Systems Management; Overview; Server Management; Embedded Server Management - Dell PowerEdge R515 Technical Manual

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15 Systems Management

15.1 Overview

Dell aims on delivering open, flexible, and integrated solutions that help you reduce the complexity of
managing disparate IT assets by building comprehensive IT management solutions. Combining Dell
PowerEdge Servers with a wide selection of Dell-developed management solutions gives you choice and
flexibility, so you can simplify and save in environments of any size. To help you meet your server
performance demands, Dell offers Dell OpenManage™ systems management solutions for:
•
Deployment of one or many servers from a single console
•
Monitoring of server and storage health and maintenance
•
Update of system, operating system, and application software
Dell offers IT management solutions for organizations of all sizes—priced, sized, and supported right.

15.2 Server Management

A Dell Systems Management and Documentation DVD are included with the product. ISO images are also
available. A brief description of available content:
•
Dell Systems Build and Update Utility: Dell Systems Build and Update Utility assists in OS install and
pre-OS hardware configuration and updates.
•
OpenManage Server Administrator: The OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) tool provides a
comprehensive, one-to-one systems management solution, designed for system administrators to
manage systems locally and remotely on a network. OMSA allows system administrators to focus on
managing their entire network by providing comprehensive one-to-one systems management.
•
Active Directory Snap-in Utility: The Active Directory Snap-in Utility provides an extension snap-in to
the Microsoft Active Directory. This allows you to manage Dell specific Active Directory objects. The
Dell-specific schema class definitions and their installation are also included on the DVD.
•
Dell Systems Service Diagnostics Tools: Dell Systems Service and Diagnostics tools deliver the latest
Dell optimized drivers, utilities, and operating system-based diagnostics that you can use to update
your system.
•
eDocs: The section includes PDF files for PowerEdge systems, storage peripheral, and OpenManage
software.
•
Server Update Utility: In addition to the Systems Management Tools and Documentation, customers
have the option to obtain Server Update Utility DVD. This DVD has an inventory tool for managing
updates to firmware, BIOS and drivers for either Linux or Windows varieties.

15.3 Embedded Server Management

The PowerEdge R515 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.

15.4 Lifecycle Controller and Unified Server Configurator

Embedded management is comprised of several interdependent pieces:
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