Error SWC0242 when setting PCIe slot LFM with iDRAC9 Enterprise license

Hi
The error code SWC0242 on Dell iDRAC indicates that a required license is either missing or expired. This typically happens when the iDRAC does not have the necessary license to enable certain features, such as remote console access.

To resolve this issue, you can:

Obtain a License: Purchase the appropriate iDRAC license (Express or Enterprise) from Dell. You can do this through the Dell Digital Locker or by contacting Dell support.

Install the License: Once you have the license, you can install it using the iDRAC web interface or through RACADM commands.
If you recently acquired a used server, ensure that the iDRAC SD card is present and properly seated, as the license might be stored on it.

Firmware Incompatibility: It's possible, though less likely, that there is a conflict between your current iDRAC firmware and the license.

Troubleshhoting Steps:

Try restarting iDRAC services using racadm racreset soft or through the web interface, after re-importing your license.
Verify your firmware versions are up-to-date.
Test a default LFM value, just to see if that works.

Hi,

I wanted to share my findings regarding PCIe slot LFM (Linear Fan Mode) configuration and thermal management behavior with third-party PCIe cards.

Initial License Issue:
When attempting to set custom LFM using:

racadm set system.pcieslotlfm.2.customlfm 80

I received a license error (SWC0242). Despite having an iDRAC9 Enterprise license and the documentation suggesting only an Express license is needed, I discovered that Custom LFM configuration actually requires a Datacenter license.

Thermal Management Concerns:
I've also identified some concerning behavior with the fan control:

1. Custom/Disabled LFM Mode:
   - Third-party GPU reaches throttling temperatures
   - Fans do not respond by increasing speed
   - No automatic thermal protection engagement

2. Automatic LFM Mode:
   - Fans maintain very high speeds consistently
   - Prevents GPU from reaching throttling temperatures
   - Makes testing thermal response difficult
   - Results in unnecessary noise during low-load periods

Expected Behavior vs Reality:
I'm trying to achieve a balance where:
- Fans maintain lower speeds during idle/low load
- Fans appropriately respond to high temperatures
- Thermal protection engages before component throttling

Currently, it seems we must choose between either constant high-speed fan operation or risking component thermal throttling with no fan response.

Has anyone else experienced similar behavior? Is this the intended functionality, or could this be a firmware issue? Any suggestions for achieving better thermal management while maintaining reasonable noise levels would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your help!

UPDATE:

I've found additional behavior with the PCIe slot LFM (Linear Fan Mode) configuration. When setting slot 3 to automatic mode (both slot2 and 3 are GPUs):

```
racadm get system.pcieslotlfm.3
[Key=system.Embedded.1#PCIeSlotLFM.3]
#3rdPartyCard=Yes
#CardType=Video
CustomLFM=0
LFMMode=Automatic
#MaxLFM=520
#PCIeInletTemperature=28
#SlotState=Defined
#TargetLFM=111
```

The system is still experiencing thermal issues:
- **GPU temperature** reaches **86°C** and throttles
- Fan speed remains static at **57% PWM**
- iDRAC is not increasing fan speed despite the high temperature

This behavior seems incorrect as the iDRAC should be responding to these high temperatures by increasing fan speeds to prevent throttling.

Has anyone encountered similar behavior or found a solution?

Thank you!

Thank you for updating this thread.