Dell Repository Manager Data Center Version 1.
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2013 Dell Inc.
Contents 1 Overview.......................................................................................................................................7 What Is New In This Release................................................................................................................................... 7 Accessing Documents From Dell Support Site.........................................................................................................7 Other Documents You May Need..................
Functionalities Of My Repositories.................................................................................................................. 32 Opening From My Repositories........................................................................................................................ 32 Deleting From My Repositories........................................................................................................................ 33 Refreshing From My Repositories........................
Updating A Local Repository.................................................................................................................................. 58 Creating A Custom Repository Using Dell OpenManage Essentials...................................................................... 58 Scheduling Automatic Search................................................................................................................................59 Searching Dell Support Site...............................
Overview 1 The Dell Repository Manager (DRM) ensures that the Dell systems are up-to-date with the latest BIOS, driver, firmware, and software.
4. In the Choose your Dell Software section, click the required link from the following: – Client System Management – Enterprise System Management – Remote Enterprise System Management – Serviceability Tools 5. To view the document, click the required product version. NOTE: You can also directly access the documents using the following links: • For Enterprise System Management documents — dell.com/openmanagemanuals • For Remote Enterprise System Management documents — dell.
Updating Dell Repository Manager 2 You can update the Dell Repository Manager to the latest available version using the following methods: • Updating Dell Repository Manager At Launch • Updating Dell Repository Manager Using The Application Settings • Updating Dell Repository Manager Using Updater Updating Dell Repository Manager At Launch 1. Launch the Dell Repository Manager. The Dell Repository Manager checks for the latest available version of the application at ftp.dell.com.
NOTE: If you do not want the Dell Repository Manager to check for the latest available versions at launch, in the Dell Repository Manager Update Manager screen, clear the Check for new version at launch check box. NOTE: For more information on installing the Dell Repository Manager on the system, see the Dell Repository Manager Quick Installation Guide at dell.com/support/manuals. Updating The Dell Repository Manager Using The Updater 1. Click Start → All Programs → Dell Repository Manager v
System Requirements And Uninstalling The Dell Repository Manager 3 This chapter lists the systems requirements and procedures to uninstall DRM. Related Topic • Hardware Requirements • Software Requirements • Optional Requirements • Uninstalling Dell Repository Manager • Repairing Repository Manager Prerequisites For Installing The Dell Repository Manager This section lists the specific prerequisites for installing the DRM.
Requirement Details Supported Internationalized Operating Systems • • • • • • • • English French German Spanish Japanese Simplified Chinese Russian Portuguese NOTE: The Dell Repository Manager user interface is displayed only in English irrespective of the language of the operating system on which it is installed. NOTE: Internet connectivity and DVD burning software are optional requirements. You can use the Dell Repository Manager for local repositories, without Internet connectivity.
NOTE: If you click Cancel, a pop-up window is displayed. Click Yes to finish or No to return to the Ready to Repair the Program window. 5. Click Finish. The repaired Dell Repository Manager is installed on the system.
User Scenarios 4 This section describes the various features of the Dell Repository Manager (DRM) and the user scenarios.
Searching The Dell Support Site For Updates On DRM 1.6 and later, you can search the Dell support site for the latest catalog files and Dell Update Packages (DUPs) and non DUP packages. These updates can be exported to an existing or a new repository.
Export Updates To Lightweight Deployment Package LightWeight Deployment Package provides scripts (batch and shell) to apply the updates (DUP) for multiple products in an automated manner. DRM generates the batch file for the user.
DUPs. After you copy the LWDP file to the system, it provides necessary updates (drivers, BIOS, and firmware) to the system. The script provided by Dell is used to apply all the updates. For more information on Lightweight Deployment Package, see Schedule Automatic Search. The following flowchart describes the process of exporting the updates to a Lightweight Deployment Package.
Updating The Local Repository The Local Repository can be updated with the latest available updates (DUPs). The selected repository compares against the latest catalog file, which consists the latest available updates. You have the options to update the repository with all the available DUPs for the system. Also, you can choose a specific DUP as per the requirement. Different DUPs exist for newer version, changed files, obsoleted files, and other files in the source screen.
