Dell M910 manual Embedded Server Management, Lifecycle Controller and Unified Server Configurator

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17.3 Embedded Server Management

The PowerEdge M910 implements circuitry for the next generation of Embedded Server Management. It is Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) v2.0 compliant. The optional iDRAC (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller) is responsible for acting as an interface between the host system and its management software and the periphery devices.

The optional upgrade to iDRAC6 provides features for managing the server remotely or in data center lights-out environments.

Advanced iDRAC features require the installation of the optional iDRAC6 Enterprise card.

17.4 Lifecycle Controller and Unified Server Configurator

Embedded management is comprised of several interdependent pieces:

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Lifecycle Controller Unified Server Configurator iDRAC6

vFlash

Lifecycle controller powers the embedded management features. It is integrated and tamperproof storage for system-management tools and enablement utilities (firmware, drivers, etc.). It is flash partitioned to support multiple, future-use cases.

Dell Unified Server Configurator (USC) is a local 1:1 graphical user interface embedded on Lifecycle Controller that aids in local server provisioning in a pre-OS environment. For servers with iDRAC Express, the Lifecycle Controller offers OS install, platform updates, platform configuration, and diagnostics capabilities. For servers without iDRAC Express, this utility has limited functionality and offers OS install and diagnostics capabilities only.

To access the Unified Server Configurator, press the <F10> key within 10 seconds of the Dell logo’s appearance during the system boot process. Current functionality enabled by the Unified Server Configurator includes:

Table 13. Unified Server Configurator Features and Description

Feature	Description
Faster O/S Installation	Drivers and the installation utility are embedded on system, so no
	need to scour DELL.COM.
Faster System Updates	Integration with Dell support automatically directed to latest
	versions of the Unified Server Configurator, iDRAC, RAID, BIOS, NIC,
	and Power Supply.
Update Rollback	Ability to recover to previous ―known good state‖ for all updatable
	components.
More Comprehensive Diagnostics	Diagnostic utilities are embedded on system.
Simplified Hardware Configuration	Detects RAID controller and allows user to configure virtual disk and
	choose virtual disk as boot device, eliminating the need to launch a
	separate utility. Also provides configuration for iDRAC, BIOS, and
	NIC/LOM.

Dell PowerEdge M910 Technical Guide 39