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8 Dell EMC PowerEdge Updates Best Practices Guide (BPG)
Note—If an update is identified as urgent, it is recommended that the update be applied as soon as possible.
Consult any readme files and/or related documentation for more information.
How to deploy updates is usually a matter of personal preference. A large consideration is determining
whether or not to deploying to multiple servers at once or to one server at a time.
The advantage of deploying to multiple servers is that entire groups of serves can be update based upon the
maintenance schedule that you have set. However, there are instances where an individual server requires
updates.
Dell OpenManage Enterprise is recommended for deployments to multiple servers, while there are several
methods (remote web GUI, scripting) that take advantage of each Dell server’s embedded iDRAC with
Lifecycle Controller for single server deployment.
The Dell EMC Advantage: Both OpenManage Enterprise and iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller can utilize the
same baseline configuration, which will ensure that your servers have a consistent configuration.
1.3.1 Updating multiple servers—OpenManage Enterprise
OpenManage Enterprise provides the features and functionality to deploy updates to many servers
simultaneously. It will determine the best method to deploy the update using Dell’s embedded update
capabilities in iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller.
OpenManage Enterprise will inventory the systems in your data center, compare it against the Baseline you
have established using Dell EMC Repository Manager and select the appropriate updates to deploy to bring
your systems into compliance with your Baseline.
If a server drifts from the defined Baseline, you will be alerted and can take the necessary actions to bring it
back into compliance.
The Dell EMC Advantage: Dell EMC Repository Manager integrates with OpenManage Enterprise to assist in
the creation of the initial baseline, as well as the identification of newer updates that are available.
1.3.2 Updating a single server—iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller
There are times where a single or small number of servers need to be updated. Dell EMC provides an easy
means to update these boxes through using the remote access capabilities of iDRAC to access the Lifecycle
controller and perform the updates.
From iDRAC you can logon using the virtual console feature to provide access to the server. From here you
can access the embedded Lifecycle Controller and select the update option to perform your updates. The
option allows you to easily select the location of your baseline and bring the system up to compliance.
The Dell Advantage: iDRAC7, iDRAC8, iDRAC9 Staged Firmware Update feature allows for the server to
deploy updates to a server(s). The staged update feature can be set to get its updates from the same
Baseline that was created using Dell EMC Repository Manager and leveraged by OpenManage Enterprise.
This provides a means of keeping systems all at the same levels.
Conclusion: Dell EMC provides easy to use tools that integrate together, allowing for easy development and
implementation of a good update strategy.