Lifecycle Controller And Unified Server Configurator; Idrac6 Enterprise; Unified Server Configurator Features And Description - Dell PowerEdge M910 Technical Manual

Dell
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:
•
Lifecycle Controller
•
Unified Server Configurator
•
iDRAC6
•
vFlash media
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 16.
Feature
Faster O/S Installation
Faster System Updates
Update Rollback
More Comprehensive Diagnostics
Simplified Hardware Configuration

17.5 iDRAC6 Enterprise

In addition to upgrading the system with a Lifecycle Controller, iDRAC6 Enterprise offers the
following key features:
•
Graphical web interface
•
Standard-based interfaces
PowerEdge M910 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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