Dell PowerEdge VRTX Technical Manual page 34

Upgrade options after point of sale (APOS)
You can evaluate and purchase upgrades from Dell from your iDRAC web interface with no need to
install additional hardware. You have a choice of ordering either the software-only license, or
ordering an Enterprise license that includes an 8GB or 16GB vFlash SD card. The vFlash is factory
installed, but requires a license key for activation. You may also purchase and use a non Dell-
supplied SD card if you need more memory. You can create multiple partitions on the SD card, but
individual partition size is limited to 4GB.
Agent-based systems management
Most systems management solutions require software agents to be installed on each compute node
in order to be managed within the IT environment. Additionally, the systems management agent is
often used as a local interface into the hardware health and may be accessed remotely as a
management interface, typically referred to as a one-to-one interface. For customers that prefer to
use agent-based management solutions, Dell provides OpenManage Server Administrator software
as an alternative to embedded, agent-free systems management.
OpenManage Server Administrator
The Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) agent provides a comprehensive, one-to-one
systems management solution for both local and remote servers and their storage. OMSA can help
simplify single-server monitoring with a secure CLI or web interface. It can also be used to view
system configuration, inventory, health and performance.
Agent-free embedded systems management
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Dell PowerEdge 12 generation servers include embedded server management via the onboard
iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller, so in many cases there is no need to install an OpenManage
systems management software agent into the operating system running on a Dell PowerEdge VRTX
system. This greatly simplifies and streamlines monitoring and management for these platforms.
Dell OpenManage consoles
Chassis Management Controller console
As mentioned previously, the Dell CMC is a systems management hardware and software solution
for managing multiple VRTX server nodes and chassis. The CMC is a hot-pluggable module inserted
inside the VRTX chassis. Dell also offers an option to install a second redundant CMC module within
the VRTX chassis. The CMC provides a secure interface that allows an IT administrator to inventory,
perform configuration and monitoring tasks, remotely power on/off server nodes, and enable alerts
for events related to the VRTX chassis, server nodes and components, shared storage and
networking within the VRTX system. The CMC uses iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller to perform
management functions, such as opening a remote console session from the CMC interface.
As Table 15 shows, additional advanced functionality is available with the default Enterprise CMC
license as opposed to an Express license for CMC. CMC licensing is required in addition to iDRAC7
with Lifecycle Controller licenses. Each Dell PowerEdge server module within the VRTX platform
must have an iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller license, either Enterprise or Express, in the equivalent
level (Enterprise or Express license) for the CMC. The CMC is used to manage the VRTX platform,
not just the server modules, so separate licenses are required.
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PowerEdge VRTX Technical Guide