>Port/address/device: /dev/ttyS1 (For windows it should be COM2) +Baud rate (speed in Putty): 115200 +Data bits: 8 +Pairity: None +Stop Bits: 1 +Flow Control: Hardware +</code></pre> +<p>Your terminal should be configured like this:</p> +<pre><code>Function, arrow and ctrl keys should be set to Terminal Keys or VT100+ +Backspace key sends should be set as Ctrl+H +Emulation should be VT100/220 or auto, NOT ANSI. +</code></pre> +</section> +<section id="setup-a-tftp-server"> +<h2><a href="#setup-a-tftp-server">#</a> Setup a TFTP server</h2> +<p>Now you need to put the <code>firming.d6</code> on a tftp server. +I just downloaded the newest firmware from downloads.dell.com +(in my case, the iDRAC was running the latest version last time it worked) and extracted the firmimg.d6 +from the EXE file. +I started a TFTP server on my laptop on the same network as the dedicated iDRAC Enterprise NIC port. +and put the firmware image on the root there. +You could in theory also start a TFTP server on the OS you are running on the server.</p> +</section> +<section id="flash-the-firmware"> +<h2><a href="#flash-the-firmware">#</a> Flash the firmware</h2> +<p>At this point you should connect to the serial console using the terminal/console you set up earlier. +Now, if you press Enter in the console, you should get a Firmware recovery menu.</p> +<ul> +<li>Setup the iDRAC Enterprise IP (so it can connect to the TFTP server). +If there is a DHCP server on that network, press the number of the action mentioning DHCP (9), +and this should happen automatically.</li> +<li>Select the TFTP server by pressing 7. +If you have the firmimg.d6 on the root of the TFTP server, +you don't have to configure anything else.</li> +<li>Hit the option that mentions Firmware Upgrade. +This will download the firmware image and flash it. +This will take a few minutes, and then the RAC (NOT THE OS YOU ARE RUNNING) will reboot, +and you should hear the fans change speed and the LCD should turn on.</li> +<li>When the RAC is updated with this new firmware, the serial console should become unresponsive.</li> +<li>When everything seems to be done “doing things”, +and you have waited a few minutes extra just to be sure. +You can now reboot the server, at this point you should see the “System services” again.</li> +<li>Time to reconfigure the iDRAC and the BIOS again, as everything probably has been wiped :)</li> +</ul> +<p>Good luck</p> +</section> + + </article> + </body> +</html> + + |