Concept Guide
• WS-Man: The Web Services For Management (WS-Man) API, rst published by the DMTF in 2008, is the most mature and robust API
provided by iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller. WSMAN uses a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) with data modeled using the
Common Information Model. WS-Man provides interoperability between management applications and managed resources, and
identies a core set of web service specications and usage requirements that expose a common set of operations central to all
systems management.
• IPMI: The Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) was created in 1998 by an industry group led by Intel including Cisco, Dell,
Hewlett-Packard, NEC Corporation, SuperMicro and Tyan. Currently the most widely used API for server management, IPMI is a
message-based, hardware-level interface specication that can operate over both LAN and serial interfaces. IPMI is supported broadly
by server vendors, systems management solutions and open source software.
• SNMP: The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) was created by the IEEE in 1990 to standardize the management of
network devices. With the advent of X86 servers in the early 1990’s, SNMP emerged as the rst standardized API for server
management, allowing commercial management consoles created for monitoring network switches and routers to also monitor X86
severs. SNMP is primarily used to deliver event messages to alert administrators of problems on their systems but can also be used to
discover, inventory and congure servers.
To assist automating system management tasks and simplify API integration, Dell provides PowerShell and Python libraries and script
examples utilizing the WS-Man interface. In addition, the Dell Techcenter website iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller pages oer a library of
technical white papers detailing the use of the embedded management APIs. For more information, see www.delltechcenter.com/
iDRACand www.delltechcenter.com/LC.
Dell Consoles
Dell OpenManage Essentials
Dell OpenManage Essentials is the one-to-many management console for monitoring Dell HW infrastructure including server, storage and
networking, as well as for lifecycle management of Dell PowerEdge servers. OME provides a simple and easy interface for system
administrators to maximize the uptime and health of Dell systems. It helps to:
• Monitor health status and events for Dell PowerEdge servers, EqualLogic or MD series storage, and Dell PowerConnect and Force 10
switches.
• Provide hardware-level control and management for Dell PowerEdge server, blade system, and internal storage arrays.
• Support Windows, Linux, VMware, and HyperV environments.
• Link and Launch element management interfaces, such as, iDRAC, CMC, EQL group manager etc
• Integrate with the following Dell solutions:
• Dell Repository Manager — Builds customized server update baselines that OpenManage Essentials can use.
• OpenManage Power Center — Optimize power consumption in the servers.
• Dell SupportAssist – Enables automatic hardware failure notication to be sent securely to Dell technical support for intelligent
analysis and diagnosis to optimize availability and reduce manual intervention. This solution is available as part of Dell ProSupport
and ProSupport Plus at no additional cost.
• Provide REST interface API support for 3
rd
Party Integration.
• Manage Server Conguration, it is a fee-based license available on Dell’s 12th and 13th generation of PowerEdge servers with iDRAC
Enterprise or iDRAC Express licenses. The key features include the following:
• Congure a server or chassis using a template and deploying an operating system on the 12th or 13th generation of Dell PowerEdge
bare metal servers.
• Detect and notify automatically the PowerEdge server or chassis drift from a customer-dened baseline conguration during a
server operation.
• Boot a system from a network-mounted ISO using iDRAC.
• Replicate of FN-IOM and M-IOA congurations within M1000e chassis.
• Support VLAN Management for FN-IOM and M-IOA.
For complete information, see delltechcenter.com/OME.
Systems Management Product Overview
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