Reference Guide

Item
Type (e.g. Flash PROM,
EEPROM)
Can user programs or
operating system write
data to it during normal
operation?
Purpose? (e.g. boot
code)
Primary BIOS SPI Flash
SPI
Interface via PCH
Software write
protected
Not possible with any
utilities or applications and
system is not functional if
corrupted/removed.
iDRAC SPI Flash
SPI interface via iDRAC
Embedded iDRAC
Subsystem firmware
actively controls sub area
based write protection as
needed.
User cannot clear
completely. However, user
data, lifecycle log and
archive, SEL, fw image
repository can be cleared
via delete configuration
and retire system,
accessible in Lifecycle
controller interface.
BMC eMMC
NAND Flash interface via
iDRAC
Embedded FW write
protected
User cannot clear
completely. However, user
data, lifecycle log and
archive, SEL, fw image
repository can be cleared
via delete configuration
and retire system
accessible in Lifecycle
controller interface.
CPU Vcore and Memory
regulator
Programmed at factory via
I2C
No write protect
User cannot clear.
Vmem Regulators
Programmed at factory via
I2C
no write protect
User cannot clear.
System CPLD RAM
Not utilized
Not accessible
Not accessible.
System CPLD FLASH
Firmware update
BIOS Security Protocols
User cannot clear.
System Memory: RDIMM
and LRDIMM
System OS
OS Control
Reboot or power down
system.
System Memory:
NVDIMMM-N
When system initiates a
Save (AC loss, shutdown,
etc.)
NVDIMM-N controller will
transfer data from DRAM
to Flash.
Neither system nor OS can
access the flash, only a
system initiated Save will
trigger the NVDIMM-N
controller to transfer data
from DRAM to flash.
Using BIOS menu option,
select NVDIMM factory
reset.
Internal USB Key
USB interface via PCH.
Accessed via system OS
No write protect
Can be cleared in system
OS.
CPU
Various
Various
Remove A/C.
iDRAC DDR
iDRAC Firmware
No write protect
Remove A/C.
iDRAC
iDRAC Firmware
No write protect
Remove A/C.
PIROM
SMBus interface to iDRAC
128 bytes protected by
Intel/128 bytes not
protected
User cannot clear.
Recovery BIOS SPI
SPI interface via iDRAC
No write protect
User cannot clear.
NOTE: For any information that you may need, direct your questions to your Dell Marketing contact.