User's Manual

Maintain

Using Lifecycle Controller, you can maintain the health a system throughout its lifecycle by using the features such as

Part Replacement Configuration and Platform Restore.

Platform Restore

Lifecycle Controller allows you to create a copy of the server's profile on the vFlash SD card attached to the server. The

server profile includes the server component configuration and firmware installed on various components on the server.

For more information about the supported components, see Supported Components. For better security, Lifecycle

Controller allows you to detach the vFlash SD card and keeps it in a safe location, or you can copy the server profile

(backup image) that is stored on the vFlash SD card to any USB drive or an external location. Therefore, whenever the

firmware is corrupted, configuration changes are incorrect, or the motherboard is replaced, you can use the backup

image to restore the server to its previously-stored profile. The following features are provided:

• Backup Server Profile — Use this feature to create the server profile on a vFlash SD card that is attached to the

server. Lifecycle Controller can create the server profile only on the vFlash SD card.

• Export Server Profile — Use this feature to export the server profile that is stored on the vFlash SD card to a

USB drive or a network share (CIFS or NFS).

• Import Server Profile — Use this feature to restore the backup image from the vFlash SD card, USB drive, or a

network share (CIFS or NFS).

NOTE: The feature is licensed. Acquire the license to enable the feature. For more information about acquiring and

using the licenses, see the

iDRAC7 User’s Guide

About Backup Image

The backup image file contains:

• Readable

– System identification information such as model number and service tag. For example, R720 and

1P3HRBS.

– Date and time the backup was last taken

– Currently-installed hardware inventory information

– Firmware for each component

• Encrypted

– Component configuration information

– User name and password for RAID controller and BIOS

– Component certificates

– Licenses

– Signature to validate that backup file is not been tampered, and was generated by Lifecycle Controller

The backup image does not contain: