Dell R6xx, 7xx series servers (iDRAC and Console)

Here are two clues that will help you plan for installing the new Dell server families.

They seem to be great servers... lots of capacity for RAM, lots of CPU strength, and I love the rack mounting rail system. I also like the iDRAC service processors.

What's not to like? The back of the chassis is too thick (or the DE9 console port is recessed too far). Either way, most of the serial console adapters (DE9 to RJ45) won't fit well, and provide reliable connections, unless you grind down the cases of the adapters. And, since the adapter vendors don't offer to sell you a "trimmed" version, that job is going to cost you extra, somehow. Hey, maybe we can get the intern to do it? ;-)

I'm *really* glad that the serial consoles are still on the back of the servers, but if you are going to put them there, it seems to me that making the serial adapters fit should be part of the plan to have them on the server.

The one adapter I've found that works on the R620 series servers is from Cyclades (ADB0036). Yes, you can still get them from CDW. Fortunately, our latest batch went into racks with Cyclades TS2000. But, I did need to modify SO MANY of the Lantronix adapters that I made a custom jig for a Dremel router, to get consistent results.

Clue number two: On the R620, ttyS0 goes tot he iDRAC, and ttyS1 goes to the DE9 on the rear of the server. You will need to start an agetty for BOTH of these, if you want to be able to use both of them.

My other big projects are nearly done, and I plan to post much more often this summer. Thanks for reading.

My first impressions of the Redpark serial cable and Get Console

I'm reviewing them together, as I don't see an easy way to use the cable with another app (yet).
My first attempts were hampered by some Bluetooth weirdness between my iPad 1 and my ZAGGmate keyboard. A hard-reset of the iPad seemed to straighten that out. Since then, I have had good luck using the ZAGGmate with Get Console in both portrait and landscape modes. I'm a bit let down that the top speed is 'only' 57.6 Kbps, as I have a handful of console ports running at 115.2 Kbps. That said, it does perform well at those speeds which it does support.
There is no built-in method to email your log files, but you can copy them to the cut-and-paste buffer,and then paste it into the email app of your choice.
It makes the Escape key sequences visible! This is a BIG plus in my book! If you are working with conserver, this will help you spot devices which are prone to fill your logs with extra characters.
The earlier assertion that the application will only work with Cisco devices seems to be incorrect! That is, with a proper adapter, you can connect the cable to almost any device. Using a CFDTE92 adapter, I can connect to the DE9M com port on most Intel-based servers. (Check my Cisco console connection guide page for more clues, http://www.conserver.com/consoles/Cisco/ciscocons.html )
The cable is about 6' long, with a slender cable. The jacket feels a bit like Teflon, and the RJ45M connector has a molded strain relief, which will likely improve the service life. (That would be great, given the cost of the cable!) It is lightweight, and it looks like a high-quality part. The folks at Redpark have been known for the high quality of their products in the past, and I expect good things from this new product.
I have tried the combination with a variety of non-network devices as well, and I seem to be able to talk to them without needing to do any fussing with the signaling wires. I can't promise that it will work with anything, but the Get Console app running 'stand-alone' (without needing to connect to their website) seems to be a useful basic terminal emulator, if you need a wired serial connection. The cable has made a good addition to my iPad gear bag.
Testing the Get Console website service will need to wait for another post.