This discussion follows up recent chats focusing on working with the Dell™ Management Console powered by Altiris™ from Symantec™ systems management tools. Get additional insight on configurable dashboards, graphical reports, role-based security, hierarchical software deployment, MIB Import for management of events from non-Dell devices, one-to-many hardware configuration wizards, enhanced scalability through a remote database infrastructure and other features.

Technical Community - Background Reading

Chat Transcript

Dell-ScottH Welcome everyone! (Too many names to type.) :-) I see Gabe is here, and Rob should be here in a few. Then we can kick it off.
wuzzle I updated my Java and now the Dell Management Console isn't working; so I am remoting into the server and launching it from there
Rob Did I stumble into the right place?
wuzzle (Just starting the conversation)
Dell-ScottH This is Rob, as in Rob Cox, correct?
Dell-ScottH Welcome Thomas
wuzzle The topic is the Dell Management Console right?
Dell-ScottH Welcome Strebor
Dell-ScottH Yes, Wuzzle, we will kick off in a second, and then see about your Java question
Dell_-_Gabe Yes, Wuzzle
wuzzle No problem! Thanks
Dell-ScottH Okay, thanks again for everyone joining for this week’s chat. Today we will cover Dell Management Console. Couple of things before we get started. This chat is recorded. So come back tomorrow to the same link, and you can re-read the transcript and click the links. We welcome questions at any time; this is a loosely moderated forum and free flowing. We have a couple of guests leading the conversation today. So welcome to Rob and Gabe from the the Dell Management Console team. Is there anyone else you’re your team that is lurking?
Rob Not at the moment. I think it's just us
Dell-ScottH Okay, let me kick it off with a couple of links to some resources. the Dell Management Console has been out for a few months, and if you are on the fence, now is the time to jump in! The the Dell Management Console team mainly hangs out here to answer your questions: http://en.community.dell.com/groups/dell_management_console/default.aspx
Dell-ScottH Many links to resource documents and demos, we’re building that community, so all of you can also help answer each others’ questions and we can get rob, Gabe, and the team back to developing more products :-)
Dell-ScottH Rob, Gabe, would you care to introduce yourselves?
Rob Sure
wuzzle Thanks
Rob I'm Rob Cox and I'm development lead on the Dell Management Console 1.0
Dell-ScottH Welcome newcomers! You can catch up on the chat by using Action, Recent Room History
Dell_-_Gabe My area of expertise is mainly monitor solution and to some extent the protocol layer. I have some background in the event console as well, so I can field questions in those areas
Dell-ScottH If you are new to the Dell Management Console the FAQ is a great place to start: http://en.community.dell.com/groups/dell_management_console/wiki/dmc-faq.aspx
The_Machine What is the use of the PowerVault MD3000i snapshots as opposed to using snapshotting from within vSphere?
Rob By snapshots, are you talking about the hardware inventory in the Dell Management Console? Or something else?
Dell-ScottH Also here's the resource page on the TechCenter for the Dell Management Console: www.delltechcenter.com/page/dell+management+console
Dell-ScottH @kong or Jeff, do you want to take The_machine's question? @the_machine, we are covering DMC today, but Jeff or Kong might be able to help
The_Machine Appreciate it. I am building a new network with two PowerEdge R610s and a PowerVault MD3000i
Dell-JeffS I'll take it
The_Machine ESX 4, and I have the option to snapshot with ESX. Snapping the VMs
Dell-JeffS @the_machine, I'll get back to you shortly
Dell-ScottH @wuzzle, what is the problem with the Java and DMC that you have?
The_Machine The reason behind using the snaps will be to basically have short-term disaster recovery during updates, database upgrades, etc., in case there's an issue. Just revert back to that snap
wuzzle I updated Java and when I launch the Web browser to connect to DMC I get an unknown error
The_Machine As far as I can tell, the PowerVault MD3000i snapshotting tool allows you to snap the LUN(?) and revert to when the snap was taken in the same fashion, so is there any compelling reason why one would license the PowerVault MD3000i snapshotting tools in this situation?
Rob @the_machine, I'm afraid I won't be able to answer that one. I'm mostly focused on DMC
wuzzle I mean the error message says "unknown error"
Rob Scott, should we discuss a few things that we might roll out soon on DMC?
Dell-ScottH That would be great! So what can we expect in the next version? And ideas on time frame for release?
The_Machine Hmmm…if you're not able to answer it, is it safe to assume there are no compelling reasons to have my clients purchase the additional license then?