Creating Bootable CD or USB Keys For Updates You can create bootable USB keys for updates, using any third party or free tool. You can start your managed system by the bootable CD or USB storage. After the system starts up, it automatically runs the selected updates. After the update is complete, you can remove the CD or USB storage, and reboot the system to your host operating system.
• You have a server running an operating system that is not supported by Dell Repository Manager, such as Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), Solaris, or older versions of Microsoft Windows, RedHat Linux or SUSE Linux. • You are using Linux versions such as Ubuntu or Debien. • You prefer to do your updates (regardless of OS) in an out-of-band method. To create bootable USB keys, using the tool - UNetBootIn as an example: 1. Download the UNetBootIn for Windows available at http://sourceforge.
The following flow chart describes the process in detail.
Launching DRM Using Command Line Options Navigate to the location where DRM is installed in the system. By default, for 64 bit DRM is installed at c:\Program Files (x86)\Dell\Dell Repository Manager v1.7.0. For 32 bit the DRM is installed at c:\Program Files\Dell\Dell Repository Manager v1.7.0. Go to Start → Run , type cmd and press enter. Run the Dell Repository Manager using the following command: • RepositoryManager.exe -server — Launches the application in Data Center version.
NOTE: Click Resync to retrieve the updated inventory data, if you have modified or removed certain systems from the systems managed by Dell Management Virtual Appliance Host. 11. Click Next click Cancel to exit without making any changes. The Summary window is displayed. Select the options you want to include in the repository: – Windows x32 Bundles and Components – Windows x64 Bundles and Components The Please wait... dialog box appears while creating the new repository. 12.
Using The Dell Repository Manager 5 You can perform the following tasks: • Create repositories • Import legacy repositories • Update repositories • Export catalog • Export repositories • Modify repository • Work with bundles • Work with components • Search repositories based on different criterion by setting the filters • Work with jobs queue • Search Dell Support Site • Scheduling Automatic Search Related Topics • Creating A Customized Repository • Working With My Repositories
Configuring Source Repository To configure a default repository: 1. On the Dell Repository Manager screen, click Application → Settings → Source Repository. 2. In the Source Repository window, select one of the following as the default repository: – Dell online repository (ftp.dell.com) NOTE: When a new catalog file is available from dell, the New Catalog Available notification appears on the menu bar. You can import the latest catalog file using this notification.
4. 5. – Automatically download new plugins when application is launched – Notify me of new plugins when application is launched – Manually check for new plugins Under the Source of Plugin Update, select one of the following options: – Online (ftp.dell.com) — Downloads the plug-in from the FTP site. – Folder — Updates the plug-in from a local folder on your system. If you select Online (ftp.dell.com), click Download to save the plug-ins.
Creating A Customized Repository To create a new repository: 1. On the My Repositories tab, click New → Customize Repository. The Create Repository window is displayed. 2. Type the Name: and Description:. 3. Click Next. The Base Repository window is displayed. NOTE: Click Cancel at any time to exit without creating a new repository. 4. Select a source for the repository. The options available are: 5.
– Rack — Includes Dell system models of the rack mount or monolithic type of form factor. – Blade — Includes Dell system models of the blade chassis or modular type of form factor. – Tower — Includes Dell system models of the tower or monolithic type of form factor. If you select Storage, you can select one or more from the following options: – EqualLogic – PowerVault 12. Click Next. The Select OS window is displayed. 13.
– Name of the repository. – Number of Bundle(s) and Component(s). – Number of the additional component files. NOTE: Ensure that the bundle(s) and components you add to the repository belong to the specified criteria. Dell Repository Manager does not restrict you from adding components that do not belong to the specified criteria into the repository. 24. Click Close to exit the repository created window. Creating An Empty Repository To create an empty repository: 1. 2.
