Dell Lifecycle Controller 1.3 User Manual
Dell™ Lifecycle Controller
Version 1.3
User Guide
Notes and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of
your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if
instructions are not followed.
__________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2009 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these material in any manner whatsoev er without the written permission of Dell Inc.
is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft, Windows,
and Windows S erver are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or
other countries; Red Hat, Red Hat Linux, and Red Hat Enter prise Linux are re gistered trademarks of
Red Hat, Inc. in the United States and other countries; SUSE is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.
in the United States and other countries; Intel is a registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the
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Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming
the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and
trade names other than its own.
December 2009
Contents
1Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2 Unified Server Configurator and Unified
Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller
Enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
What’s new in USC/USC-LCE 1.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Common Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Remote Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Unified Server Configurator (USC)
USC-LCE
USC and USC-LCE Support for: . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Launching the Product
Using the Wizards
Disabling USC or USC-LCE
Canceling a Request to Enter System Services . . 17
Using USC Settings Wizard
Deploying the Operating System Using the OS
Deployment Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Hardware Diagnostics
Repairing USC
Repairing USC - LCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
. . . . . . . . . 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
How to Upgrade to an iDRAC6 Express Card
Installing the iDRAC6 Express Card
Transferring an iDRAC6 Express Card
Removing the iDRAC6 Express Card
. . . . . . . . 29
. . . . . . . . 30
. . . . . . 29
. . . . . . . 30
Contents 5
Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller
Enabled Unique Features
Updating USC - LCE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Updating the Platform using the Platform Update
Wizard
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Rolling Back to Previous BIOS and Firmware
Versions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Hardware Configuration
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Part Replacement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Configuring a Local FTP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Requirements for a Local FTP Server
. . . . . . . . 59
Creating the Local FTP Server Using Dell Server
Updates DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Creating the Local FTP Server Using Dell Repository
Update Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Accessing Updates on a Local FTP Server
. . . . . 60
3 Remote Service Features . . . . . . . . . . . 63
6 Contents
Configuring a Local USB Device
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Creating the Local USB Repository Using Dell Server
Updates DVD
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Creating the Local USB Repository Using Dell
Repository Update Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Web Services for Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
What’s New in Remote Services 1.3 . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Auto-Discovery
Configuring DHCP/DNS
Auto-Discovery Configuration
Auto-Discovery Workflow
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
. . . . . . . . . . . 68
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Connecting Directly to Provisioning Server for
Handshake
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Remotely Reinitiating Auto-Discovery in New
Environments
Using Custom Certificates
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Remote Firmware Inventory
Instant Firmware Inventory
Supported Devices
Remote Update
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Benefits of Remote Update
Supported Devices
Scheduling Remote Update
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
. . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Remote Scheduling Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Remote Operating System Deployment . . . . . . . . . 81
Remote Operating System Deployment Main Features
Remote Operating System Deployment Interface . 81
Operating System Deployment Typical Use Case
Scenario
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Staging and Booting to Operating System Image
on vFlash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Part Replacement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
A Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked
Questions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
81
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Frequently Asked Questions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Contents 7
8 Contents
1
Overview
In order to provide new and robust server management capabilities,
the Unified Server Configurator/Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle
Controller Enabled (USC/USC-LCE) software product has been enhanced to
include additional remote services functionality. Since this addition allows for
a comprehensive approach to server management, the entire set of software
components is now called Dell™ Lifecycle Controller.
The Lifecycle Controller software
Dell Remote Access Controller 6 (iDRAC6) Express card and the Unified
Extensible Firmware Infrastructure (UEFI) system firmware. The iDRAC6
works together with the UEFI firmware to access and manage every aspect of
the hardware, including component and subsystem management that is beyond
the traditional BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) capabilities.
Remote server management is accomplished using the network for
programmatic web services, while command line (CLI) and graphical user
interfaces (GUI) are provided by the iDRAC6 card in an operating system-and
system-power-state independent manner. The UEFI environment provides the
local console interface, and the infrastructure for locally and remotely managing
system components.
