Custom ISO Installation via IPKVM: Dell Servers

Dell Servers

Applies to:

• 2x Intel(R) Xeon(R) E5-2680 v2
• 2x Intel(R) Xeon(R) E5-2690 v2
• 2x Intel(R) Xeon(R) E5-2620 v3
• 2x Intel(R) Xeon(R) E5-2699 v3
• 2x Intel(R) Xeon(R) E5-2690 v4

These systems use the Dell iDRAC web interface. The process is to open the remote console, map the ISO through Virtual Media, use the one-time boot menu, then boot from the virtual optical drive.

Before You Start

• Make sure you have IPKVM/iDRAC access credentials.
• Keep the ISO file ready on your local computer.
• Schedule downtime. Booting from a custom ISO can interrupt services, and a reinstall can erase existing data.

Step-by-Step

1. Log in to the server’s Dell iDRAC or IPKVM panel.
2. Open the remote console and click Launch.
3. In the console toolbar, click Virtual Media.
4. Under Map CD/DVD, click Choose File and select your ISO.
5. Click Map Device to attach the ISO as a virtual optical drive.
6. Close the Virtual Media window.
7. Reboot the server.
8. During startup, press F11 to open Boot Manager.
9. Select One-shot BIOS Boot Menu.
10. Choose Virtual Optical Drive from the boot device list.
11. The server will boot from the mounted ISO. Complete the operating system installation as usual.
12. After the installation finishes, disconnect the virtual media and reboot so the server starts from the installed disk.

Screenshot Reference

Click Launch from the Virtual Console Preview area.

Open Virtual Media, choose the ISO under Map CD/DVD, click Map Device, then close the window and reboot the server.

Press F11 to open Boot Manager.

Select One-shot BIOS Boot Menu.

Select Virtual Optical Drive.

Useful Notes

• In some iDRAC versions, the console may open in a separate browser window or viewer session.
• If Virtual Optical Drive does not appear, confirm the ISO is still mapped and reboot once more.
• If the server returns to the installer after setup, disconnect the ISO from Virtual Media and restart the server.