Users Guide

• Custom branding — Rebranding the interface with the customer-centric branding information.
• Provide service tag of the system
• Provisioning — Entire pre-operating system configuration from a unified interface.
• Deploying — Simplified operating system installation with embedded drivers on the Lifecycle Controller.
• Download drivers for operating system installation from one of the following sources:
– Dell FTP website at ftp.dell.com
– USB mass storage device
– Dell Lifecycle Controller OS Driver Packs DVD
– Dell Server Updates DVD
– Dell Systems Build and Update Utility DVD
– Network share
• Patching or Updates — Operating system agnostic and reduced maintenance downtime with direct access to
updates from ftp.dell.com. It simplifies firmware updates by maintaining a working version for rollback.
• Servicing — Continuous availability of diagnostics without the hard drive dependency. Ability to flash firmware
automatically while replacing field replaceable components such as a Dell PowerEdge RAID controller, NIC, or
power supply.
• Security — Supports local key encryption.
• Restoring Platform — Backup the server profile (including RAID configuration) and restore the server to a
previously known state.
Why Use Lifecycle Controller
Systems management is typically a key part of an administrator’s role. Being able to install an operating system,
updating firmware for function and policies requirements, configuring devices and getting the most out of an IT network
are integral aspects of this role. Prior to the release of Lifecycle Controller, an administrator had to use many tools such
as Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (DSA), Dell Systems Build Update Utility (SBUU), and Dell Deployment Toolkit
(DTK) shipped on multiple CDs or DVD. Maintaining and using the multiple disks in their many versions was time
consuming for the administrator.
To resolve these problems, Dell provides the Lifecycle Controller, a flash chip embedded on the system with the
Lifecycle Controller application. The Lifecycle Controller allows the IT administrator to do away with media altogether,
allowing operating system deployment with locally embedded driver repositories, firmware updates, hardware
configuration, and platform specific diagnostic routines. Since Lifecycle Controller is available even when the operating
system is not functional or even installed, it allows added flexibility in provisioning the system and customizing to suit
your requirements. As the tool is integrated and embedded, formatting or reinstalling the operating system does not
remove the tool, thus saving significant time and money.
Licensable Features in Lifecycle Controller
Lifecycle Controller features are available based on the type of license (Basic Management, iDRAC7 Express, iDRAC7
Express for Blades, or iDRAC7 Enterprise) you purchase. Only licensed features are available in the Lifecycle Controller
Web interface. For more information on managing licenses, see iDRAC7 User’s Guide . The following table provides the
Lifecycle Controller features available based on the license purchased.
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