Virtual media

Overview

Virtual Media lets you mount an ISO image to your dedicated server through the IP-KVM (BMC/IPMI) console and boot from it, for example to install your own operating system. The image behaves like a disk inserted into the server, so you can run an installer or a recovery environment remotely.

Availability and the exact steps depend on the data center and the server platform. The steps in this manual are shown on Dell iDRAC as an example; on other platforms the general flow is similar, though menu names and their order may vary. To open the IP-KVM console itself, see Connecting to iDRAC KVM; this manual covers only mounting an image once you are inside the console.

Availability by data center

Virtual Media support differs by data center:

• DC2, DC3, DC7: supported.
• DC4: supported on standard offers; not available on budget solutions.
• DC1: not available directly. Our support team handles it manually (mounts the image and provides access on request).

For DC7, IPMI access is provided on request.

Before you start

• You need access to the server IP-KVM console. See Connecting to iDRAC KVM for how to open it.
• Prepare the ISO image you want to mount. In the standard case you upload it from your own computer.

How to access Virtual Media

You reach Virtual Media directly through IPMI. Depending on the data center and platform this is usually a button in the console, and in some cases a link or a support request:

• DC2, DC3, DC4: in the standard case you connect and mount the image yourself from your computer.
• DC1: the image is mounted through support. We upload the image and give you the control to boot from it.
• DC7: IPMI access on request; once you have access, you mount the image yourself.

If you run into platform-specific issues on DC1 or DC7, contact support and we will assist.

Mounting an image (Dell iDRAC example)

The steps below show the process on Dell iDRAC. Other servers may use a different platform, and the exact menu names and order may vary, but the general flow is the same: open the console, attach the ISO, then boot from it. Menu items may also differ slightly between iDRAC versions. On DC1, these steps are performed by support rather than by you; the walkthrough is provided so you can follow what happens.

1. Open the server IP-KVM console (see Connecting to iDRAC KVM).
2. Launch the Virtual Console, then open Virtual Media.
3. Choose Connect Virtual Media, then Map CD/DVD and select the ISO image from your local computer.
4. Confirm the mapping. The image is now attached to the server as a virtual optical drive.
5. Reboot the server and set the next boot to the virtual media (Next Boot, Virtual CD/DVD), or select it from the boot menu.
6. When you finish, unmap the image and set the boot order back to the normal disk.

Limitations

Performance (mount speed, session behavior, and similar) depends on the server platform and the quality of your connection. If you run into a problem, contact support.