OMSA FAQ

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EWPIT wrote:

Hi All,

Wondering if there isn't an OMSA related FAQ to explain the nuances of this family of software.

I got  the idea about ITA.

Server Administrator seems to be able to be a standalone install - great  ...or an agent of ITA - super.

 

However I am unclear on what the Managed Node is referring to....

 

A Managed node is the system that is being Managed by ITA. It will typically have a dell agent (like OMSA or OMCI) running or may be managed out-of-band (using IPMI). The system where you installed ITA is referred to is usually called as Management Station. In a common scenario, you would be monitoring dozens or hundreds of managed nodes (or managed systems) from one management station. ITA is also referred to as Systems Management Console for this reason.

 

 

What do the numbers after the version refer to (eg: A0 or A1, etc.)?

These are the version numbers. The meaning will be clear in a specific context. Example it could refer to the version of BIOS or a Firmware on the system.

 

What is the diff between Server Assistant and Server Administrator?

 

Dell Server Assistant (DSA) is the software that helps you during OS installation. It helps you pick the OS and configure RAID etc and automatically detect the required drivers etc. Server Administrator is actually Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA). It is the agent software that runs on each of the managed systems  - applicable for PowerEdge Servers.

 

How do I upgrade older server's versions of OMSA? Is the .msi on the downloads?

Go to support.dell.com, in the download section for your server you will find the latest OMSA available. I think the .msi might also be available on the DSA CD.

 

 

Are all versions of OMSA compat w/ all PowerEdges or must they be matched?

Is there a matrix of these posted somewhere?

 

The matrix is available at the below link:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/software/smsom/5.2/en/peosom/index.htm

You may want to check under Systems Management Software and Systems Management Consoles.

 

Lastly (rhetorical) why is such a good software product idea so confusingly implemented? It's as if the software was was from multiple companies or had been owned by diff parent companies or something....

Godspeed,

Jeff Solvason

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