The remote services functionality enables consoles, such as the Dell Management
Console (DMC) and partner consoles, to access Lifecycle Controller features in
a pre-operating system environment. USC/USC-LCE provides an
solution on the local server to assist with provisioning in a pre-operating
system environment.
components are built upon the integrated
embedded
Remote Services
Remote services are accessible over the network using a secured web services
interface and can be programmatically utilized by applications and scripts.
Remote services enables existing consoles to perform one-to-many bare metal
server provisioning. The combination of a new Auto-discovery feature to
identify and authenticate the attached Dell system to the network and
integration with one-to-many management consoles reduces the manual
steps required for server provisioning. Additionally, remote services provides
remotely accessible operating system deployment related features that
Overview 9
simplifies the tasks involved in operating system and driver installation.
For more information on the features supported by the remote services
provisioning solution, see "Remote Service Features."
Unified Server Configurator (USC)
Unified Server Configurator (USC): Base-level product that uses BMC and
provides operating system deployment, hardware diagnostics, and USC
settings capabilities.
Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller Enabled (USC - LCE):
Full-featured product that uses iDRAC6 Express and Enterprise cards, and
provides platform updates, hardware configuration, operating system
deployment, hardware diagnostics, USC settings, dedicated NIC port,
virtual KVM, and virtual media capabilities. Dell systems series 200-500
can be upgraded to USC-LCE. For more information, see your
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
For information on the supported systems and operating systems, see the Dell
Systems Software Support Matrix.
See the Glossary at support.dell.com/manuals for terms used in this
document.
USC or USC - LCE displays features that are supported by the system,
depending on your system configuration. See "Table 1-1" for more details.
10 Overview
Table 1-1. Product Classification
Dell
System
Series
100 No Options Embedded BMC USC
200 to
500
Options
Standard Embedded BMC USC
Optional
Available Remote
System Management
Device
Embedded BMC +
iDRAC6 Express
Card
Embedded BMC +
iDRAC6 Express
card +
iDRAC6 Enterprise
card
USC or
USC-LCE
USC-LCE
USC-LCE
Available Features
BMC - Operating System
Deployment, Hardware
Diagnostics, USC Settings
BMC - Operating System
Deployment, Hardware
Diagnostics, USC Settings
BMC - Operating System
Deployment, Hardware
Diagnostics, USC Settings
iDRAC6 Express - adds
Platform Update,
Hardware Configuration,
Driver Repository
BMC - Operating System
Deployment, Hardware
Diagnostics, USC Settings
iDRAC6 Express - adds
Platform Update,
Hardware Configuration,
Driver Repository
iDRAC6 Enterprise - adds
Full Remote Management,
Dedicated NIC port,
Virtual KVM, Virtual Media,
Virtual Flash
Overview 11
Table 1-1. Product Classification
(continued)
Dell
System
Series
600 to
900
* For Dell modular systems — BMC, iDRAC6 Express card, and iDRAC6 Enterprise
card are included as standard configurations.
Options
Standard
Optional*
Available Remote
System Management
Device
Embedded BMC
with iDRAC6
Express card
Embedded BMC
with iDRAC6
Express card +
iDRAC6
Enterprise card
USC or
USC-LCE
USC-LCE
USC-LCE
Available Features
BMC with iDRAC6
Express -Operating System
Deployment, Hardware
Diagnostics, USC Settings,
Platform Update, Hardware
Configuration, Driver
Repository
BMC with iDRAC6
Express - Operating System
Deployment, Hardware
Diagnostics, USC Settings,
Platform Update, Hardware
Configuration, Driver
Repository
iDRAC6 Enterprise - adds
Full Remote Management,
Dedicated NIC port,
Virtual KVM, Virtual Media,
Virtual Flash
12 Overview
2
Unified Server Configurator and Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller Enabled
Unified Server Configurator (USC) and Unified Server
Configurator-Lifecycle Controller Enabled (USC-LCE) reside on an
embedded flash memory card and are embedded configuration utilities that
enable systems and storage management tasks from an embedded
environment throughout your system’s life cycle. USC and USC - LCE are
similar to a BIOS utility in that they can be started during the boot sequence
and can function in a pre-operating system environment. "Table 1-1"
the Dell™ system series, remote system management device options, USC or
USC-LCE, and available features.
