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Description

This article describes how to get Console Access on a Cloud Server.

The process to get Console Access is identical for MCP 1.0 and MCP 2.0 Data Center locations.

The Console Access feature allows you to troubleshoot your Cloud Server if an OS or VM Network failure occurs. Using this feature, you will be able to Console into your server to address issues which may render the Cloud Server unreachable via RDP or SSH.

We have received reports that there is a vSphere limitation which produces double characters in certain browsers. To avoid the double character issue, please use the following browsers/versions:
From:

  • Windows machine:  Microsoft Internet Explorer v. 10.0.19 and later. or Google Chrome v. 34 and later
  • Mac OS: Google Chrome v. 34 and later

Currently, there is no fix for this, but the above-listed browsers/versions have been tested and are working properly
For more information, see Characters are repeated when typing on the Web Console of a VM

Prerequisites:

  1. The Cloud Server's Data Center location needs to be enabled for Virtual Console Access. For details, see: How do I Identify Hardware Specifications and Capabilities Available in a Data Center Location
  2. The Cloud Server must be running (started). See How to Manage a Cloud Server
    1. Note: If you are troubleshooting a Server startup issue, you can reboot and/or reset a Cloud Server after opening a Console session. However, the Cloud server must be in a Started state when initially opening the Console session. 
  3. Only the Primary Administrator or a Sub-Admin with the Server role can access Virtual Console.
  4. Virtual Console can only be accessed through the CaaS Admin UI. There are no APIs available to enable Console sessions outside of CloudControl's UI.
  5. Your browser will need to allow popups in order to open the Console window. 
  6. If the Server has been tagged with the "Managed Server" Special Trait, you cannot get virtual console access to that Cloud Server

Content / Solution:

  1. From the Home page, select the Data Center where the Server to which you want to gain Console access is located:


  2. The Data Center dashboard will be displayed. Select the Network Domain (MCP 2.0) or Network (MCP 1.0) on which the Cloud Server on which you want to gain Console Access is located:


  3. The Network Domain (MCP 2.0) or Network (MCP 1.0) dashboard will be displayed. Select the Server on which you want to gain Console Access:


  4. The Server Dashboard will be displayed. Click on the Console button in the menu on the left side of the screen:

    Note: Your browser MUST allow popups in order to open the Console window. Otherwise, the system will display an error message:


  5. It may take a few seconds for the session to be enabled. Do not press any key combination (such as Ctrl-Alt-Delete) while the session is being established. Once the session is established, you will see a screen with a blue row with the IP address of the Cloud Server:

    1. Windows Servers

      Once the session is established, click anywhere in the Console session window during the Console launch to bring up or activate the Console screen. Assuming you don't have an active Console window, click the 'Send Ctrl-Alt-Delete' button to bring up the login screen and log in using your Cloud Server Admin credentials. Note that the 'Send Ctrl-Alt-Delete' button should only be used for Windows Servers.

    2. Linux Servers

      Once the session is established, click anywhere in the Console session window to bring up or activate the Console screen. (You may also need to hit Enter during the Console launch.) Next, you can use the Linux Console command line to log into your Cloud Server.


  6. IMPORTANT NOTES:

    1. Remember to log out when you finish your work in Console.

    2. You cannot copy the URL from the new frame and paste it in a new window. If you do so, you will get a "page not found" error:

    3. To disable a Linux system from rebooting automatically when <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del> keys are pressed, see Disable Linux System from Rebooting when CTRL ALT DELETE is Pressed

    4. The Console window will close automatically if idle for 2 minutes.

Managed Server Special Trait

A Server tagged with the Managed Server special trait is a normal Cloud Server that has been marked for internal management (for example, as part of a managed service contract) and as such has limited access for User management, but is managed through additional services available through your service provider.


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