How do I use iDRAC to start a Virtual Console?

One of the main benefits of having an iDRAC configured on your server is that it allows you to stat a Virtual Console. To start a virtual console through iDRAC, first log in to the control panel, and then press Launch within the Virtual Console Preview Section.

A jnlp file will now be download.

Please note that some older version of iDRAC will name the file “viewer.jnlp([iDRAC’s IP address]@0@idrac…)”; if this is the case, you will have to rename the file to remove everything within the brackets, so the file is just called “viewer.jnlp”.

Now open up the viewer.jnlp file.

The iDRAC virtual console uses the Java application to work. What happens now depends on your Java version and the Java setup on the PC you are accessing the iDRAC on. Depending on the Java settings, a Security Warning box may now appear. If this is the case press Continue. Then a couple of options to run the application may appear; press Run until the virtual console starts.

The virtual console should now start. You can now use this Virtual Console to perform tasks such as troubleshooting, the operating system installs and system configuration.

Due to recent Java updates, there is compatibility issues between iDRAC remote console sessions and some versions of Java, which can cause an error to show when trying to start a remote console session. If this is the case, please use the “I receive an error when trying to access my iDRAC’s Remote Console; how can I fix this?” section of our FAQ to see how to address this issue.

If you have any further questions about iDRAC or Remote Management, please look through our FAQ section. If our FAQ page does not have the answer, please feel free to raise a support ticket, and we will be happy to help.