Using USC, you can download drivers for operating system installation from the
Dell FTP website at ftp.dell.com or using local devices such as a USB device or
the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation or the Dell Server
Updates DVD. You can also deploy an operating system, or run Hardware
Diagnostics to validate the system and attached hardware. Depending on your
system, you can upgrade from a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) to an
iDRAC6 Express or an iDRAC6 Enterprise card; this hardware upgrade will also
upgrade USC to USC - LCE. See "How to Upgrade to an iDRAC6 Express Card"
and the Hardware Owner’s Manual for your system for more information on how
to upgrade. Using USC - LCE, you can quickly identify, download, and apply
system updates without searching the Dell Support site at support.dell.com.
You can also configure BIOS and system devices (such as NIC, RAID,
and iDRAC), deploy an operating system, and run Hardware Diagnostics to
validate the system and attached hardware.
details
What’s new in USC/USC-LCE 1.3
These are the new features introduced in USC/USC-LCE 1.3:
USC and USC - LCE 13
USC-LCE
• Support for part replacement
• Support for configuring Provisioning Server and Auto-Discovery from
iDRAC configuration utility
• Report vFlash health status and presence
• Support for BIOS boot order
• Version compatibility check for BIOS, iDRAC and USC
USC and USC-LCE Support for:
• Series 7 controllers
• SED (Self-encryption disk) drive
• Dell Repository Update Manager with option to specify sub-directory
• FTP authentication
Common Features
This section contains the features that are common to both USC and
USC - LCE. Any additional steps or information required for USC - LCE tasks
are noted and provided.
Launching the Product
To launch either USC or USC - LCE, boot the system and press the <F10>
key within 10 seconds of the Dell logo being displayed during the system boot
process to enter System Services.
If the system is in one of the following states, pressing <F10> will not allow
you to enter System Services:
•
System Services disabled
iDRAC is initializing, the message
display during the system boot process. This situation happens if you
power on your system immediately after AC is applied to the system, or if
you restart the system immediately after resetting iDRAC. To avoid this
issue, wait about a minute after resetting iDRAC to restart your system,
thus allowing enough time for iDRAC to complete initialization.
— If you power on or restart your system while
System Services disabled
will
14 USC and USC - LCE
If the message
System Services disabled
still displays, then the
product may have been manually disabled. See "Disabling USC or USCLCE" for information on how to enable USC or USC - LCE.
•
System Services update required — If the message System Services
update required appears when you boot your system, the
embedded device that stores the product may contain corrupted data.
To resolve the issue, update the product by executing USC or USC - LCE
Dell Update Package (DUP). See the
support.dell.com/manuals
for more information.
Dell Update Packages User’s Guide
at
If an operating system is not installed on the system or if executing the
DUP does not fix the problem, run USC or USC - LCE repair package.
See "Repairing USC" or "Repairing USC - LCE" for more information.
•
System Services not available
— Another process is currently using
iDRAC. It is recommended that you wait for 30 minutes for the current
process to complete; then, reboot your system and try to enter USC or
USC - LCE again.
If you believe the system is in an error condition or if you cannot wait the
recommended 30-minute time period, see "Canceling a Request to Enter
System Services." After rebooting, try to enter USC or USC - LCE again. The
first time you launch USC or USC - LCE, it displays USC Settings wizard
that allows you to configure your preferred language and network settings. See
"Using USC Settings Wizard" for more information.
Using the Wizards
Wizard Description
USC and USC - LCE provide the following wizards based on your system’s
configuration:
•
OS Deployment
"Deploying the Operating System Using the OS Deployment Wizard" for
more information.