NOTE: You can also double-click a repository to open the repository. Deleting From My Repositories 1. Select the repository from the My Repositories list, and click Delete. Check for any open jobs in the Jobs Queue related to the repository that you want to delete. Wait until the job completes or Stop and Remove that job from the Jobs Queue before deleting. Are you sure you want to permanently delete selected repository? window appears. NOTE: You cannot stop this process once it is started. 2.
* 8. Empty field — Allows you to type the new location where you want to save the catalog file. Click Generate report, if you want to view the report of the saved catalog file. NOTE: The report is generated and saved in the same location that is specified in step 4. 9. Click Save or click Cancel to exit without making any changes. The Please wait... dialog box appears while processing the job before submission. 10. Monitor the progress from Jobs Queue, after the Export Queued window is displayed. 11.
source. This also displays the total number of files that are different among these repositories. The Summary tab is displayed by default. Newer Versions Click to view the latest versions of the updates available in the source repository. Select the check box corresponding to the system from which you want to add files to the destination repository. The source and destination files appear on the right-hand side. Select the check box corresponding to the files you want to add and click Update.
4. Click OK to apply the changes or click Cancel to exit without making any changes. Opening The Dell Online Repository To open the Dell online catalog directly: 1. On the My Repositories tab, click View Source. NOTE: By default, the source is set to Dell online repository (ftp.dell.com). You can change the source to a different repository by clicking Application → Settings → Source Repository on the Dell Repository Manager window. NOTE: You may have to provide your user credentials, if prompted. 2.
To view the inventory information of an OME or vCenter repository: 1. On the My Repositories tab, select an existing OME or vCenter repository, and click Open. 2. On the Dell Repository Manager screen, click the Inventory tab to view the list of the systems, which are retrieved from the OME or vCenter servers. 3. Click the specific platform once you have clicked, Click any platform name in order to see the Device Name, Type, and Version on the right-hand side of the window.
The list of bundle(s), created or imported, appear in the Bundles screen. You can sort the list of bundle(s) based on the name of the bundle, version, operating system, or date on which the bundle(s) were created, size, author, server generation, and brand of the bundle(s). You can view the number of bundle(s) in the list and the number of bundle(s) you select, at the top of the list. The numbers are displayed in the Selected/Total: format.
– Windows 64–bit — Allows you to select component(s) pertaining to systems running the Windows 64 bit operating system supported by Dell Repository Manager. – Linux (32–bit and 64–bit) — Allows you to select component(s) pertaining to systems running the Linux operating system supported by Dell Repository Manager. – OS Independent — Allows you to select component(s) that are independent of an operating system. The Select Model(s) window is displayed. 9.
8. On the Select OS window, select one of the following and click Next: – Select all Operating Systems – Select specific Operating Systems NOTE: The options are available only when the selected OS Type in the previous window is Windows or Linux. The Select Platform(s) window is displayed. 9. On the Select Platform(s) window, select one of the following, and click Next: – No platform is specified — Selects the platform by default.
3. – Bundle Name: Displays the bundle that you selected to be copied or cloned. – New Name: Displays the new name of the copied or cloned bundle. – Version: Displays the version of the DUP. – OS: Displays the type of the Operating System. Click Clone to create the new bundle or click Cancel to exit without making any changes. The Please wait... dialog box appears while creating the new bundle. The new bundle appears in the bundle list once the bundle is cloned.
4. Select the component(s) you want to remove from the existing list, and then click Delete. 5. You can click: 6. – Delete from all Bundles – Delete from Repository – Cancel After you have made the selection, the Bundle Disclaimer window is displayed listing all of the bundles that the deletion will change. NOTE: Bundle disclaimer window appears only for Dell bundles. 7. Click OK to continue. The following message is displayed: Some of the selected component(s) are part of a bundle.
7. Click Yes to continue or click No to exit the window. 8. If you select Yes the Bundle Disclaimer window is displayed with the following message: You are about to modify Dell recommended bundle(s). Please test the bundle(s) before deployment if you want to continue. You have the list of bundle(s) displayed under the Dell Recommended bundles window. NOTE: If you do not want to view the disclaimer, select the Do not show again during this session check box. 9.
