User's Manual

1
Introduction
The Dell Lifecycle Controller provides advanced embedded systems management to perform systems management
tasks such as deploy, configure, update, maintain, and diagnose through a graphical user interface. It is delivered as
part of iDRAC7 out-of-band solution and embedded Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) applications in the
latest Dell servers. The iDRAC7 works with the UEFI firmware to access and manage every aspect of the hardware,
including component and subsystem management that is beyond the traditional Baseboard Management Controller
(BMC) capabilities.
NOTE: The UEFI environment provides the local console interface and the infrastructure for locally-managed
system components.
The Lifecycle Controller has the following components:
• GUI–based Lifecycle Controller:
– Is an embedded configuration utility that reside on an embedded flash memory card.
– Is similar to the BIOS utility that is started during the boot sequence, and can function in a preoperating system
environment.
– Enable systems and storage management tasks from an embedded environment throughout the system’s life
cycle.
• Remote Services (WS-Management) simplifies end-to-end server lifecycle management using the one-to-many
method. It interfaces for remote deployment integrated with Dell OpenManage Essentials and partner consoles. For
more information about Remote Services features, see Dell Lifecycle Controller Remote Services Quick Start Guide .
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 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. As 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.
Benefits of Using iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller
The benefits include:
• Increased Availability — Early notification of potential or actual failures that help prevent a server failure or reduce
recovery time after failure.
7