•
Hardware Diagnostics
the memory, I/O devices, CPU, physical disks, and other peripherals.
See "Hardware Diagnostics" for more information.
— Enables you to install an operating system. See
— Enables you to perform diagnostics to validate
USC and USC - LCE 15
•
USC Settings — Enables you to specify the language, keyboard layout,
and network settings to be used with USC or USC-LCE.
See
"Using USC
Settings Wizard" for more information.
Along with the above mentioned wizards, USC and USC-LCE provide the
following options:
•
Home —
•
About
UEFI. Click
Enables you to navigate back to
Home
screen.
— Enables you to view the version information of USC-LCE and
View Readme
in the
About
wizard to view USC-LCE readme.
USC - LCE provides the following additional wizards based on your system’s
configuration:
•
Platform Update
your system. You can access the updates from
— Enables you to download and apply updates for
ftp.dell.com
or a
USB device attached to your system. See "Updating the Platform using the
Platform Update Wizard" and "Configuring a Local USB Device" for
more information.
•
Hardware Configuration
— Enables you to configure system devices.
See "Hardware Configuration" for more information.
Launching a Wizard
USC and USC - LCE display the available wizards in the left pane. Click the
wizard you want to launch, and then follow the instructions displayed in the
right pane.
Wizard Task Flow USC
When using USC for the first time, It is recommended that you run the
wizards in the order listed below:
•
USC Settings
— You do not need to run this wizard again unless you want
to change the language, keyboard, or network settings.
•
OS Deployment
Hardware Diagnostics
•
— Run this wizard to install operating system.
— Ensure that you maintain your system by
running diagnostics on a regular basis.
Wizard Task Flow USC - LCE
When using USC - LCE for the first time, it is recommended that you run
the following wizards listed in order:
16 USC and USC - LCE
•
USC Settings
to change the language, keyboard, or network settings.
•
Platform Update
run the Platform Update wizard regularly so that your system is up to
date.
•
Hardware Configuration
devices.
•
OS Deployment
•
Hardware Diagnostics —
running diagnostics on a regular basis.
Accessing Help
Each USC or USC - LCE screen has a Help button in the upper-right corner.
Click Help to display help for the current screen.
Viewing Readme
Click About→ View Rea dme to display the Readme file.
— You do not need to run this wizard again unless you want
—
Download and apply any updates. Ensure that you
— Run this wizard to configure your system
— Run this wizard to install operating system.
Ensure that you maintain your system by
Disabling USC or USC-LCE
You can disable USC or USC - LCE to prevent your system from entering it
on start-up:
1
Press
<Ctrl><e> within 5 seconds when prompted during system
start-up.
The
iDRAC6 Configuration Utility
2
Navigate to
3
Select
4
Save your changes and exit the
menu. The system reboots automatically.
To enable USC or USC-LCE, repeat "step 1" and "step 2", and then select
Enable System Services.
System Services
Disable System Services
.
page displays.
.
iDRAC6 Configuration Utility
page
Canceling a Request to Enter System Services
If USC or USC - LCE causes the system to repeatedly reboot, you can cancel
a request to enter System Services.
USC and USC - LCE 17
CAUTION: This action cancels all tasks USC or USC - LCE is in the process of
executing. Dell strongly recommends that you cancel the request to enter System
Services only when absolutely necessary.
1
Press
<Ctrl><e> within 5 seconds when prompted during system
start-up.
The
iDRAC6 Configuration Utility
2
Navigate to
3
Select
System Services
Cancel System Services
Save your changes and exit the
.
iDRAC6 Configuration Utility
page displays.
.
page.
The system reboots automatically.
Using USC Settings Wizard
USC Settings wizard enables you to specify the language, keyboard layout,
and network settings for USC or USC - LCE. USC settings apply only to USC
or USC - LCE and do not apply to the system or any other application
running on the system.