Dell Repository Manager displays components that are operating systemindependent. Release Date Filters components based on the release date of the components. The available options are: • • • • Any Date Exact Date Prior To Most Recent For example, if you enter 12/12/2012 and select Prior to, Dell Repository Manager displays all the components released earlier than December 12, 2010.
b. Click Next. The Summary and Finish window is displayed. 8. On the Summary and Finish window, click Finish to complete the export. 9. Click OK. Bundles exported successfully. message is displayed for confirmation, click OK to close the message box. Selecting A Destination For Bundle Exports You can select an export destination for the bundle(s) in the Select Destination window. Select one of the following options: • Export to Repository — Exports the bundle(s) to a repository.
• Export as SUU — Exports a selected Dell recommended or custom bundle as a fully functional SUU. – Export as SUU to Directory — This is the extracted version of the ISO files in folder format in case if you share them or you don not want to burn a CD/DVD. – Export as SUU to ISO— Creates the standard SUU CD image, which can be burnt on a CD/DVD for further usage.
4. In the Export Bundle(s) window, click Next. The Select Destination window is displayed. 5. In the Select Destination window, select Bootable ISO (Using Linux Bundles) and click Next. NOTE: The Bootable ISO (Using Linux Bundles) option is enabled only for Linux bundle(s). The version number of the available plug-in is displayed. The Select Plugins window is displayed. 6. Click Next. The Browse For Folder window is displayed. 7.
The Select Plugins page is displayed. – Export as SUU to Directory — Creates a SUU pack in the provided directory. – Export as SUU to ISO — Creates an ISO image of the SUU pack. The system checks for availability of the latest SUU plug-in. If a plug-in is available, the version number of the plugin is displayed and the application prompts you to proceed with the exporting process.
You can view the number of components in the list, the number of components you have selected, as well as the total selected size, at the top of the list. The numbers are displayed in the Selected/Total: format. Adding Components You can add components from other bundle(s) and repositories to the bundle, or the repository you select. Before you add components, you must download them and save them to a specific location.
NOTE: For Windows DUP, the signature is embedded into the same file. If it is a Linux DUP, make sure that the relevant DUP signature file .sign is located in the same folder as the DUP file. Else, the import process will not be successfully completed. 12. Click Close. Importing Non- Dell Update Package (Non DUPs) DRM 1.7 and later, you can import non-DUP files (such as .exe, .msi, .bin, or any other file formats) to a repository or in selective bundles. To import non- DUP components: 1.
3. Click New Bundle. The Name and Version window is displayed. 4. Type the name and version of the bundle. By default, the name of the bundle is New Bundle (Windows 32-bit) for Windows 32–bit, New Bundle (Windows 64bit)for Windows 64-bit, New Bundle (Linux) for Linux it is Linux and for any other options (which is OS independent), it is New Bundle (OS Independent). Also the version number is 1.0 for all these options. 5. Click Next. The Select OS window is displayed. 6. 7.
To download components: 1. On the My Repositories tab, select the desired repository, click Open. 2. In the Components tab, select the component you want to download, and click Download File. The Browse For Folder window displayed. 3. In the Browse For Folder window navigate to where you want to save these components before adding them to another bundle or repository, and click OK. A Component download Queued window is displayed. NOTE: The job has been submitted to the Jobs Queue.
The Select Bundle(s) window is displayed. a) In the Select Bundle(s) window, select the bundle(s) be added. You can select multiple platforms by pressing and holding the key while selecting the platforms. The Copy Component Summary window is displayed. b) Click Next. The Summary and Finish window is displayed. This window displays information about the component(s) under Selected Components: and Destination Components. c) Click Finish.