Dell-ScottH No, Rob is just saying that he is Dell Management Console focused
Rob So are you trying to access your PowerVault MD3000i from the Dell Management Console?
Dell-ScottH Would probably be best to take it offline in e-mail with us
Rob Or by some other means
Dell-ScottH I would suggest asking the question on the discussion forum: www.delltechcenter.com/forum. Then we can pass around to storage experts that aren't on this chat
Rob @wuzzle, I'm not sure why you would be seeing this problem the Dell Management Console is based on .NET, so I'm not sure why the Java upgrade would have caused trouble
wcnichols Scott, do you know of any documentation on using the PowerVault MD3000i and SQL Server
Rob Do you other Java applets still run?
wuzzle I am just getting strange errors when running it locally; if I remote in and run it directly from the server that has DMC installed, there is no problem
Rob Okay, let's get those error messages and post them on the community site and I'll have a look
Dell-ScottH I do not; maybe Jeff can follow up on that and get something posted. Looking for sizing? Or best practices settings–type stuff?
wuzzle I just got an error about XML and now it says “loading”
Rob Okay, so next version of the Dell Management Console is 1.0.2
wuzzle It is okay. I was hoping to find some resources on setting up traps and alerts
wcnichols Scott, yes, I just purchased it and the Remote Implementation team is going to contact me Friday. I wondered how I should set it up since I am new
Rob We are targeting end of September. So we are working hard to hit that date
Dell-ScottH Welcome Carter! Use Action, Recent Room History to catch up
cartershanklin Scott, slow down there mister, what's your rush?
wuzzle What are some feature changes or additions in 1.02?
Dell_-_Gabe @wuzzle, have you checked out the white paper on that?
Dell-ScottH No Rush, I like Foreigner :-)
wuzzle Not yet
cartershanklin Has anyone else been giving you grief about your need for speed?
Dell-ScottH :-)
wuzzle I am sure to find them off of some of the links you sent?
Dell-ScottH Yes, lots of grief :-)
Dell_-_Gabe Also I believe there has been some discussion on this on the forums
Dell-ScottH @wcnichols, is this your first PowerVault MD3000i?
cartershanklin I thought I was being so original :(
Rob http://en.community.dell.com/groups/dell_management_console/default.aspx . The lower-right corner has an event actions white paper
Rob http://en.community.dell.com/groups/dell_management_console/media/default.aspx. This page has some movies and maybe another white paper
wb-wpb Leave Scott alone, he was just trying to improve the utilization percentage of the roadway
wuzzle Everything checks out on the left-hand column, but nothing on the middle page loads...any ideas where to start?
wuzzle Okay, I will check out those resources
Rob Okay, so new features we are looking at for 1.0.2: Just a few new things—support for discovery, classification, health, and SNMP alerts for EqualLogic arrays
wcnichols Oh, sorry, I am behind. I still run IT Assistant. Is the the Dell Management Consolethe Dell Management Console the replacement and is it free?
Dell-ScottH @wcnichols, Jeff has a slew of information on out-of-box setup for the PowerVault MD3000i; I'd start there and maybe throw out any specific question on the discussion forum. We have lots of PowerVault MD3000i users on our site: www.delltechcenter.com/page/the+dell+powervault+md3000i
Dell-ScottH Yes and yes
Rob Also discovery, inventory, health, and SNMP alerts for Power Distribution Units (PDU)
Rob @wcnichols, yes. the Dell Management Console replaces IT Assistant and is free. Also, some new tasks: SNMP Configuration to remotely configure SNMP settings on a managed node and boot order configuration tasks, and a warranty information task for grabbing server warranty information
Rob That's the main list of new features in 1.0.2
Dell-ScottH So you are coding and chatting at the same time? :-)
Rob No...online poker
Dell-ScottH To hit the September release?
Dell-ScottH Lol
Rob Yeah, we are hoping we can get this all posted on the Web by the end of September
wb-wpb Will it run in a VM yet or still must be physical?
wuzzle Good questions
wcnichols Very cool; I gotta load this up then
wuzzle How about support for Windows 2008?
wcnichols I had IT Assistant loaded on a workstation though :(
Rob Ah, right...yeah, we are also testing and trying to certify on a VM. I think it is going well. We are trying to certify for ESX and Hyper-V. Not VM workstation though
wuzzle Yes, I would have liked a client version loaded on a workstation
Dell-ScottH ESX 4?
