Dell Repository Manager Data Center Version 2.2 User’s Guide April 2016 Rev.
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. 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. © 2016 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws.
Contents Chapter 1: Overview...................................................................................................................... 6 What is new in this release................................................................................................................................................6 Accessing documents from the Dell EMC support site..............................................................................................7 Other documents you may need................
Scheduling Repository Search..................................................................................................................................29 Scheduling Bundle Search.........................................................................................................................................30 Comparing and updating repositories............................................................................................................................31 Repository update report.
Managing Scheduled Tasks............................................................................................................................................ 59 Dell Online Catalog (Previous Versions)......................................................................................................................59 View Welcome Tab...........................................................................................................................................................
1 Overview The Dell Repository Manager (DRM) ensures that the Dell systems are up-to-date with the latest BIOS, driver, firmware, and software.
○ By using the Import Repository from Catalog file option from the Help menu. Accessing documents from the Dell EMC support site You can access the required documents in one of the following ways: ● Using the following links: ○ For Dell EMC Enterprise Systems Management, Dell EMC Remote Enterprise Systems Management, and Dell EMC Virtualization Solutions documents — https://www.dell.com/esmmanuals ○ For Dell EMC OpenManage documents — https://www.dell.
2 Updating Dell Repository Manager You can update the Dell Repository Manager to the latest available version: ● At launch ● From Help ● Using the Updater Topics: • • • Updating Dell Repository Manager at launch Updating Dell Repository Manager from help Updating Dell Repository Manager using the Updater Updating Dell Repository Manager at launch If you are an existing user of DRM, you can update the DRM to the latest version while launching the application. 1. Launch the Dell Repository Manager.
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. In the Dell Repository Manager window, click Help > Check for Newer Version. The Application Update window displays the following details: ● Summary a. b. c. d. e. Current Installed Version New Version Release Date New Release Location Release Notes ● What’s New Updating Dell Repository Manager using the Updater 1.
3 System requirements and uninstalling Dell Repository Manager This chapter lists the systems requirements and procedures to uninstall DRM.
Requirement Supported Internationalized Operating Systems Details ● ● ● ● ● Windows 2012 R2 server Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) Microsoft Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit) Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32-bit and 64-bit) Windows 10 client ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 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: If you click Cancel, a pop-up window is displayed. Click Yes to complete or No to return to the Ready to Repair the Program window. 5. Click Finish. The repaired version of the Dell Repository Manager is installed on the system.
4 Using the Dell Repository Manager You can perform the following tasks: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Setting up a Source Catalog from the DRM Welcome Page 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 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Setting up a
DUP Conventions for DRM DUPs are update packages from Dell, which help you to keep your system up to date. DUPs are application and are available in various formats; Windows 32 bit, Windows 64 bit and Linux (32 bit and 64 bit). In case you are not sure about the type of DUP that you should run in to the system, select 32 bit DUPs, since the 32 bit DUP can be applied even for 64 bit operating systems.
Configuring network settings To configure the default proxy settings for a repository: 1. In the Dell Repository Manager window, click Application > Settings > Network Settings. The Network Settings window is displayed. You have the option to select Web Download Protocol or setup Proxy Server. 2. Web Download Protocol allows you to select and enable or disable multiple protocols that can be used to download content. The options are; HTTPS, HTTP and FTP. By default HTTP and FTP are selected. 3.
● Automatically download new plugins when application is launched ● Notify me of new plugins when application is launched ● Manually check for new plugins NOTE: After you select any of these options that remain same for the next execution cycle. 4. 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 in the system.
6. Click OK to exit the Settings window. 7. Click Cleanup to start deleting the unused files, or click Cancel to exit. FileStore Cleanup helps you to remove any unused cached files from FileStore location. It takes a while to complete this process, and the window remains unresponsive during this time. If you cancel the operation in between, you may lose the data and DRM does not have the option to get those deleted files back.
Configuring New Catalog Notification To configure catalog notification: 1. In the Dell Repository Manager window, click Application > Settings > New Catalog Notification. The New Catalog Notification window is displayed. NOTE: To get automatic notification on the status of schedule search, configure and test the e-mail settings before you proceed. 2. The Email Configuration window displays the details such as default e-mail address, e-mail type, and the server details.
If you select Storage, you can select one or more from the following options: ● PowerVault If you select Network, you can select the following option: ● Force10 If you select Client, you can select the following option: ● Precision 7. Click Next. The DUP Format window is displayed. NOTE: In case you are not sure about the type of DUP that you should run in to the system, select 32 bit DUPs, since the 32 bit DUP can be applied even for 64 bit operating systems.
