iDRAC, which stands for Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller, is a built-in hardware-based control feature found in Dell's PowerEdge servers. This feature allows administrators to remotely monitor, maintain, update, troubleshoot, and manage the server, regardless of the operating system or whether the server is powered on or not. On the back of Dell's PowerEdge servers, you can find a network socket labeled iDRAC.
iDRAC is used for:
- KVM access (Keyboard video mouse)
- Troubleshooting
- Monitoring
- Install operating system
- Update firmware for BIOS, network cards, and other components
Good to think about: For security reasons, iDRAC should always only be connected to its own device VLAN which is separated from others and has very limited access. This is because iDRAC itself does not have such high security functions, but relies on being connected to a secure network, and an intrusion into iDRAC can be devastating for the business.
iDRAC offers a variety of features to simplify server management, including console access (such as having a monitor and keyboard plugged in), system health monitoring, firmware updates, and power management. This remote access feature enables IT staff to manage servers efficiently from any location, reducing the need for physical intervention in the data center and helping to quickly fix any problems.
Corresponding functions are available from other manufacturers:
- HP Integrated Lights-Out (iLO): HP's equivalent of Dell's iDRAC, offering similar functionality for remote monitoring and control of HP's ProLiant and Integrity servers.
- IBM Integrated Management Module (IMM): Replaced IBM RSA and offers remote monitoring and management capabilities for IBM's System x and BladeCenter servers.
- Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM): Used for remote monitoring and management of Oracle's Sun servers.
- Supermicro Intelligent Management (IPMI): Another implementation based on the industry standard IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface), used by Supermicro to provide remote management capabilities.
Since iDRAC is a separate system that automatically starts up when at least one network part has power, iDRAC can be accessed even when the server is turned off, as long as it has power. It also does not matter which operating system is installed on the server as iDRAC is completely independent. You can also install the operating system itself via iDRAC.
