I used to go to Dell’s web site and download the firmware update one by one for my Optiplex 990 SFF.
When I asked Dell local support if there is a tool that can automatically scan my PC and download all the appropriate firmware updates all together at once, the answer is there is none (the standard answer as usual).
So as usual I never believe such BS, googled around and located this tool: Dell Client System Update.
It’s funny that if you work for Dell and your post is technical support for desktop, you should know this tools by heart, but the reality is always the opposite, sigh.
Well, it’s the annual upgrade season, I have finally performed all the firmware updates on our server and storage, it’s kind of a nightmare (another article follow up shortly). Every time I upgrade the firmware on Poweredge, Powervault, PowerConnect or Equaulogic, it’s a “Press and Pray” session, YAKE!!!
So the old rule of thumb applies, if there is nothing happen to your machine or you don’t need that particular feature, DON’T DO IT!
Anyway, during the way performing all kinds of upgrade, I found Dell has quietly released two new tools.
Dell OpenManage Essentials and Dell Power Center (allows you to measure data center power usage, and it’s not free, but has 60 days trial), from what it described, Dell OpenManage Essentials is the next generation of monitoring and management tool, so you don’t need that crappy DMC (oh…dead after only 2 revisions as expected), well IT Assistant is fine though (long live, still using it, latest version is v8.9).
In additional, it seemed you can also integrate Repository Manager with OME to update firmware on ESX, so why do we pay for Dell Management Plug-in for vCenter after all? Well, you may argue it’s unified solution that you can do everything without leaving vCenter and looking cool, but who cares, as long as we get the jobs done, whatever is cost effective comes first in my theory!
Btw, why does Dell have so many system management tools for the same goal and over lapping each other? There is an Overview if you are interested. It took me almost forever to really get familiar with each of them, OpenMange, iDrac, Life Cycle Controller, F10 USC, Repository Manager, DMC, IT Assistant, DMP for VC, and now Dell OpenManage Essentials, can’t Dell produce one for all? I really do hope OME is the final one that has everything integrated and WORKED (Hopefully that is).
Dell Hardware Management Products
•Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) with Lifecycle Controller (LC)
•Dell Chassis Management Controller (CMC) for blade servers
•Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA)
•Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation (OMCI)
•Basic management utilities with IPMI
Dell Consoles
•Dell OpenManage Essentials (OME)
•Dell Management Console (DMC)
•Dell IT Assistant (ITA)
•Dell Remote Access Configuration Tool (DRACT)
•Dell OpenManage Power Center (OM PC)
ToolIntegration With Third Party Consoles
•Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) Server Management Pack Suite
•Dell Lifecycle Controller Integration (DLCI) pack for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr)
•Dell Server PRO Management Pack for Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM)
•Dell Management Plug-in for VMware vCenter
•BMC Software
Connections With Third Party Consoles
•Dell OpenManage Connection for Computer Associates Network and Systems Management (CA NSM)
•Dell Smart Plug-in (SPI) for HP Operations Manager for Windows
•Dell OpenManage Connection for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIBus
•Dell OpenManage Connection for HP OpenView NNM
•Dell OpenManage Connection for Tivoli Enterprise Console
I found I can no longer use Firefox to access my iDrac page after upgrading the iDrac 6 firmware to latest v1.85.
The particular message is “sec_error_reused_issuer_and_serial”.
Googled it a bit, removed cert8.db and key3.db, some iDrac page worked, some doesn’t as the old and new iDrac cert shares the same digital signature.
Finally, found this from the iDrac 6 v1.85 release note:
* iDRAC default certificate expire date changed to 2023, to get this updated certificate clear the “Preserve Configuration flag” option while updating iDRAC firmware through GUI. Make sure you delete cache from the GUI (IE as well as Firefox).
Firefox web browser might encounter an error if the certificate contains the same serial number as another certificate. Use this ink or the following procedure to resolve the same.
Workaround:
Delete your old exception and use temporary exceptions for subsequent visits to the iDRAC page.
To delete your old exception:
1. On the Firefox window, click the “Firefox” button and then click “Options.”
For Windows XP, click Tools and then “Options.”
For Linux OS, click “Edit” and then “Preferences.”
2. Select the “Advanced” panel.
3. Click on the Encryption tab.
4. Click “View Certificates” to open the Certificate Manager window.
5. In the Certificate Manager window click the “Servers” tab.
6. Identify the item that corresponds to the site that generates the error.
Note: The Certificate Authority (CA) for that server – the CA name appears above the site name.
7. Click on the server certificate that corresponds to the site that generates the error and press “Delete.”
8. Click OK when prompted to delete the exception.
9. Click the “Authorities” tab and select the the item that corresponds to the CA that you noted earlier and then press “Delete.”
10.Click OK when prompted to delete the exception.
To add a temporary exception to allow access to the page:
When you go to the iDRAC page, you will be presented with an Untrusted error.
Click on the “I Understand the Risks” link at the bottom of the error,
Click on Add Exception… to open the Add Security Exception window.
Click Get Certificate to fill in the Certificate Status section of the Add Security Exception window.
Click to un-check the Permanently store this exception item.
Click Confirm Security Exception to close the Add Security Exception window.
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