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Lifecycle Controller

Faster, More Efficient, More Secure Local and Remote Deployment
Server management is advancing with Dell’s embedded management strategy. When we examined common management tasks, and the inefficiencies associated with them, we discovered something interesting – it wasn’t the tools that were making these management tasks take so long, it was how they were delivered. The most common activities, like provisioning, deploying, and updating, required multiple tools, multiple forms of media, and scouring the Web for the latest enablement tools, like drivers and firmware. This traditional delivery model resulted in an inefficient use of time, potential for error, and potential exposure to security risks.

With the introduction of the 11th-generation (11G) Dell™ PowerEdge™ servers, Dell offers Embedded Management, which resolves the inefficiencies and issues associated with the traditional, media-based systems management delivery model. Dell’s embedded management houses the tools and enablement pieces for management directly on the server, allowing administrators to perform a complete set of provisioning functions from a single, intuitive interface. Dell’s embedded management enables zero-media, low touch deployment that is more efficient, secure, and user-friendly for IT administrators.

Lifecycle Controller is the engine for advanced embedded management and is delivered as part of iDRAC Express in the new, 11th-generation Dell PowerEdge servers (“Dell 11G servers”). It includes 1 GB of managed and persistent storage that embeds systems management features directly on the server, thus eliminating the media-based delivery of system management tools and utilities needed for systems management. Lifecycle Controller’s delivery model simplifies the server lifecycle management experience, from provisioning, to deployment, patching/updates, servicing as well as user customization. It also reduces the time taken to accomplish tasks, reduces potential for error, enhances security, and results in more efficient enterprise management.

For example, a study by Principled Technologies, an independent evaluator of IT technologies, determined that embedded management on PowerEdge servers reduced OS install time by one-third compared to on HP servers using HP SmartStart. (Full report is available on Principled Technologies web site, http://www.principledtechnologies.com or directly at http://www.principledtechnologies.com/clients/reports/Dell/DellUSCvsHPSmartStart.pdf ).

Embedded management is comprised of several aspects.

Unified Server Configurator (USC) aims at local 1-to-1 deployment via a graphical user interface (GUI) for operating system install, updates, configuration, and for performing diagnostics, on single, local servers. This eliminates the need for multiple option ROMs for hardware configuration
Remote Services are standards-based interfaces that enable consoles to integrate, for example, bare-metal provisioning and one-to-many OS deployments, for servers located remotely. Dell’s Lifecycle Controller takes advantage of the capabilities of both USC and Remote Services to deliver significant advancement and simplification of server deployment.
Lifecycle Controller Serviceability aims at simplifying server reprovision and/or replacing failed parts and thus reduces maintenance downtime.

Unified Server Configurator, local 1-to-1 deployment

Basic device configuration (RAID, NIC and iDRAC) via simple wizards
Diagnose the system using embed Diagnostics utility
OS install by unpacking the drivers for the user selected OS.
- Drivers are embed for systems with iDRAC Express, Lifecycle Controller
- Drivers are available on Systems Management Tools and Documentation media for systems with Baseboard Management Controller (BMC)
Advanced device configuration for NIC and BIOS. This is available only in systems with iDRAC Express
Update BIOS, firmware and stage updated drivers by directly connecting to relevant updates on ftp.dell.com. This is available only in systems with iDRAC Express
Roll back firmware to a last known good state. THis is available only in systems with iDRAC Express
Supports 7 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean) ·
New in 1.3 (Released on 12/22/09)
- Configure provisioning server for auto discovery of iDRAC
- Report the vFlash media status
- Enable part replacement and configure automatic firmware flash
- Configure BIOS boot order o Check for compatible BIOS, IDRAC and Lifecycle Controller versions
- Configure Self-encryption disk drives

Lifecycle Controller Remote Services, remote 1-to-many deployment available on systems with iDRAC Express, Enterprise

