Users Guide

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Maintain
Using Lifecycle Controller, you can maintain the health of a system throughout its lifecycle by using the features such as Part
Replacement Conguration and Platform Restore.
Platform Restore
Lifecycle Controller allows you to create a copy (image le) of the server's prole on the vFlash SD card attached to the server. The
server prole backed up on a vFlash SD card contains the server component conguration and rmware installed on various
components only on the server where the card is located. The backup image le does not contain any operating system or hard disk
drive data. For more information about the supported components, see Supported Components. For better security, Lifecycle
Controller allows you to detach the vFlash SD card and keep it in a safe location, or you can copy the server prole (backup image)
that is stored on the vFlash SD card to any USB drive or an external network share. Therefore, whenever the rmware is corrupted,
conguration changes are incorrect, or the motherboard is replaced, you can use the backup image to restore the server to its
previously-stored prole. The following features are provided:
• Backup Server Prole — Use this feature to create the server prole on a vFlash SD card that is attached to the server.
Lifecycle Controller can create the server prole only on the vFlash SD card.
• Export Server Prole — Use this feature to export the server prole that is stored on the vFlash SD card to a USB drive or a
network share (CIFS or NFS).
• Import Server Prole — Use this feature to restore the backup image from the vFlash SD card, USB drive, or a network share
(CIFS or NFS).
• Import Server License: Use this feature to import an iDRAC license from a network share or a USB drive.
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 Server Prole Backup Image
The server prole backup image le contains:
• Readable
– System identication 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 conguration information
– User name and password for RAID controller and BIOS
– Component certicates
– Licenses
– Signature to validate that backup le is not been tampered and was generated by Lifecycle Controller
The server prole backup image le does not contain:
• Operating system or any data stored on hard disk drives or virtual drives
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