Embedded Server Management; Dell Lifecycle Controller And Unified Server Configurator; Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller; Unified Server Configurator Features And Description - Dell PowerEdge T310 Technical Manual

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16.2 Embedded Server Management

The T310 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. These periphery devices consist of the power
supplies, the storage backplane, the integrated SAS HBA or PERC 6/I (PERC H700), and the control
panel with LCD display.
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.

16.3 Dell Lifecycle Controller and Unified Server Configurator

Embedded management is comprised of several interdependent pieces:
•
Dell Lifecycle Controller
•
Unified Server Configurator
•
iDRAC6
Dell Lifecycle Controller powers the embedded management features. It includes integrated and
tamper-proof storage for system-management tools and enablement utilities (firmware, drivers). For
servers with iDRAC6 Express, the Lifecycle Controller offers pre-OS server deployment, OS
installation, platform updates, platform configuration, and diagnostics capabilities. For servers
without iDRAC6 Express, this utility has limited functionality and offers OS installation and
diagnostics capabilities only.
Dell Unified Server Configurator (USC) is a graphical user interface (GUI) that aids in local server
provisioning in a pre-OS environment. To access the Unified Server Configurator, press the <F10> key
within 10 seconds of the Dell logo appearance during the system boot process. Table 21 details the
current functionality enabled by the USC.
Table 21.
Feature
Faster O/S Installation
Faster System Updates
Update Rollback
More Comprehensive Diagnostics
Simplified Hardware Configuration

16.4 Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller

The integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC6) provides IT Administrators comprehensive yet
straightforward management of remote servers, by delivering ―as if you are there‖ presence and
control. iDRAC6 helps users to save time and money by eliminating travel to the remote server(s),
PowerEdge T310 Technical Guide

Unified Server Configurator Features and Description

Description
Drivers and the installation utility are embedded on system, so no
need to scour Dell.com.
Integration with Dell support automatically directed to latest
versions of the Unified Server Configurator, iDRAC, RAID, BIOS,
NIC, and Power Supply.
Ability to recover to previous ―known good state‖ for all
updatable components.
Diagnostic utilities are embedded on system.
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.
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