1
Launch
a
b
2
Click
down-arrow keys to access all options on the
drop-down menus.
a
b
c
3
Click
a
b
USC Settings
Boot your system and press the
Wizard:
<F10> key within 10 seconds of the
Dell logo being displayed.
Wait until
USC Home
screen is displayed, then click
the left pane.
Language and Keyboard
in the right pane. Use the up-arrow and
Language
Select the language from the
Language
drop-down menu.
Select the type of keyboard you are using from the
drop-down menu.
Click
Finish
.
Network Settings
Use the
NIC Card
in the right pane.
drop-down menu to select the NIC card you want
to configure on your system.
Use the
Configuration
IP Address Source
,
DHCP
, or
drop-down menu to select either
Static IP
. The IP Address Source function
only supports IPv4.
USC Settings
and
Keyboard Type
Keyboard Type
No
in
18 USC and USC - LCE
•
No Configuration
- Select if you do not want to configure your
NIC.
•
DHCP
- Select to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server.
•
Static IP
- Select to use a static IP address. Specify the following
IP address properties. If you do not have this information, see
your network administrator.
–
IP Address
–
Subnet Mask
–
Default Gateway
–
DNS Address
c
Click
Finish
.
If USC settings are not configured correctly, an error message is displayed.
Deploying the Operating System Using the OS Deployment Wizard
The OS Deployment wizard assists you in installing an operating system on
your system.
USC does not provide a local operating system drivers repository that may be
required for operating system installation. You have to download the
operating system drivers from the Dell FTP website at ftp.dell.com or use a
local source that has drivers on it — for example, Dell Systems Management
Tools and Documentation DVD or a local USB device.
USC - LCE provides a local repository for drivers that may be required for
operating system installation, depending on which operating system you are
installing. The OS Deployment wizard extracts these drivers and copies
them to a staging directory. For supported Microsoft
operating systems, these extracted drivers are installed during the
operating system installation. For supported Linux operating systems,
such as Red Hat
®
SUSE
Linux Enterprise Server version 10 SP2, you must manually install
®
Enterprise Linux® versions 4.7, 4.8, 5.2, and 5.3 and
the extracted drivers after the operating system installation is completed.
However, starting with Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 5.4, SUSE Linux
Enterprise Server version 10 SP3, 11 and later installs, the extracted drivers
are installed during the operating system installation. See "Deploy the
Operating System" for more information.
®
Windows
®
USC and USC - LCE 19
Although USC - LCE comes with embedded drivers that are factory installed,
there may be more current drivers available. You should run the Platform
Update wizard to ensure that you have the most current drivers before
installing the operating system.
Before installing the operating system, the OS Deployment wizard detects if
a boot device is available. A boot device is a physical disk, virtual disk, or other
storage device on which the operating system can be installed.
If your system has a RAID controller, you can configure a virtual disk and
choose to use the virtual disk as the boot device.
If your system does not have a RAID controller or if you choose to bypass the
optional RAID configuration, the OS Deployment wizard installs the
operating system to a default location, which is typically the disk identified as
Disk 0 in the BIOS utility.
Launch the Operating System Deployment Wizard
1
To launch USC, boot your system and press the
<F10> key
within 10 seconds of the Dell logo being displayed.
2
Click
3
4
OS Deployment
Click
Deploy OS
For
USC
, continue with the "Select the Operating System Driver Source
in the left pane.
in the right pane.
Location (for USC only)" procedure that follows.
5
For
USC - LCE, if your system has a RAID controller, continue with
"Optional RAID Configuration." If your system does not have a RAID
controller, continue with "Select an Operating System."
Select the Operating System Driver Source Location (for USC only)
Use this screen to select the driver required for operating system installation.
You can download operating system drivers from an online repository or from
a local drive.
1
Select either
FTP Repository
Select
Online Repository
FTP Repository
or
Local Drive
.
to download drivers from an FTP server. Enter the
appropriate information according to the method you are using to access
the FTP server.
20 USC and USC - LCE
If you use a firewall, you should configure it to allow outgoing FTP traffic
on port 21. The firewall must also be configured to accept incoming FTP
response traffic.