Rob @wcnichols, yeah, I know...we hear that a bit :)
wuzzle I have to run a separate server just for the Dell Management Console
Rob Yeah, we can discover ESX 4 boxes. VMware did change some things re SNMP; we posted a white paper to discuss this
Dell-ScottH Link?
wcnichols Bah, then I have to change the SNMP reporting places, Bah
Rob @wuzzle, actually, yeah, a dedicated box is best practice for any kind of systems management software; people fuss about it, but it is the smartest way to do it
wuzzle Well resources are tight everywhere
Rob ESX 4 paper: http://en.community.dell.com/groups/dell_management_console/media/p/19527351.aspx
wuzzle But if we could virtualize it, that would bring cost savings
wcnichols Yeah
Rob @wuzzle, yep, I hear ya. But there are so many variables it makes it hard to test for every software package that might cause mischief
wuzzle And support for Windows 2008?
Rob But VM will help, yeah. Windows 2008...my least favorite topic. Yeah, still looking like 2010...don't throw things... :(
wuzzle What, not in love with Bill?
wuzzle :)
Rob Back to your “resources are tight everywhere” :)
wcnichols No way I can load this on Windows XP right?
Rob Windows 2008 is not a freebie...a fair amount of work to support actually
wuzzle I’m using a decommissioned PowerEdge 800 for the Dell Management Console. What is free? Linux?
Rob @wcnichols, no Windows XP, sorry. Free to download...
wcnichols Guess I’ll work on this tomorrow
Rob Nothing is free to implement
wuzzle Good point, Rob
Rob PowerEdge 800? How many processors, memory?
wuzzle Two processors, 8 GB. (I read the recommendations)…
Rob Yeah, should be good
wuzzle Works so far
Rob How many devices when you get it all set up?
wuzzle Testing, mind you, not productions; I have 20 managed nodes
Rob Nice...should be great
wuzzle Looking forward to future releases. I try not to roll out with version 1
Rob Right. So I see one of our developers joined
Dell-ScottH Rob and team work faster on Mountain Dew and Pixie Sticks, so just send them a bunch
Rob Pushkala, can you give us a "use case" example of the boot order configuration task? :) Ping :)
piyer Sure. You'd use the boot order configuration to change the primary boot sequence on your managed nodes. For example, if you wanted them all to boot from the CD say, you could effect that from the boot-order configuration
Rob Nice, so you just have a drop-down list (combo box) to let them choose in the GUI?
HoosierCAB Can the Dell Management Console enable or disable PXE on an embedded NIC?
piyer Yes, the user can choose the preferred boot sequence from the GUI, which has a drop-down. The task gives the user the convenience of effecting that configuration across multiple managed nodes. I think this is possible, but I have to double check. We have most of the NIC configuration options that are available through omconfig
Dell_-_Gabe Any specific questions on monitoring or alerting?
Rob Yeah, I think the OpenManage CLI task will support PXE sets
HoosierCAB How easy is it to import "other" SNMP MIBs?
piyer The BIOS configuration will also support PXE sets on NICs
HoosierCAB That is, the HP tape alert one
Rob There is a MIB import feature that is part of the product. Just point the MIB and import it, then the Dell Management Console will recognize the alerts and you can create actions on the alerts. There should be a white paper on this
HoosierCAB Piyer, cool. That might come in handy someday, if I ever convince my coworkers to the power of PXE and RIS
Rob Hoosiercab, are you looking to manage other devices in addition to tape? Or just tape, servers?
HoosierCAB Rob, we have Dell servers with non-Dell tape drives attached, so sometimes we get tape alerts, mostly just tape
Rob Great. Don't forget we support Dell (and some non-Dell) network printers as well
HoosierCAB I haven't looked too heavily at the Dell Management Console, IT Assistant is still humming along nicely for me; just recalling the fun I had getting the alerts configured
Rob Actually, most Lexmark and HP printers
HoosierCAB Oh really? That might be useful too
Rob Oh yeah
wuzzle That is what I am working on currently, Hoosiercab
Dell-ScottH Rob, isn't there alert importing from IT Assistant to the Dell Management Console?
HoosierCAB That will move the Dell Management Console up a notch or two on my priority list
Rob Not alert importing exactly...so all the alerts that we support in IT Assistant are already defined in DMC, and you can *migrate* your IT Assistant discovery ranges to DMC very easily with a wizard
Rob Yeah, so on the printers, you can do stuff like "toner low" e-mail and alert to Bob, etc.
