Dell Embedded Management

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’s 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) PowerEdge Servers, Dell offers Embedded Management, which resolves the inefficiencies and issues associated with the traditional 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, “Instant On” deployment that is more efficient, secure, and user-friendly for IT administrators.

Embedded management is comprised of several aspects. One of these aspects, Unified Server Configurator (USC), is a graphical user interface (GUI) for operating system install, updates, configuration, and for performing diagnostics, on single, local servers. Another aspect of embedded management concerns remote services. 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 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 1GB 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:

New with Lifecycle Controller 1.2

The recent introduction of Dell Lifecycle Controller 1.2 demonstrates the continuing evolution and enrichment of Dell’s Embedded Management strategy. Lifecycle Controller 1.2 builds upon capabilities delivered in earlier releases by adding remote services capabilities for operating system installation, integration with the consoles of leading industry partners, and GUI enhancements. The Remote Services capabilities of Lifecycle Controller 1.2 focus on enabling automated discovery by management consoles. This allows the console to install an operating system on a network share using drivers embedded on Lifecycle Controller, to install a custom operating system image on a network share, and to boot from a service image on network share. This “Instant On” methodology is in contrast to one of the currently most pervasive ways of provisioning a platform remotely, i.e. by using PXE (Pre Execution Environment) protocols. Provisioning with PXE protocols forces the administrator to create staging environments. Staging environments add security concerns and increase the time taken to deploy the server. By providing a way to boot to a pre-OS environment, Lifecycle Controller 1.2 resolves the security concerns, saves time and effort, and allows the administrator to put the system directly into the datacenter’s production environment thereby turning the platform over to productive work faster and more efficiently.

Lifecycle Controller Remote Services – Key Functions

Greater Standardization

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 1.2 Features and Benefits