This is the Dell Logo This graphic produces space between objects Buy Online or Call 1-800-WWW-DELL 
Dell PowerEdge 6650
This graphic produces a rounded corner This button takes the user back to the previous pagePrevious   NextThis button takes the user to the next page.
This is a placeholder for Dell's Customer Training logo
IndexThis is an arrow pointing right
Course OverviewThis is an arrow pointing right
Product OverviewThis is an arrow pointing right
ChassisThis is an arrow pointing right
Processor TechnologyThis is an arrow pointing right
Chipset TechnologyThis is an arrow pointing right
Memory TechnologyThis is an arrow pointing right
I/O TechnologyThis is an arrow pointing right
Power TechnologyThis is an arrow pointing right
BIOS Technology This is an arrow pointing down
Setup Interface
PXE
Console Redirection
System Setup Simulation
SoftwareThis is an arrow pointing right
TroubleshootingThis is an arrow pointing right
Review MaterialsThis is an arrow pointing right
Course Feedback
Contact Dell

Dell PowerEdge 6650

Console Redirection

Console redirection allows you to maintain a server from a remote location by redirecting keyboard input and text output through the serial port. Graphic output is not redirected. Console redirection can be used under MS-DOS® for tasks such as setting up a common BIOS configuration or setting up a RAID configuration.

In a typical installation, the system is connected to a port concentrator that allows you to connect several systems via a shared modem. After you use a modem or other remote connection to log into the port concentrator, you can select which system you want to manage with console redirection.

Minimum Hardware and Connection Requirements
To use console redirection, you must have the following:

  • An available serial port (COM port) on a client system (This port must not conflict with any other ports on the system.)
  • Available serial port 1 (COM 1) on the server
  • A null modem cable to connect the server to the client system
Software Requirements
The remote terminal emulation software should meet the following specifications:

  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or VT100/220 terminal emulation with a window size of 80 x 25 characters
  • 9600, 19.2K, 57.6K, or 115.2K bits per second (bps) via serial (COM) ports
  • Recommended: the ability to create keyboard command macros

All versions of the Microsoft® Windows® operating systems come with HyperTerminal terminal emulation software. However, the version of HyperTerminal included with most Windows operating systems does not provide the correct screen size, the arrow and function keys do not work, and there is no method of creating macros.

You may want to consider an upgrade to HyperTerminal Private Edition 6.1 or later or other terminal emulation software. You may be eligible for a free upgrade from the current version of HyperTerminal from Hilgraeve.

IMPORTANT - More Information NOTE: The screen shots below are generic PowerEdge images. The implementation on the PowerEdge 6650 is the same.
Configuring Console Redirection on the Server System
Console redirection is configured through the system setup program. The Console Redirection option displays a screen that allows you to configure console redirection. The sub-menu allows you to turn the feature on or off, select the remote terminal type, and enable or disable redirection after booting.

 Configure Console Redirection on the Server System
Step 1: Power on the system and enter the BIOS via the F2 key.

This is a pictue of a PowerEdge POST screen
Step 2: Once inside the BIOS, navigate down to the Console Redirection option and press Enter. From the submenu enable Console Redirection, change the remote terminal type to VT100/VT220, and enable Redirection after Boot.

This is a picture of the PowerEdge BIOS screen demonstrating the Console Redirection options

For best results, you should select VT100/VT220.

IMPORTANT - More Information NOTE: If VT100/220 is selected but not all the characters are visible on the screen, ANSI should be used as the terminal type. ANSI can display the full set of ASCII characters.


IMPORTANT - More Information NOTE: If Console Redirection is done via a null modem cable and the system does not have a keyboard and/or mouse attached, a Keyboard Failure error message will be produced at POST because there is no keyboard directly attached to the server.

This is a picture of the Keyboard Error that will happen during standard Console Redirection

 Configuring the Ports

  First, launch HyperTerminal or other terminal emulation software. Next, configure the terminal to use an available COM port and set its properties as follows:
  • Port speed: 9600, 19.2K, 57.6K, or 115.2K bps
  • Data bits: 8
  • Parity: none
  • Stop bits: 1
  • Flow control: Hardware
  

 Configuring the Terminal Settings
After configuration of the ports, configure the terminal settings by performing the following steps:

Step 1: In HyperTerminal, click File, click Properties, and select the Settings tab.

This is a picture of the HyperTerminal window
Step 2: Make sure that the Function, arrow, and Ctrl keys act as field is set to Terminal Keys and the Backspace key sends field is set to Ctrl + H.

This is a picture of the HyperTerminal properties window
Step 3: Change the Emulation setting from Auto detect to ANSI or VT100/220. In the example below VT 100 is selected.

This is a picture of the HyperTerminal properties window

IMPORTANT - More Information NOTE: This setting should be the same as the setting selected for the Console Redirection option on the server.


Step 4: Click the Terminal Setup button, change the number of rows from 24 to 25, and leave the number of columns at 80.

This is a picture of the Terminal Settings window

This graphic, located at the bottom of the page, includes navigation buttons allowing you to return to the Previous page, or continue to the Next page. The Previous button is on the left, and the Next button is on the right. Text links are available at the top right of the page.

Copyright 1999-2002 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.