Dell_-_Gabe For those currently using IT Assistant, what is the most compelling thing keeping you from using that tool, and what is or would be the most compelling reason to move to DMC from a feature perspective?
HoosierCAB IT Assistant runs just fine on a VM. And it just works—both of those are keeping me using it
HoosierCAB New feature wise? All we use IT Assistant for is centralized hardware alerting, so as long as the Dell Management Console can do that, we'll move to it eventually
Rob So VM support and alerting...we should get Hoosiercab as a new customer soon :)
wcnichols Gabe, I think I am probably using DMC eventually, but I like that I can load IT Assistant on a workstation. I have plenty of those around
Rob Yeah, I understand the workstation argument
wcnichols 4 GB resources seems a little high to me for a monitoring tool also
Dell_-_Gabe And how many devices roughly do you support?
Rob Yeah, 4 GB for a few devices—I understand. But 4 GB for 2000 servers, is not so bad
wcnichols Probably around 50, 50–60
Rob You could sneak by on 2 GB, I expect. Might want to pilot that configuration
wcnichols So it won't check the hardware prior then and stop installing because I don't have 4 GB then
Dell_-_Gabe Actually, my development environment is a VM with 2 GB
wcnichols Okay, that answers that
Rob I think it will give you a warning pre-req, but okay to proceed. Let's wrap up today with a quick mention of PDU: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/server_network/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=04&sku=a0134325
Dell_-_Gabe Though it is notably slower than real hardware
Rob Pushkala worked in some support for PDU in 1.0.2, and we'll be expanding on it on a subsequent release as well
Rob Pushkala, want to give a quick update?
wcnichols We have five of those. How do you go about updating the DMC? Is it the same as IT Assistant?
wuzzle Sorry to interrupt; I am assuming under monitoring and alerting I can configure all my alerts? It looks like there are some predefined policies
Rob @wuzzle, yep. The white paper discusses this stuff too, so that will help
HoosierCAB Oh, the Dell Management Console does PDUs? All APCs? There's another notch up the list :)
wuzzle I will try and find the articles. Thanks
Rob @wcnichols, say again?
Dell_-_Gabe Yes there are several predefined policies
Rob You can install the Dell Management Console on the same box as IT Assistant or a different box, either way.
piyer Okay, so for new device support in DMC 1.0.2, we have official support for the APC 7900 PDUs
wuzzle http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/software/smdmc/10/en/ug/monitor.htm#1182622
wuzzle Another resource I found
Dell_-_Gabe Also, be aware there are monitor alerts that are different from traps and have different alert variables—both can be used to generate e-mails
piyer We have plans to support more APC and Eaton PDUs in the next release
wuzzle Good to know
Dell_-_Gabe White paper covers all of this as well
Rob Right, so on PDU, we can discover, inventory, and monitor health, as well as SNMP alerts
wuzzle www.delltechcenter.com/page/dell+management+console
Rob Is there a right-click application launch as well?
wuzzle I can find the white paper here
piyer Yes, there is a right-click application launch on the PDUs that takes you to the PDU management Web page
Rob Right, and also, the hardware inventory; does it show plugs in use, or what else?
Dell_-_Gabe Wuzzle, try this for the white papers: http://en.community.dell.com/groups/dell_management_console/media/default.aspx
wuzzle Thanks, Gabe
piyer On the hardware inventory we have most device information, the outlet information, phases/orientation, power supply status, etc. We also plan to get more power utilization information in the later release
Dell_-_Gabe You want Configuring Event Actions in the Dell Management Console
Rob Yeah, these are very cool...smart power supplies with an SNMP agent...check them out
Rob Thanks, Pushkala. Scott, we'll toss it back to you!
Dell-ScottH Thanks!
wuzzle There are events and then there are monitors/SNMP versus WMI settings?
Dell-ScottH Appreciate Rob, Pushkala, and Gabe taking the time today. Hit them up on the forums with additional questions. We are at the end of the hour, but feel free to hang out longer if your plans accommodate it
Rob Sure, @wuzzle, post on the forum, and we'll carry on with this :)
wuzzle Thanks guys
Dell-ScottH Thanks to everyone for joining today!
wuzzle I think I can figure it out. Just a matter of digging around, but if I get stuck…later all
HoosierCAB Try not to get another speeding ticket, Scotth
Dell_-_Gabe Monitor uses a poll to track some value, such as health, when the health changes monitor solution will send an alert, separately; the device will also generate an SNMP trap—these are just two different things and we handle both
Dell-ScottH Will do :-)
thomas_barta Bye for now