Dell OMCI Connection Problems

Here's a download for the "client driver", I have never use this though, so I'm not sure if that's all you'll need:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=r74660&fileid=97451

I've already downloaded and installed this, the installation appears to go well and it installs a service, which enables ok.  On trying to perform the discovery from the IT Assistant side, there are errors under the SNMP troubleshooting test.  One error is that the IT Assistant can't communicate with the IP address of the workstation with OMCI installed and another mentions something about the community name.

The community name is correct, I already have 10 servers configured with the IT Assistant.

I can't see what else I've missed.  I can ping the device and it is on the domain.

ok i found this:

Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation (OMCI) is a Dell developed software application that enables relationship desktops, workstations, and mobile clients to be remotely managed. The OMCI package is available only for OptiPlex, Dell Precision and Latitude product lines. OMCI collects system information from a number of different sources including BIOS, CMOS, SMBIOS, SMI, OS APIs, DLLs and registry settings on the system that it is installed on. It then exposes that information through the Microsoft CIMOM interface. This allows any standards based management console that supports WMI, to collect system information from Dell clients. When used in conjunction with Dell''s IT Assistant, configurable settings can be modified remotely without visiting the client machine. OMCI allows IT Administrators to remotely collect asset information, modify CMOS settings, proactively receive notification of potential fault conditions, and be advised of potential security breaches.

Systems Management: Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation 7.5, Application, Windows 2000, Windows Vista 32-bit, Windows XP, Multi Language, Multi System, v.7.5.0.630, A00



This part here:

>>>It then exposes that information through the Microsoft CIMOM interface. This allows any standards based management console that supports WMI, to collect system information from Dell clients.

Does this ring a bell for you at all?

I know how this works and what it does, I just can't get it to communicate properly.  IT Assistant can detect the the workstation (somehow) but doesn't get all of the information that it should.  It doesn't store the workstation under 'Workstations', it goes into 'Unknown Devices'.

I have attached an error message that shows the SNMP error, as I mentioned previously - all of the SNMP configurations are the same and OMCI is supposed to work with Dell IT Assistant.

I have also enabled all WMI services (on both the servers and workstations) this morning in an effort to resolve this.

Thanks everyone.
SNMP-ITAssistant-Error001.JPG

Ok my last suggestion I got is to make sure your ports are functioning between the server and workstations:

# Ensure that the following ports are open on the firewall:

    * TCP 80/443 (Web and SSL)

    * TCP 6389 (Navisphere CLI)

    * UDP 161/162 (SNMP and bi-directional)

I found that reading through the user manual:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/software/smitasst/8.0.1/en/ug/configur.htm


There's a bunch more configuration and "best practices" in there, have you gone through them?

I've read all of that document and many more and still can't get it going, I have installed an additional service which is WMI for SNMP and I still don't get the connection that I need.  This is obviously working for the servers which makes me think that the community names are OK.  I have a GET and SET community name configured as Read Only and Read Write respectively.

I also found a DNS problem that I identified and resolved.  

One of my main concerns is that there is nothing to configure on the client machines (except for the SNMP Service).

When I run the troubleshooting tool, I tells me that it can't connect to CIM, there is a port problem and that the SNMP community names aren't permitting anything to happen.

I've attached an output of the troubleshooting tool.  There is a lot of reference to the troubleshooting tools on the web but I can't seem to find any corrective actions.
Troubleshooting-Output-26-Jun-20.JPG

What about lan connectivity issues? Are your servers and client computers on the same subnet? Is there a router in between?

The servers and workstations are all on the same subnet.  I ping between them as well.

This afternoon, I changed the port number in the troubleshooting diagnostics menu and changed the port to  (i think) 4995.  I came across this port because I installed OMCC, with this I can see the information I need to but IT Assistant still doesn't recognise the workstations as workstations.

I also have OMCI installed on the client machine, whilst reading to I concluded that even though I had OMCI installed, I needed OMCC as the connection mechanism.  This didn't work although I did appear to have made more progress.

I think one of the main problems is that CMI isn't configured properly and there is some issue with SNMP although I've done everything in all the literature to no avail.  Bearing in mind this all works fine for the servers with the same SNMP configuration.

That's rough, unfortunately that's kinda how DELL works :D I had a horrific time upgrading our PowerEdge SC430. It would not get past a post screen with SATA raid cards installed, w/o a bios update... Then even with the BIOS update, I had to shuffle PCI slots. In the end I NEVER got windows to install, on the raid array - the Dell Server, will not do it. I eventually hooked a SATA HDD by itself for the C: partition, then once windows was installed, I was able to install the RAID driver, and get the array working. I find it totally unacceptable that Dell servers are not compliant with non-dell raid cards. You could build a server out of the cheapest crap parts, and have it actually function better than these "professional" systems. I'd say stop banging your head against the desk and let it go - not the answer you were looking for I know....

I understand what you're saying but I need a solution.  I'm sure that I'm not the first person to try and achieve this.  I am pretty sure that the configuration of the CIM protocol is incorrect

Have you called dell support?

Ah that makes sense, glad you got it working!