17. Click Close to exit the repository created window. Creating a repository with iDRAC Inventory To create an update repository for Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC): 1. In the Dell Repository Manager window, click My Repositories tab, and click New→Dell iDRAC inventory. Create Repository for Dell iDRAC dialog box is displayed. 2. Type the Name: and Description: and click Next. NOTE: Click Cancel at any time to exit without creating a new repository. The Base Repository window is displayed.
NOTE: The types of bundles or components are selected by default based on the inventory file that is being used. However, you can inter change the selections. NOTE: By default Windows x32 Bundles and Components option is selected. 9. Click Finish to create the repository. Please wait... dialog box is displayed while comparing the updates. New Repository from inventory box appears, once the new iDRAC repository is created. 10.
● Latest updates for all devices — The available updates for existing and outdated devices are added to the repository. ● Latest updates for only out-of-date devices — Only the latest updates for all outdated devices are added to the repository. 9. Click Next to close the Create Repository for Dell OpenManage Essentials window and continue. The Dell OpenManage Essentials Inventory window is displayed.
● My Custom Repositories — Allows you to select an existing repository as the base repository. The Connect to vCenter window is displayed. 4. Type the “Dell Virtual Appliance IP” or “Host:” and click Check, to check for the availability. Getting Availability of Dell Management Appliance window is displayed while checking the availability of Dell Management Virtual Appliance. 5. Use the VMware vCenter Credentials to get inventory data from a specific vCenter Server and click Connect.
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 available options are: ● Dell Online Catalog — You can import the bundle(s) and components from the Dell Online Catalog into the repositories you create. ● Previous Catalogs— Allows you to select the previous Dell catalogs. If you select this option, you have to select any of the previous catalog groups from the list and click Next.
The Base Repository window is displayed. 3. Select a source for the repository. The available options are: ● Dell Online Catalog — You can import the bundle(s) and components from the Dell Online Catalog into the repositories you create. ● Previous Catalogs — Allows you to select the previous Dell catalogs. If you select this option, you must select any of the previous catalog groups from the list and click Next. The Previous Catalog window is displayed.
● Dell Repository Manager supports by creating a fully customized repository that only includes the update packages for a user-defined system configuration. All redundant updates are filtered out. This significantly reduces the size of a custom repository, saves the resources and efforts on managing the repository.
NOTE: Username and Password are not mandatory and it is up to the respective console. The Authentication Successful window displays. 3. Click OK. The Base Repository window appears, the Console name displays DLCI for SCVMM. 4. Select a source for the repository and click Next. The available options are: ● Dell Online Catalog — You can import the bundle(s) and components from the Dell Online Catalog into the repositories you create. ● Previous Catalogs — Allows you to select the previous Dell catalogs.
● Manually Create New Repository — Allows you to create a new repository by selecting a source for the repository. ● Dell Console Integration — DRM 2.2 onwards, DRM supports Dell Console Integration. You can connect and create a repository with DLCI for SCVMM. ● Dell iDRAC Inventory — Allows you to create a new repository by using the inventory data generated by the iDRAC.
Deleting from My Repositories 1. In the Dell Repository Manager window, 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.
7. Set the start date, settings and security options in the following fields: ● Start — You can set the date and time for the automatic search. ● Settings — You can set the frequency of the schedule. ● Security Options — You can set the type of security. 8. Click Next. The Email Configuration window displays the details such as default e-mail address, e-mail type, and the server details. For more details regarding configuring and testing emails in DRM, see Configuring Email settings. 9.
8. Click Next. The Email Configuration window displays the details such as default email address, email type, and the server details. For more details regarding configuring and testing emails in DRM, see Configuring Email Settings. You can use the Notify Additional Email Accounts option to add or remove more recipients. The sender’s email address automatically gets added to the recipient’s list while sending the notification mail. 9. Click Finish to complete the process.
The update report for the selected repositories appears in the Repository Update Report window. NOTE: If you do not want to view the report, clear the Show report after update check box. 7. If you click Save As... select the location to save the report in the Where would you like to save the report? option. Click Close to return to the Update Repository window. 8. Click Close again to return to the Dell Repository Manager screen.
2. Click Yes to update the database. Please wait... dialog box appears while importing the catalog files. NOTE: To use the Source repository, a local catalog (*.cab, *.xml or *.gz) must be set as source in the Source Repository. For more information see, Configuring source repository. NOTE: When the local catalog file provided in the settings is changed (replaced with a different file), a New Source notification appears on the menu bar.
You can use Dell Repository Manager to: ● ● ● ● ● Import existing bundle(s) or manually create bundle(s). Delete existing bundle(s). Clone existing bundle(s). Compare existing bundle(s). Export bundle(s) to external repositories or deploy them to applicable systems in the form of bootable ISOs, deployment packs, driver packs, or a fully functional Server Update Utility (SUU). ● Create custom catalog and save updates to multiple location ● View and Edit Bundle Properties.
