Users Guide

Data Center Version 1.8 User’s Guide and the Dell Repository Manager Business Client Version 1.8 User’s Guide
available at dell.com/support/manuals.
Lifecycle Controller provides module update support through iDRAC. It is recommended to update the CMC firmware before updating the
server component firmware modules. After updating the CMC firmware, in the CMC Web interface, you can update the server
component firmware on the Chassis Overview > Server Overview > Update > Server Component Update page. It is also
recommended to select all the component modules of a server to be updated together. This enables Lifecycle Controller to use its
optimized algorithms to update the firmware, reducing the number of reboots.
To update the server component firmware, using the CMC Web interface, click Chassis Overview > Server Overview > Update >
Server Component Update.
If the server does not support the Lifecycle Controller service, the Component/Device Firmware Inventory section displays Not
Supported. For the latest generation servers, install the Lifecycle Controller firmware and update the iDRAC firmware to enable the
Lifecycle Controller service on the server. For earlier generation servers, this upgrade is not possible.
Normally, the Lifecycle Controller firmware is installed using an appropriate installation package that is executed on the server operating
system. For supported servers, a special repair or installation package with an .usc file extension is available. This file enables you to
install the Lifecycle Controller firmware through the firmware update facility available on the native iDRAC Web browser interface.
You can also install Lifecycle Controller firmware through an appropriate installation package executed on the server OS. For more
information, see the Dell Lifecycle Controller User’s Guide.
If Lifecycle Controller service is disabled on the server, the Component/Device Firmware Inventory section displays
Lifecycle Controller may not be enabled.
Server Component Update Sequence
In case of individual component updates, you must update the firmware versions for the server components in the following sequence:
• iDRAC
• Lifecycle Controller
• Diagnostics (optional)
• OS Driver Packs (optional)
• BIOS
• NIC
• RAID
• Other components
NOTE:
When you update the firmware versions for all the server components at one time, the update sequence is
handled by Lifecycle Controller.
Enabling Lifecycle Controller
You can enable the Lifecycle Controller service when turning on a server:
• For iDRAC servers, on the boot console, to access System Setup, press the <F2> key.
• On the System Setup Main Menu page, go to iDRAC Settings > Lifecycle Controller, click Enabled. Go to the System Setup
Main Menu page and click Finish to save the settings.
Canceling System Services enables you to cancel all scheduled jobs that are pending and remove them from the queue.
For more information about the Lifecycle Controller and supported server components, and device firmware management, see:
• Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services Quick Start Guide.
• delltechcenter.com/page/Lifecycle+Controller.
The Server Component Update page enables you to update various firmware components on the server. To use the features and
functions on this page, you must have:
• For CMC: The Server Administrator privilege.
• For iDRAC: The Configure iDRAC privilege and Log in to iDRAC privilege.
In case of insufficient privileges, you can only view the firmware inventory of components and devices on the server. You cannot select
any components or devices for any type of Lifecycle Controller operation on the server.
Updating Firmware
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