Embedded Server Management; Lifecycle Controller And Unified Server Configurator; Table 28. Unified Server Configurator Features And Description - Dell POWEREDGE T310 Technical Manualbook

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16.3 Embedded Server Management

The PowerEdge 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 PSUs, the
storage backplane, integrated SAS HBA or PERC 6/I, and control panel with 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.

16.4 Lifecycle Controller and Unified Server Configurator

Embedded management is comprised of four key components:
•
Dell Lifecycle Controller
•
Dell Unified Server Configurator
•
iDRAC6 (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller)
•
vFlash (virtual flash media)
Lifecycle controller powers the embedded management features. It is integrated and tamperproof
storage for system-management tools and enablement utilities (firmware, drivers, etc.).
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 iDRAC6 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 is detailed in the following table.
Table 28.
Faster O/S Installation
Faster System Updates
Update Rollback
More Comprehensive Diagnostics
Simplified Hardware Configuration
PowerEdge T310 Technical Guide
Unified Server Configurator Features and Description
Feature 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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