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PowerEdge R510 Technical Guide 69
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.).
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 iDRAC6 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. Current functionality enabled by the Unified Server
Configurator is detailed in the following table.
Table 30. 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 iDRAC6 Express
The optional iDRAC6 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