Users Guide
1
Introduction
The Dell Lifecycle Controller provides advanced embedded systems management to perform systems management tasks such as
deploy, congure, update, maintain, and diagnose through a graphical user interface. It is delivered as part of iDRAC7 out-of-band
solution and embedded Unied Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) applications in the latest Dell servers. The iDRAC7 works with
the UEFI rmware 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 conguration utility that reside on an embedded ash 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) simplies 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 rmware
for function and policies requirements, conguring 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 ash 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, rmware updates, hardware conguration, and platform-specic diagnostic
routines. As Lifecycle Controller is available even when the operating system is not functional or even installed, it allows added
exibility 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 signicant time and money.
Benets of Using iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller
The benets include:
• Increased Availability — Early notication of potential or actual failures that help prevent a server failure or reduce recovery time
after failure.
• Improved Productivity and Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) — Extending the reach of administrators to larger numbers of
distant servers can make IT sta more productive while driving down operational costs such as travel.
• Secure Environment — By providing secure access to remote servers, administrators can perform critical management
functions, while maintaining server and network security.
7