Auto-discovery of bare metal systems. iDRAC can be configured in factory or using USC to connect and authenticate to a provisioning console
Operating system install
- Install OS on the discovered system using drivers resident on the Lifecycle Controller
- Install custom OS image – allows users to install OS that does not have the desired drivers on the Lifecycle Controller
- Install OS by booting from service image on a network share
Integration into Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager and BMC Software BladeLogic Operations Manager consoles
WSMan interfaces can be used to integrate into home-grown consoles and script
New in 1.3 (Released on 12/22/09)
- Custom Factory Install of Auto-Discovery Security Certificates and Provisioning Server Name/Address
- WS-Man Interface for changing Auto-Discovery Certificates and re-initiation of Auto-Discovery
- Remote out-of-band instant Firmware Inventory of installed and available firmware images
- Bare metal out-of-band updates – Remotely initiate offline BIOS, firmware and driver pack update and schedule updates

Serviceability available on systems with vFlash media

New in 1.3 (Released on 12/22/09)
- Part replacement – Automatic firmware flash for field/customer replaceable components in the system
- Pre-OS image staging on vFlash – Boot to a pre-OS image (such as, WinPE) stored on vFlash

Lifecycle Controller is developed on the industry-standard Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) platform and Web Services for Management (WSMan) interfaces, providing an open environment for console integration. Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager and BMC Software BladeLogic Operations Manager consoles have integrated the Remote Services features of Lifecycle Controller 1.2, thus offering the benefits of those features to existing infrastructures where those consoles are installed.

Summary: Lifecycle Controller 1.3 Features and Benefits

FEATURES	BENEFITS
Simplified system management experience	Fewer products, less media, and better automation.
Greater standardization	Developed on a UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) platform and WSMan (Web Services for Management) interfaces, the Unified Server Configurator GUI delivers better integration and automation.
Media-less operation	No external media required for driver pack, update process or diagnostics.
Secure process	The system and data are protected by multiple layers of security validation.
Reduced downtime	The number of reboots is minimized during the update process.
More efficient	The install inventory eliminates the manual time required to determine the current configuration or needed updates. Available updates are automatically detected and updated.
Remote Services	Auto-discovery of embedded drivers reduces potential for error, eliminates media load time, and allows new platforms to be turned over to production work faster.

White Papers and Resources

Unified Server Configurator: IT and Systems Management Overview
By Shelli Allgood, Anand Narayanan, Hai Phung, Pritesh Prabhu, and Ganesh Viswanathan

Unified Server Configurator Security Overview
By Raja Tamilarasan, Wayne Liles, Marshal Savage, and Weijia Zhang

Creating a USB Storage Device for Updates
By Scott Hanson

Lifecycle Controller Remote Services Overview
Newly Updated for Lifecycle Controller 1.3 - Released December 2009
By Jon Hass, Andy Butcher, and Raja Tamilarasan

Dell CIM Profiles and MOF Files
Use Lifecycle Controller to remotely manage your server using WS-Management

Lifecycle Controller 1.3 Web Services Interface Guide
Newly Updated for Lifecycle Controller 1.3 - Released December 2009
WinRM CLI examples for remote OS Deployment, Firmware Inventory and Update, Part Replacement Configuration

Repairing or Updating the Lifecycle Controller (LCC) and Unified Server Configurator (USC)
By Dan Rusek

Dell Auto-Discovery Network Setup Specification
Instructions for setting up your network for Auto-Discovery and related troubleshooting information

Scripting the Dell Lifecycle Controller
Learn how to use VBscript and PowerShell to execute WSMan commands to manage the Lifecycle Controller

Unleashing the power of vFlash in the Dell PowerEdge iDRAC
By Corey Affield

Overview Demonstration

Download .WMV version of this demo.

Platform Updates Demonstration

Download .WMV version of this demo

OS Installation Demonstration

scott_hanson	Latest page update: made by scott_hanson , Feb 2 2010, 1:40 PM EST (about this update About This Update Edited by scott_hanson view changes - complete history)
	Keyword tags: 11g systems management More Info: links to this page

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advhawk

Where can I download the update file for USC Platform Update?

Jan 29 2010, 5:13 PM EST by scott_hanson

Thread started: Jan 22 2010, 9:32 AM EST Watch

http://www.delltechcenter.com/page/Updates+using+USB+with+Lifecycle+Controller

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claytonli

Where can I download the update file for USC Platform Update?

Jun 24 2009, 5:33 PM EDT by scott_hanson

Thread started: Jun 15 2009, 2:07 AM EDT Watch

Hi,

Dose there anyone know what should I download from Dell download URL if I want to update BIOS, firmware, driver through USC Platform Update and using USB key? Please help, Thanks!

Regards

Clayton