Test article

this is some about text.

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+ Published at + + 04.04.2024 + + +

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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.

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.

+<section id="bios-settings"> +<h2><a href="#bios-settings">#</a> BIOS Settings</h2> +

In the “Serial Communication” menu, make sure everything is set like this:

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>
+

+</section> +<section id="boot-an-os"> +<h2><a href="#boot-an-os">#</a> Boot an OS</h2> +

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.

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.

+</section> +<section id="setup-your-serial-console"> +<h2><a href="#setup-your-serial-console">#</a> Setup your serial console</h2> +

Serial port has to be configured like this:

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
+

Your terminal should be configured like this:

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.
+

+</section> +<section id="setup-a-tftp-server"> +<h2><a href="#setup-a-tftp-server">#</a> Setup a TFTP server</h2> +

Now you need to put the firming.d6 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.

+</section> +<section id="flash-the-firmware"> +<h2><a href="#flash-the-firmware">#</a> Flash the firmware</h2> +

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.

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.
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.
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.
When the RAC is updated with this new firmware, the serial console should become unresponsive.
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.
Time to reconfigure the iDRAC and the BIOS again, as everything probably has been wiped :)

Good luck

+</section> + +