10. Using Ilo Virtual Media - NEC iLO 5 User Manual

10. Using iLO Virtual Media

iLO Virtual Media
iLO Virtual Media provides a virtual device that can be used to boot a remote host server from
standard media anywhere on the network. Virtual Media devices are available when the host
system is booting. Virtual Media devices connect to the host server by using USB technology.
When you use Virtual Media, note the following:
• An iLO license key is required to use some forms of Virtual Media.
• You must have the Virtual Media privilege to use this feature.
• Only one of each type of virtual media can be connected at a time.
• The Virtual Media feature supports ISO images of up to 8 TB. The maximum ISO image file
size also depends on factors such as the single file size limit for the file system where the
ISO image is stored and the SCSI commands the server OS supports.
• In an operating system, an iLO Virtual Floppy/USB key or Virtual CD/DVD-ROM behaves like
any other drive. When you use iLO for the first time, the host operating system might
prompt you to complete a New Hardware Found wizard.
• When virtual devices are connected, they are available to the host server until you
disconnect them. When you are finished using a Virtual Media device and you disconnect it,
you might receive an "unsafe device removal" warning message from the host OS. You can
avoid this warning by using the operating system feature to stop the device before
disconnecting it.
• The iLO Virtual CD/DVD-ROM is available at server boot time for supported operating
systems. Booting from a Virtual CD/DVD-ROM enables you to perform tasks such as
deploying an operating system from network drives and performing disaster recovery of
failed operating systems.
• If the host server OS supports USB mass storage devices or secure digital devices, the iLO
Virtual Floppy/USB key is available after the host server OS loads.
You can use the Virtual Floppy/USB key when the host server OS is running to upgrade
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drivers, create an emergency repair disk, and perform other tasks.
Having the Virtual Floppy/USB key available when the server is running can be useful if
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you must diagnose and repair the NIC driver.
The Virtual Floppy/USB key can be the physical floppy disk, USB key, or secure digital
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drive on which the web browser is running, or an image file stored on a local hard drive
or network drive.
For optimal performance, NEC Corporation recommends using image files stored on the
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hard drive of your client PC or on a network drive accessible through a high-speed
network link.
• If the host server operating system supports USB mass storage devices, the iLO Virtual
CD/DVD- ROM is available after the host server operating system loads.
You can use the Virtual CD/DVD-ROM when the host server operating system is running
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to upgrade device drivers, install software, and perform other tasks.
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