To delete components: 1. On the My Repositories tab, select the desired repository, and click Open. 2. Click Components. 3. On the Components screen, select the component(s) you want to delete, and click Delete. The Delete Component(s) window is displayed. 4. In the Delete Component(s) window, select one of the following: – 5. Delete from all Bundles — Deletes the component from all the bundle. – Delete from Repository — Deletes the component from the corresponding repository.
NOTE: When you select a platform, Repository Manager displays all the applicable updates relevant to that platform. However, not all these updates may be available at www.dell.com/support. Component Version Filters components based on the version of the component. The available options are: • • • Operating System All — Displays all the components in the selected repository irrespective of the component version. Most Recent — Displays the most recent version of the component in the selected repository.
Working With Filters The Dell Repository Manager has an extensive search mechanism that allows you to query repositories, create filters, save, and load filters. Using the filtering capabilities of the Dell Repository Manager, you can view specific bundle(s) and Dell Update Packages (DUPs) from any selected repository.
• Close — Closes the Manage Filters window. Working With Jobs Queue The Jobs Queue option is available once you launch the Dell Repository Manager. Jobs Queue is a feature which is added to the Dell Repository Manager to enhance usability. You can control and perform different tasks for various repositories under the same console using this feature. With the previous versions of the DRM (until DRM 1.4) users needed to wait for one job to complete before performing another job.
Jobs Queue Details 1. Select the job from the Jobs Queue, and click Details to view the Job Execution Details. 2. Click Report tab to view the Job Details. The Job Details window displays the information on the Job Name, Repository, Job Status, Job Result, Download Path, and the information on the Files failed to download. 3. Click Log to view the timing details. 4. Click Close. Updating A Local Repository 1.
– My Repositories — Allows you to select an existing repository as the base repository. The System inventory window is displayed. 4. 5. Under Use inventory data from Dell OpenManage Essentials? option select one of the following: – Yes — To create a custom repository using the inventory option. – No — To create a custom repository without using the inventory option. Select Yes, click Connect. The Dell OME Host Details window is displayed.
• Downloading updates from Dell Support site for one or more Dell products based on the brands and service tags can be scheduled. This schedule can be used to check and download updates periodically, during the off pick hours. • The updates downloaded from the Dell Support site can be saved as a local repository which can be used with system management tools such as OpenManage Essentials, to update one or more systems.
* – 6. Linux (32–bit & 64–bit) Availability * All available files * New files not in Dell FTP Catalog * All files not in Dell FTP Catalog Click the Actions tab, and select one of the following options: – Import updates to an existing repository — This option allows you to import update files to repositories that exist in the Dell Repository Manager. – Import updates to a new repository — This option is selected by default. You can type a prefix for the new repository.
5. – Dell Update Packages — This is the default option. You can import all the DUPs to the local repository when you use the default option. – All file formats — You can download all the non DUP files to the system by choosing this option, but you cannot import other non DUP files to the local repository. Click Search. The Searching for Latest updates window is displayed. This may take several minutes to generate the list of all the updates, depending on the number of updates.
Filter Options For Search Results You can use the following filters in the Dell Repository Manager: OS Type (DUP Only) • Allows you to filter the search based on the operating system selected. The options available are: • Windows 32–bit • Windows 64–bit • Linux (32–bit & 64–bit) Criticality • Filters the component(s) based on the criticality of the update. The available options are Recommended, Urgent, and Optional.
Frequently Asked Questions 6 This section lists some frequently asked questions about the Dell Repository Manager. Where is the Dell Repository Manager runtime log located? Dell Repository Manager creates two log files at runtime: • DellRepositoryManager_Server.svclog — Data Center Version • DellRepositoryManager_Client.svclog — Business Client Version The log file is located in C:\Users\\AppData\ Local\RepositoryManager\Log. I see an update present in dell.
Why would I use the Dell Repository Manager to create the catalog that LifeCycle Controller uses, instead of just using the catalog on the Server Update Utility (SUU)? Since, SUU supports Dell systems from Dell PowerEdge 8th generation systems to the most current systems, the catalog size on SUU is greater (over 7 GB), than the catalog size on the Dell Repository Manager.
