Using VRTX KVM and DVD This Dell Technical White Paper addresses the usage of KVM and DVD of the VRTX Chassis. Author(s) Arun Muthaiyan Balamurugan Gnanasambandam This white paper is for informational purposes only, and may contain typographical errors and technical inaccuracies. The content is provided as is, without express or implied warranties of any kind.
Executive summary The VRTX Chassis is a converged infrastructure solution that combines up to four separate compute nodes, network infrastructure, and a shared storage subsystem. This paper will cover the usage of KVM and DVD. Contents Introduction....................................................................................... 3 KVM Configuration and Selection .............................................................. 3 KVM Configuration from RACADM ..............................................
Introduction The VRTX Chassis is a converged infrastructure solution that combines four separate compute nodes, network infrastructure, and a shared storage subsystem. This paper will cover the usage of KVM and DVD. With KVM, the user can connect the monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the VRTX Chassis, assign it to one of the servers, and then use them. DVD is an optional module in the VRTX chassis and it can be assigned to one of the servers and used.
The KVM can be enabled for a particular slot by using the following command. $ racadm config -g cfgkvminfo -o cfgKvmSlot3Enable 1 Object value modified successfully The KVM can be disabled for a particular slot using the following command. $ racadm config -g cfgkvminfo -o cfgKvmSlot1Enable 0 Object value modified successfully KVM Configuration from GUI To view the KVM properties from the CMC Web interface, click Chassis Overview > Front Panel. Figure 1.
Figure 2. KVM configuration DVD Configuration and Selection The VRTX chassis comes with an optional DVD as part of chassis infrastructure. Similar to other infrastructure components, DVD can be assigned to one of the Server. Note that DVD cannot be shared between servers, it can only be assigned and used by one Server at a time. Assignment of DVD to a server is independent of other assignments. For example, KVM can be assigned to Server-3, while DVD can be assigned and used by Server-2.
The config variable cfgDvdMapping provides the current assignment. The variables cfgDvdSlotXEnable allows to permanently disable the use of DVD for some slots. The following are additional commands for use with the DVD.
The same thing can be achieved through the VRTX CMC Web interface. After you log in, click Chassis Overview > Front Panel, and then click the DVD Drive Properties. Figure 3.
For setting up a DVD feature, click Front Panel > Setup > DVD Drive Configuration. Figure 4. DVD Setup USB Mass Storage and Other USB Devices KVM Configuration Section discusses the assignment of KVM ports and assignment to servers. There are two ports given for keyboard and mouse.
use, and as such Dell only supports these ports for keyboard and mouse. You may be able to connect other USB devices and assign them to servers at your own risk. Summary VRTX Chassis is a converged infrastructure solution that combines up to four separate compute nodes, network infrastructure, and a shared storage subsystem in one chassis. This paper has discussed how to setup and manage the KVM and its associated USB port, and the DVD in the VRTX chassis.