• To download drivers from the online repository (Dell FTP server),
you must enter
ftp.dell.com
in the
Address
field.
or
To download drivers from a locally-configured online repository, in the
Address
field you must specify the server host name or the IP address
of the server on which the drivers reside. For information on setting
up local FTP server, see "Configuring a Local FTP Server."
• To download drivers by using a proxy server to access an FTP server,
you must specify:
•
Address —
• User Name —
•Password —
•
Proxy Server
The IP address of the local FTP server or
ftp.dell.com
The user name to access the FTP location.
The password to access this FTP location.
— The server host name or the IP address of the
proxy server
•
Proxy Port
•
Proxy Type
— The port number of the proxy server
— The type of proxy server. HTTP and SOCKS 4
proxy types are supported by USC.
•
Proxy User Name
— The user name required for authentication
on the proxy server
•
Proxy Password
— The password required for authentication on
the proxy server
2
Select
Save Locally
From the
Save Locally
to save the drivers locally from the online repository.
drop-down menu, select the USB drive to save the
system drivers.
.
Local Drive
Select
Local Drive
Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD
if the drivers are available from a USB device or
. For
information on setting up a USB device for updates see "Configuring a
Local USB Device."
USC and USC - LCE 21
3
Click
Next
.
If your system has a RAID controller, continue with "Optional RAID
Configuration." If your system does not have a RAID controller, continue
with "Select an Operating System."
Optional RAID Configuration
If your system has a RAID controller, you have the option of launching the
RAID Configuration wizard and configuring a virtual disk as the boot device.
To configure RAID:
• Select
Configure RAID Now
the
RAID Configuration
you will return to the
and click
Next
. This option launches
wizard. After RAID configuration is complete,
OS Deployment
wizard. See "Configuring RAID."
To bypass RAID configuration:
• Select
Go Directly to OS Deployment
launches the
OS Deployment
and click
Next
. This option
wizard. If you select this option,
the operating system will be installed on the default boot device identified
in the BIOS utility. Continue with
Deploy the Operating System
"Select an Operating System."
The drivers required by the operating system, or recommended for updating
your system after installation, are extracted to a temporary location.
These files are deleted after an 18-hour period or when you press
the <F10> key to either cancel operating system installation or re-enter
USC after rebooting.
NOTE: During the 18-hour period when drivers are extracted to a temporary
location after the operating system is installed, you cannot update USC or USC-LCE,
drivers, or hardware diagnostics using a DUP. If you attempt an update using a DUP
during this time period, the DUP will display a message that another session is
open.
Select an Operating System
Use the following steps to select an operating system:
Select the operating system you want to install and click
1
Next
22 USC and USC - LCE
.
2
USC or USC - LCE extracts the drivers required by the operating system
you selected. The drivers are extracted to an internal USB drive
named
OEMDRV
3
After the drivers are extracted, USC or USC - LCE prompts you to insert
.
the operating system installation media.
Important
• For Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.x server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.x,
the drivers are extracted to
OEMDRV
under
/oemdrv/*.rpm
. For SUSE
Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP2, the drivers are extracted under
/linux/suse/x86_64-sles10/install/*.rpm
• When installing the Microsoft
Windows operating system, the extracted
.
drivers are automatically installed during the operating system installation.
When installing the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.x operating system, the
operating system installation uses native drivers. After the Linux
installation is complete, you need to manually install the drivers extracted
by USC or USC-LCE. See "Update Drivers for Linux Systems Only" for
more information.
Kickstart Installation for the Linux Operating System
If you are using a kickstart installation for the Linux operating system,
provide the following information in the post-installation script:
• Command to mount the USB device containing the operating system
drivers labeled
OEMDRV
. For example:
mkdir OEMDRV
mount /dev/sdc1 /mnt/OEMDRV
• Path to the operating system drivers on the OEMDRV drive:
For Red Hat Enterprise Linux:
/oemdrv/*.rpm
For SUSE Linux Enterprise Server:
/linux/suse/x86_64-sles10/install/*.rpm
• Command to install the drivers:
rpm -Uvh *.rpm
USC and USC - LCE 23
Insert the Operating System Media
Insert the operating system installation media when prompted and
click Next.
