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Using The System Setup And Boot Manager

System Setup enables you to manage your system hardware and specify BIOS-level options. The following keystrokes provide access to system features during startup:

Keystroke

Description

<F2>

Enters the System Setup.

<F10>

Enters System Services, which opens the Dell Lifecycle Controller 2 (LC2). The Dell LC2

 

supports systems management features such as operating system deployment, hardware

 

diagnostics, platform updates, and platform configuration, using a graphical user interface. The

 

exact LC2 feature set is determined by the iDRAC license purchased. For more information, see

 

the Dell LC2 documentation.

<F11>

Enters the BIOS Boot Manager or the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Boot

 

Manager, depending on the system's boot configuration.

<F12>

Starts Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) boot.

From the System Setup, you can:

Change the NVRAM settings after you add or remove hardware

View the system hardware configuration

Enable or disable integrated devices

Set performance and power management thresholds

Manage system security

You can access the System Setup using the:

Standard graphical browser, which is enabled by default

Text browser, which is enabled using Console Redirection

To enable Console Redirection, in System Setup, select System BIOS Serial Communication screen Serial Communication, select On with Console Redirection.

NOTE: By default, help text for the selected field is displayed in the graphical browser. To view the help text in the text browser, press <F1>.

Choosing The System Boot Mode

System Setup enables you to specify the boot mode for installing your operating system:

BIOS boot mode (the default) is the standard BIOS-level boot interface.

UEFI boot mode is an enhanced 64-bit boot interface based on Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specifications that overlays the system BIOS.

You must select the boot mode in the Boot Mode field of the Boot Settings screen of System Setup. Once you specify the boot mode, the system boots in the specified boot mode and you then proceed to install your operating system from that

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Dell T320 owner manual Choosing The System Boot Mode

T320 specifications

The Dell PowerEdge T320 is a versatile tower server designed to meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses. It is engineered to handle a variety of workloads, from data storage and virtualization to basic web serving and productivity applications. With a blend of performance, reliability, and expandability, the T320 serves as a robust solution for organizations looking to enhance their IT infrastructure.

One of the standout features of the T320 is its use of Intel's Xeon E5-2400 series processors, which deliver outstanding computing power and efficiency. Supporting up to two processors, this tower server can be configured to handle demanding tasks effectively. The ability to support up to 768GB of DDR3 memory through its 12 DIMM slots ensures that the T320 can manage memory-intensive applications, making it well-suited for data analytics and virtualization.

Storage capacity is another significant advantage of the T320. It comes equipped with up to eight 3.5-inch drives, which can be configured for RAID to enhance data protection and performance. The server supports both SATA and SAS drives, allowing for a range of options when it comes to speed and capacity. Additionally, a built-in PERC controller facilitates RAID configuration and monitoring, providing an additional layer of security for critical data.

The T320's design focuses on scalability, featuring several expansion slots for PCIe add-in cards. This allows businesses to grow their server capabilities over time, adding components such as graphics cards or network interface cards as needed. Furthermore, the server includes integrated 1GB Ethernet ports, facilitating easy connectivity within a network.

In terms of management and monitoring, the Dell PowerEdge T320 features the integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC), which provides out-of-band management capabilities. This allows IT administrators to remotely manage and monitor server health and performance, reducing the need for physical access and streamlining maintenance tasks.

Moreover, the T320 emphasizes energy efficiency. With Dell's Energy Smart technologies, the server is designed to minimize power consumption and heat production while maintaining high performance. This not only contributes to lower operational costs but also supports environmentally friendly practices.

Overall, the Dell PowerEdge T320 is an efficient and reliable tower server that provides businesses with the performance and flexibility needed to manage various workloads. Its robust features, combined with Dell's commitment to quality and service, make it a valuable asset for companies looking to improve their IT operations.