We primarily use out-of-band features within the Dell Blade Chassis, which is great, but we also have a few stand-alone servers with iDRACs. They are definitely handy to have, especially with the ability to mount virtual media. I have experienced a handful of issues with servers not booting, hardware errors, etc. (over many years) that was a result of a bad DRAC, but not enough to sway me from using them.
If mounting virtual media is not a requirement, I would look again at the cost comparison between IP KVMs and individual DRACs for each server. I don't know what the exact costs are for DRACs, but I dont think a 16 port IP KVM would cost much more than 16 DRACs. You also need to factor in a dedicated switch port for the DRAC vs. a single port an IP KVM. Centralized management may be another consideration. I think some of the IP KVM offerings allow multiple switches to be daisy chained that can be managed through a single interface. - Sean On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 9:39 AM, Fred Sawyer <[email protected]>wrote: > Is anyone using either the IDRAC6 Enterprise or Express. From what I am > reading the Express card offers a basic web-interface that can be used to > remotely reboot that machine. Where the Enterprise version offers remote > ability to mount media as well as direct console access. > > I am trying to figure out how reliable the Enterprise card is for remotely > supporting a server. From a cost analysis the IDRAC Enterprise options is > more affordable then a TCP/IP KVM such as a Raritan. > > All feedback is greatly appreciated! > > Cheers, > > Fred > > .. > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ > ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
