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PowerEdge R515 Technical Guide
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 PSUs, the storage
backplane, integrated SAS HBA or PERC 6/I, and control panel with 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.
15.4 Lifecycle Controller and Unified Server Configurator
Embedded management is comprised of several interdependent pieces:
• Lifecycle Controller
• Unified Server Configurator
• iDRAC6
• vFlash
Lifecycle controller powers the embedded management features. It is integrated and tamperproof storage
for system-management tools and enablement utilities (firmware, drivers, etc.). It is flash partitioned to
support multiple, future-use cases.
Dell Unified Server Configurator (USC) is a local 1:1 graphical user interface embedded on Lifecycle
Controller that aids in local server provisioning in a pre-OS environment. For servers with iDRAC Express, the
Lifecycle Controller offers OS install, platform updates, platform configuration, and diagnostics capabilities.
For servers without iDRAC Express, this utility has limited functionality and offers OS install and diagnostics
capabilities only.
To access the Unified Server Configurator, press the <F10> key within 10 seconds of the Dell logo’s
appearance during the system boot process. Table 23 details current functionality enabled by the USC.
Table 23. 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.
15.5 iDRAC Express
The optional iDRAC Express is the first tier of iDRAC6 upgrades. In addition to upgrading the system with a
Lifecycle Controller, the iDRAC6 Express offers the following key features:
• Graphical web interface
• Standard-based interfaces