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PowerEdge R210 II Technical Guide
16.3 Embedded Server Management
The PowerEdge R210 II implements circuitry for the next generation of Embedded Server
Management. It is Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) v2.0 compliant. The optional
iDRAC (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller) is responsible for acting as an interface between
the host system and its management software and the periphery devices. These periphery devices
consist of the power supplies, the storage backplane, the integrated SAS HBA or PERC 6/I (PERC
H700), and the control panel with LCD display.
The optional upgrade to iDRAC6 provides features for managing the server remotely or in data center
lights-out environments.
Advanced iDRAC features require the installation of the optional iDRAC6 Enterprise card.
16.4 Dell Lifecycle Controller and Unified Server Configurator
Embedded management is comprised of several interdependent pieces:
• Dell Lifecycle Controller
• Unified Server Configurator
• iDRAC6
Dell Lifecycle Controller powers the embedded management features. It includes integrated and
tamper-proof storage for system-management tools and enablement utilities (firmware, drivers,
etc.). For servers with iDRAC6 Express, the Lifecycle Controller offers pre-OS server deployment, OS
installation, platform updates, platform configuration, and diagnostics capabilities. For servers
without iDRAC6 Express, this utility has limited functionality and offers OS installation and
diagnostics capabilities only.
Dell Unified Server Configurator (USC) is a graphical user interface (GUI) that aids in local server
provisioning in a pre-OS environment. To access the Unified Server Configurator, press the <F10> key
within 10 seconds of the Dell logo appearance during the system boot process. Table 19 details
current functionality enabled by the USC.
Table 19. Unified Server Configurator Features and Description
Feature
Description
Faster O/S Installation
Drivers and the installation utility are embedded
on system, so no need to scour Dell.com.
Faster System Updates
Integration with Dell support automatically
directed to latest versions of the Unified Server
Configurator, iDRAC, RAID, BIOS, NIC, and Power
Supply.
Update Rollback
Ability to recover to previous ―known good state‖
for all updatable components.
More Comprehensive Diagnostics
Diagnostic utilities are embedded on system.
Simplified Hardware Configuration
Detects RAID controller and allows user to
configure virtual disk and choose virtual disk as
boot device, eliminating the need to launch a
separate utility. Also provides configuration for
iDRAC, BIOS, and NIC/LOM.