Cmc Failsafe Mode; Active Cmc Election Process; Obtaining Health Status Of Redundant Cmc; Configuring Front Panel - Dell PowerEdge VRTX User Manual

CMC Failsafe Mode

Similar to the failover protection offered by the redundant CMC, the PowerEdge VRTX enclosure enables the fail-safe
mode to protect the servers and I/O module from not functioning. The fail-safe mode is enabled when a CMC is not in
control of the chassis. During the CMC failover period, or during a single CMC management loss:
• You cannot turn on the newly installed servers.
• You cannot remotely access existing servers.
• Server performance reduces to limit power consumption until management of the CMC is restored.
The following are some of the conditions that can result in CMC management loss:
• CMC removal — Chassis management resumes after replacing CMC, or after failover to standby CMC.
• CMC network cable removal or network connection loss — Chassis management resumes after the chassis fails
over to the standby CMC. Network failover is only enabled in redundant CMC mode.
• CMC reset — Chassis management resumes after CMC reboots or chassis fails over to the standby CMC.
• CMC failover command issued — Chassis management resumes after the chassis fails over to the standby CMC.
• CMC firmware update — Chassis management resumes after CMC reboots or chassis fails over to the standby
CMC. It is recommended that you update the standby CMC first so that there is only one failover event.
• CMC error detection and correction — Chassis management resumes after CMC resets or chassis fails over to
the standby CMC.
NOTE: You can configure the enclosure either with a single CMC or with redundant CMCs. In redundant
CMC configurations, if the primary CMC loses communication with the enclosure or the management
network, the standby CMC takes over the chassis management.

Active CMC Election Process

There is no difference between the two CMC slots; that is, slot does not indictate precedence. Instead, CMC that is
installed or started first, assumes the role of an active CMC. If AC power is applied with two CMCs installed, CMC
installed in CMC chassis slot 1 normally assumes the active role. The active CMC is indicated by a blue LED.
If two CMCs are inserted into a chassis that is already turned on, automatic active- or standby negotiation can take upto
two minutes. Normal chassis operation resumes when the negotiation is complete.

Obtaining Health Status of Redundant CMC

You can view the health status of the standby CMC in the web interface. For more information about accessing CMC
health status in the web interface, see

Configuring Front Panel

You can configure the following:
• Power button
• LCD
• DVD drive
Viewing Chassis Information and Monitoring Chassis and Component Health.
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