Start a Conversation

Solved!

Go to Solution

1 Rookie

 • 

2 Posts

114

November 7th, 2024 11:40

What does this red blinking LED indicate? Also, What are these two ports for? [Dell Precision 7820]

I am reaching out regarding an issue I am experiencing with my Dell Precision 7820 workstation. The rear of the tower features two RJ45 ports—one located in the upper section and the other in the lower section. The upper port is functioning properly, but the lower port does not. When an Ethernet cable is connected, there is no indication of activity (the port does not blink), and the Control Panel (Network and Internet > Network Connections) shows "Network cable unplugged."

Adjacent to the lower RJ45 port are two LED indicators: a green one and a red one. The green LED shows no activity, while the red LED blinks twice quickly, pauses briefly, then blinks twice again, repeating this pattern.

I have two questions:

  1. Could you please clarify what the blinking pattern signifies?
  2. Two additional ports are to the left of the red LED. What are they, and what are they used for?

Dell's official manual on this Workstation [PDF] doesn't show the parts I have described. I have attached a video (90MB, 46s) that further illustrates the issue. You can also access the video here. Please let me know if you require any additional information.

Thank you for your assistance.

4 Operator

 • 

1.4K Posts

November 7th, 2024 13:17

Hello,

that's probably a teradici pcoip remote host card ( not sure if version 1 or 2 ), to control/handle the 7820 remotely like a server remote management. You can see one here

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235507797951

The lan is to access remotely the workstation (you should get a gui). That light blinking should be the session light. Not sure about the blinking of this one. The green led above it is the heartbeat (blinks = all is good.. is beating like a heart should = alive ).

The 2 ports are mini displayports

Dell_Precision_Workstation_Remote_Access_Solution.pdf

this pdf shows how cables are connected and the whole should be installed

(edited)

4 Operator

 • 

1.4K Posts

November 7th, 2024 13:48

Edit, found a bit more info for you

Red LED = Heartbeat, notice the heartbeat symbol. This LED will normally blink indicating normal operation

Green LED = Session, notice the PCoIP symbol. This LED will be solid green when in session.

so, the blinking you see is probably normal and turns solid if a remote session starts

The red is off because the card is not configured, i guess.

Moreover

Jumper J15

This jumper will reset the host card back to factory default settings.

To reset:

  1. Place the jumper on pins 2 and 3 on a unpowered PC/host card.
  2. Power on the host PC/host card and wait until the heartbeat pulse is visible.
  3. Power down the host PC/host card.
  4. Put jumper back to pin 1-2.
  5. Power on the host PC/host card.

Jumper J25  (but ignore this one, it should be in the correct state for Dell usage)

Adjustment of the ground jumper is not normally required. The power button output from the host card is isolated so that it can be connected to the motherboard in either polarity. Some motherboards do not work with an isolated input and thus require the ground jumper to be installed. This is done by shorting pins 2-3 which requires the power cable to match polarity with the motherboard pins. When left on the default settings (pins 1-2 shorted), the polarity of the power cable is ignored as the power button is now isolated.

PS

Stressing it : it's an OPTIONAL card, and the optional drivers for windows ( it works without them too, as far as i understood ) are meant to have less latency in the remote session

(edited)

9 Legend

 • 

8.1K Posts

November 7th, 2024 13:05

That looks like a Teradici PCoIP (PC over IP) Remote Access Host Card.  Probably a Tera 2220.  Did not watch the whole video but the light patterns could signified no connection and no activity. 

The lights are Link and Activity LEDs.  The two additional ports are mini-DisplayPort video-in connectors.

1 Rookie

 • 

2 Posts

December 9th, 2024 08:37

@mazzinia_​ thank you! Just one more question, why would the device have mini displayports?

4 Operator

 • 

1.4K Posts

December 9th, 2024 11:03

@UltravioletWarlord​ to save space, I would say. Looking at the picture, the card is small enough to be converted to Low Profile if changing the metal shield

No Events found!

Top