Under Network you have the following form factors: ● Dell Networking Under Client you have the following form factors: ● Precision 7. Click Next. The DUP Format window is displayed. 8. On the DUP Format window, select the operating system(s) to include the corresponding components in the repository, and click Next. ● Windows 32-bit- Allows you to select component(s) pertaining to systems running the Windows 32 –bit operating system supported by Dell Repository Manager.
● Dell Online Catalog — You can import the bundle(s) and components from the Dell Online Catalog into the repositories you create. ● Local Source Catalog — During repository creation, local source is an option/feature, to use a repository or a catalog that is available and maintained locally (can be on any accessible network) as the source repository. ● My Custom Repository — Allows you to select an existing repository as the base repository. The Select Brand window is displayed.
● No platform is specified — Selects the platform by default. ● Select specific Platform(s) — Allows you to select multiple platforms by pressing and holding and using the left-mouse button. The Summary and Finish window is displayed. This window displays the properties of the custom bundle(s) that you are about to create based on the selections you made. 23. On the Summary and Finish window, click Finish. 24. Once the bundle is created, a Success window is displayed confirming that Bundle Created...
The Please wait... dialog box is displayed while creating the new bundle. The new bundle is displayed in the bundle list after the bundle is cloned. Comparing bundles You can compare bundle(s), view and compare the DUPs that have changed in the bundle(s) you selected. To compare bundle(s): 1. In the Dell Repository Manager screen, click My Repositories tab select the desired repository, and click Open. 2. On the Bundles screen, select the bundle you want to compare. The selected bundle is the base bundle.
NOTE: You cannot cancel this process once you are selecting any of these 3 options. 8. Click Yes. Changing the component sequence You can view the Bundle Properties details of a bundle by double-clicking it or by clicking the Bundle Properties in the Task menu. You have the Name: , Version: , DUP Format: , Operating System: , Platforms: and Size: details of that particular bundle. After you click the Component Sequence tab, the list of components for that bundle are displayed.
Table 3. Bundle filters Property Description Keyword Search Filters components based on the text you provided. For example, if you provide PowerEdge, Dell Repository Manager displays all the latest repositories and components applicable to the Latitude systems. NOTE: You can enter only regular search syntax in this field. DUP Format Filters components based on the DUP format. Select the appropriate DUP format that applies to the corresponding bundle.
6. Click Next. The Summary and Finish window is displayed. 7. You have the option to Include OpenManage Server Administrator Installer with the catalog file. NOTE: Including OMSA installer with the catalog file is dynamic, the option is available if the catalog file consists OMSA. 8. Click Finish. 9. If you have selected Create Light Weight Deployment Scripts, you can select from the following Deployment Options: ● Force scripts to update regardless of version or date.
Select one of the following options: ● Create Custom Catalog and Save Updates — Saves the Repository as a catalog and downloads the related updated files to one or multiple location. ● Create Light Weight Deployment Scripts — Exports the bundle(s) in the form of deployment scripts. Select a location to save the selected bundle(s). Dell Repository Manager saves the scripts for bundle(s) pertaining to Microsoft Windows in the .bat format and Linux in the .sh format. You can then run the .bat and .
The Browse For Folder window is displayed. 7. In the Browse For Folder window, navigate to the folder on your local drive or a network drive location, where you want to export the light weight deployment script, and click OK. You have the option to Include OpenManage Server Administrator Installer with the catalog file. The Summary and Finish window is displayed with the details of the Selected Bundles and the Destination Properties. 8. Click Finish. Once you click Finish, the Please wait...
NOTE: Once you create the bootable ISO file using DRM and try to deploy the file to a server, the bootable ISO detects the server configuration automatically. The execution happens inevitably if the bundle for that server exists in to that ISO. Exporting as a Server Update Utility (SUU) You can export selected Dell recommended and/or custom bundle(s) as a fully functional SUU. To export selected Dell recommended and/or custom bundle(s) as a fully functional SUU: 1.
Working with components Dell Update Packages (DUPs) are also known as components. Also, all the non-DUPs (such as .exe, .msi, .bin, or any other file formats) files are considered as components. DUPs are executable files in a standard package format for updating a single software element on the system. DUPs are used for updating the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), firmware, RAID controller firmware, and drivers on specific platforms. The list of components you add is displayed in the Components tab.
4. Click OK to close the Component download Queued window. 5. Under the My Repositories tab, select the repository to which you want to add the component and click Open. 6. Click the Components tab, and then click Import. The Import new DUP files window is displayed. NOTE: If the files are not .exe, you need to change the file extension from .exe to .bin or any. 7. Under Selected DUP Files, click Browse. Navigate to the location where the component(s) are located and then select them.