USC supports internal SATA optical drives and USB optical drives and
USC - LCE supports internal SATA optical drives, USB optical drives, and
virtual media devices. If the installation media is corrupt or not readable,
then USC and USC-LCE may be unable to detect the presence of a
supported optical drive. In this case, you may receive an error message stating
that no optical drive is available. If the media is not valid (if it is the incorrect
CD or DVD, for example), a message displays requesting that you insert the
correct installation media.
For USC - LCE only: Virtual media is supported through iDRAC. See the
User Guide for your system’s iDRAC device for more information on setting
up virtual media through iDRAC.
Reboot the System
Prerequisite
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 UEFI operating system installations are not
currently supported.
Use the following step to reboot the system:
1
Click
Finish
to reboot the system and continue with the operating system
installation. Upon reboot, the system boots to the operating system
installation media.
CAUTION: During the beginning of Windows Server® 2003 installation, the
installer will automatically detect and possibly assign the default drive letter C
to USC and USC-LCE temporary storage device OEMDRV. Creating a new
Windows-bootable system partition on the hard-disk will assign the partition to a
drive letter other than C; this is standard Windows installer behavior. To assign
the new partition to C, see "Assign a Windows-Bootable System Partition to the C:
Drive" for more information.
Post-requisites
• When the system reboots after you click
Finish
, you may be prompted to
press a key before booting to the operating system installation media. If
you do not press a key, the system boots to the hard-disk and not the
operating system installation media.
24 USC and USC - LCE
• In the event that the operating system installation is interrupted and the
system reboots before installation completes, you may be prompted to
press a key in order to boot from the operating system installation media.
• You can cancel the operating system installation by pressing the
key. Pressing the
while rebooting causes any drivers provided by the
<F10>
key at any point during the installation process or
OS Deployment
<F10>
wizard
to be removed.
• After the operating system is installed, you cannot update USC or USCLCE by running a DUP in the operating system environment for the next
18 hours.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 5.x Installation Warning
During Red Hat 5.x installation, you will receive a warning that a read-only
file system was detected; Linux has detected the temporary storage area of
USC and USC-LCE that stores updates for your system. When you click OK,
a second warning will appear indicating that the read-only file system has a
loop partition layout and that it needs to be formatted. Click the Ignore drive
button. You may see both warnings several times during the course of Red
Hat 5.x installation.
Update Drivers for Linux Systems Only
On the following
operating systems
, it is recommended that you update your
system with the extracted drivers after installation. The drivers are extracted
to a drive (or device) named OEMDRV.
•Red Hat Enterprise Linux server — The location of the drivers on the
OEMDRV drive
/oemdrv/*.rpm
after installation is:
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux server — The location of the drivers on the
OEMDRV drive
/oemdrv/*.rpm
after installation is:
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 with Service Pack 2 — The location of
the drivers on the
OEMDRV drive
after installation is:
/linux/suse/x86_64-sles10/install/*.rpm
Use the following command to install the drivers:
USC and USC - LCE 25
rpm -Uvh *.rpm
Assign a Windows-Bootable System Partition to the C: Drive
After you have completed USC or USC - LCE portion of Windows Server
2003 installation, your server will reboot and begin the text-mode portion of
the installation. During this phase, you may need to perform the following
steps to ensure Windows installs to your C: drive.
Following these instructions after Windows Server 2003 setup presents you
with a list of existing drive partitions and/or unpartitioned space available on
your computer.
1
Select the unpartitioned space, and then press
<c>
to create a hard-disk
partition. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a partition.
NOTE: The partition may not be enumerated as a C: drive.
2
Select the newly-created partition, and then press
<d>
to delete the
partition. Follow the on-screen instructions to delete the partition.
