Users Guide

Introduction 15
Management Station Software
IT Assistant
IT Assistant is a browser-based, graphical user interface (GUI) that provides
a central point of access to monitor and manage systems on a
local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). By providing a
comprehensive view across the enterprise, IT Assistant can increase system
uptime, reduce repetitive tasks, and prevent interruption during critical
business operations.
Using IT Assistant, you can:
• Identify the groups of systems that you want to manage remotely
• Consolidate your view of all systems, providing a central launch point for
systems management applications
• Create alert filters and actions that will automatically notify you when
system uptime is affected
• Create custom enterprise-wide reports that show the status of each system,
including switches, storage devices, BIOS, firmware, and driver versions
• Create customized tasks that allow you to coordinate configuration
management across the entire enterprise, including performing software
updates, shutdown and wakeup, and command line execution
• View a graphical presentation of the devices in your network, from which
you can launch applications, refresh inventory and status, and perform
troubleshooting
• Launch the following Dell systems management applications: Server
Administrator, Remote Access Controller console, Dell PowerConnect™,
Digital keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) console, printers, tapes, storage
devices, Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) devices, and
client systems.
• Load Dell Update Packages and System Update Sets into the IT Assistant
repository, then run a compliance check of all the systems in your enterprise
against the Update Packages and install necessary updates. A System Update
Set is a logical set of Dell-certified packages that work together without
problems. Dell Update Packages are available from the Dell Support website
at
support.dell.com or from the Dell Server Updates DVD.