User's Manual

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.