Why Use Usc/Usc-Lce - Dell USC User Manual

• Dell Server Updates DVD
• Dell Systems Build and Update Utility DVD (for USC only).
• Network share
– Patching/Updates (USC-LCE only) — Operating system agnostic and
reduced maintenance downtime with direct access to updates from
ftp.dell.com. It simplifies BIOS and firmware updates by maintaining
a working version for rollback.
– Servicing (USC-LCE only) — Continuous availability of diagnostics
without the hard drive dependency. Ability to flash firmware
automatically while replacing field replaceable components such as a
Dell PowerEdge RAID controller, NIC, or power supply.
– Security (USC-LCE only) — Supports local key encryption.
– Restoring Platform — Backup the server profile (including RAID
configuration) and restore the server to a previously known state.
• Remote Services simplifies end-to-end server lifecycle management using
the one-to-many method. For more information, see Dell Lifecycle
Controller Remote Services User's Guide.

Why Use USC/USC-LCE?

Systems management is typically a key part of an administrator's role. Being
able to install an operating system, updating firmware for function and
policies requirements, configuring devices and getting the most out of an IT
network are integral aspects of this role. Prior to the release of USC and USC-
LCE, an administrator had to use many tools such as DSA, SBUU, and DTK
shipped on multiple CDs/DVD. Maintaining and using the multiple disks in
their many versions was time consuming for the administrator.
To resolve these problems, Dell now provides the Lifecycle Controller, a flash
chip embedded on the system with the Dell Unified Server Configurator
application (USC). The Lifecycle Controller allows the IT administrator to
do away with media altogether, allowing operating system deployment with
locally embedded driver repositories, firmware updates, hardware
configuration, and platform specific diagnostic routines. Since USC is
available even when the operating system is not functional or even installed,
it allows added flexibility in provisioning the system and customizing to suit
12
Introduction