Specifications

33 PowerEdge M420 Technical Guide
The Dell OpenManage systems management portfolio includes powerful hardware and software
management tools and consoles. OpenManage simplifies the lifecycle of deploying, updating,
monitoring, and maintaining your Dell PowerEdge servers.
The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 7 (iDRAC7) with Lifecycle Controller is the heart of the
2
nd
generation of Dell PowerEdge server embedded management functionality. In addition to
enabling agent-free management, iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller provides remote access to the
system—whether or not there is a functioning operating system running on the server. These
embedded features improve all aspects of a typical server lifecycle. Table 19 describes the functions
and benefits of iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller.
Feature
Function
Benefit
Out of band
(OOB)
iDRAC7 offers real-time OOB discovery,
inventory, deployment monitoring,
alerting and updates for servers and
internal storage
Manage servers independent of the OS type
or status—even if an OS is not installed
Single code base
All server types have the same embedded
management hardware and firmware
Simplified and consistent maintenance
across server platforms
Dedicated
GigE port
(PowerEdge
rack and tower
systems)
Gigabit Ethernet replaces 10/100 on
predecessor iDRAC6
Fast throughput for better performance;
compatibility with setup for switches
Email alerts
Simplified, more informative, and
expanded coverage than previous
versions of iDRAC
More detail allows IT administrators to be
more efficient in diagnosing and remediating
an issue; alerts include a direct, embedded
URL in the email notification to further speed
resolution
vFlash media
Enabled with iDRAC7 Enterprise
Allows for use of a non-Dell SD card
Enhanced power
management
Integration with Intel Node Manager
provides data center level power
monitoring and capping
(requires iDRAC7 Enterprise)
Fine tune data center power policies,
capping, and usage; report on historical
power usage by rack, row or room using
Power Center Manager
Electronic
licensing
To obtain a software license key for
iDRAC7 Express for Blades or iDRAC7
Enterprise after server purchase, submit a
request to purchase a software
license key through the Dell Licensing
Portal or with a Dell sales representative
If iDRAC7 Express for Blades or iDRAC7
Enterprise is ordered during initial point of
sale, license key is installed. If Basic
Management is ordered during initial point of
sale, customer must request a license key
through the Dell Licensing Portal.
For most server models, embedded server
management and electronic licensing
enables feature enhancements that do not
require installation of additional hardware or
system downtime.