NOTE: Select the component(s) you want to remove from the existing list, and then click Remove. 6. Select any of the following options. ● Add to repository only ● Add to repository and all the following bundles: If you are not selecting any bundle, all the bundles will be displayed under the list. You can select the desired bundles from the list. 7. Click OK or click Cancel to exit without making any changes. A Security Warning appear, do you want to accept this file? if the certificate has issued.
● Create a NEW Repository and copy component(s) into it — Exports component(s) to a new repository that you create. ● Add component(s) into an Existing Bundle in the same repository — Exports component(s) to an existing bundle in the same repository. ● Create a NEW bundle in the same repository and add component(s) into it — Exports component(s) to a bundle in the same repository. Availability depends on selected components and the supported platforms. 5.
The Summary and Finish window is displayed. d. The Summary and Finish window displays the Selected Components and the Destination Components details. Click Finish. The Copy Components window is displayed with the details of the number of components copied, the number of bundles, and the name of the new bundles. NOTE: If any error or warnings are found in the export, a message is displayed on Copy Components window. Click the Errors/Warnings button to view the details. e.
Table 5. Component filters (continued) ● BIOS ● Applications ● Utilities For example, if you select BIOS, Dell Repository Manager displays all the components that require only BIOS updates. Criticality Filters components based on the criticality of the update. The available options are: ● Optional ● Recommended ● Urgent For example, if you select Urgent, Dell Repository Manager displays all the components that you must immediately update your system with.
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.
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. Using this feature you can perform, monitor, and prioritize different jobs at the same time. The tasks can be performed using the Stop, Start, Remove, and Details tabs.
Searching Dell Support Site This feature allows the users to search for the latest updates from the Dell Support site for more than one platform. The updates can be downloaded using DRM, which save time as compared to searching the support site for individual updates related to different platforms. 1. In the Dell Repository Manager window, click Source > Search Dell Support Site. The Search Dell Support Site screen is displayed. 2.
● Create new bundle — Creates a new bundle for different platforms and operating systems with generic names. 10. The Support Files download Queued window is displayed. A Support file export job has been submitted to the Jobs Queue. 11. Click OK to close the window. Filter options for search results You can use the following filters in the Dell Repository Manager: Keyword search ● Allows you to filter the search based on the keywords that you are providing.
Dates ● Filters updates based on the selected time period. You can select from the following options: ○ Any Date — Display updates for any dates. ○ Date Range — You can assign a Start: and End: date to filter the updates periodically using this filter.
○ New files not in Dell FTP Catalog ○ All files not in Dell FTP Catalog 6. Click the Actions tab, and select one of the following options: ● Import updates to a repository in Dell Repository Manager Database — This option allows you to import updates to a new repository in the Dell Repository Manager. This option is selected by default. You can type a prefix for the new repository. By default the prefix is Repo. ● Save updates to a local repository — This option is also selected by default.
NOTE: If you select the Microsoft Exchange option, you have to provide the Sender Details and Select MS Exchange Options. NOTE: If the login credentials are different from the default credentials, you have to provide the Email ID, Password, User Name and Domain details. 6. To check the exchange server connectivity, select MS Exchange server from Select MS Exchange Options. 7. Select Auto discover URL check-box to automatically discover the URL. NOTE: Auto Discover takes 5 - 10 minutes to detect the URL.
5 Using Help in Data Center version The Dell Repository Manager Help offers you: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Online Help Topics Dell Techcenter Check for Newer Version Importing a Repository from Catalog file Managing Scheduled Tasks View Welcome Tab Copying Log Files Emailing Log Files About Topics: • • • • • • • • • • Online Help Topics Dell TechCenter Check for Newer Version Importing a Repository from Catalog file Managing Scheduled Tasks Dell Online Catalog (Previous Versions) View Welcome Tab Copying Log Fil
The Import Repository window is displayed. 2. Click Browse to navigate to the location of the file. 3. Once you select the file, click Open. The File Path Location: shows the details of the file. NOTE: DRM supports importing a repository by providing the file path location of its catalog files. The supporting catalog formats are catalog .xml, catalog.cab, or catalog.gz file. 4. Under Select the repository content to import, select one of the following.
Copying Log Files You can copy the log files that DRM has generated due to its activities, to a convenient location. To copy the log files: 1. In the Dell Repository Manager window, click the Help tab, click Copy Log Files. The Browse For Folder window is displayed. 2. You can Select a location to save the log files in a new location. You have the option to Make New Folder to copy the log files. 3. Navigate to the desired folder and click OK. 4.