3
Select the unpartitioned space again, and then press
<c>
to create a
primary hard-disk partition. The partition will now be enumerated as C:
drive.
4
Follow the on-screen instructions to create a partition. Windows will now
install on the C: drive.
See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896536 for more information on
assigning the Windows-bootable system partition to the C: drive.
Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.8 on a system with SAS7 (H200) controller
Perform the following steps to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.8 / Red Hat
Enterprise Linux 5.3:
1
Copy the driver image file(*.img or *.dd) into a USB key. Specify the driver
image file location when prompted for a driver diskette.
2
Select Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.8/Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 on the
OS Deployment
3
After USC reboots to the OS installer CD/DVD, enter the following
command: >
screen of USC.
linux dd
26 USC and USC - LCE
4
Insert the driver update disk (DUD) when prompted, and specify the
location of the USB drive and press
5
Complete the installation as directed by the installation program.
<Enter>
.
Hardware Diagnostics
Utilizing the Hardware Diagnostics utility, it is recommended that you run
diagnostics as part of a regular maintenance regimen to validate that the
system and attached hardware are functioning properly. Because the
diagnostics utility has a physical (as opposed to logical) view of attached
hardware, this utility may be able to identify hardware problems that the
operating system and other online tools cannot. You can use the hardware
diagnostics utility to validate the memory, I/O devices, CPU, physical disks,
and other peripherals.
Performing Hardware Diagnostics
To start the hardware diagnostics utility, click Hardware Diagnostics in the
left pane and click Run Hardware Diagnostics in the right pane. When the
diagnostics utility launches, follow the instructions on the screen.
You must reboot your system to exit the Hardware Diagnostics utility and
press <F10> to re-enter USC or USC-LCE.
The results of the diagnostics tests are displayed on the screen when the tests
complete. The test results describe the problems found. You can use this
information to search the Dell Support website at support.dell.com for
details on resolving the problem.
If you want to exit the Hardware Diagnostics utility, press the <Esc> key;
this will cause the system to reboot.
Updating the Hardware Diagnostics Utility
For Systems Supporting USC
Download the required Dell Update Package (DUP) from Dell Support
site at support.dell.com. Run the DUP as an executable in the installed
operating system.
For Systems Supporting USC - LCE
USC and USC - LCE 27
Use the Platform Update wizard to update the hardware diagnostics utility.
See "Updating the Platform using the Platform Update Wizard" for more
information. Alternatively, you can also download the required Dell Update
Package (DUP) from Dell Support site at support.dell.com and run the DUP
as an executable in the installed operating system.
Repairing USC
If the message System Services update required appears when
you boot up, the embedded device that stores USC may contain corrupted
data.
To resolve the issue, you must first attempt to update USC by executing
USC Dell Update Package (DUP). See the
available at
support.dell.com/manuals
Dell Update Packages User’s Guide
for more information.
Repairing USC - LCE
If the message System Services update required appears when
you boot up, the embedded device that stores USC - LCE may contain
corrupted data.
USC - LCE by executing USC - LCE Dell Update Package (DUP). See the
Dell Update Packages User’s Guide
for more information.
use USC - LCE repair package:
1
Go to
USC_1.3.0_Rep_Pack_A00.usc
2
Connect to iDRAC on your system using the iDRAC Web interface.
For more information on iDRAC, see the
Controller 6 (iDRAC6) User’s Guide
3
From the iDRAC Web interface, click
4
Select the
downloaded from
5
Click
complete before you continue to "step 6."
6
Reboot your system, and then press the
7
Complete the installation of all recommended updates. See "Updating the
Platform using the Platform Update Wizard" for more information.
When updates are complete, your system automatically reboots.
To resolve the issue, you must first attempt to update
available at
If running the DUP does not solve the problem,
ftp.dell.com → LifecycleController
(or newer version) to a temporary location.
Update
Next
tab, and then browse to USC - LCE Repair Package you
ftp.dell.com
, and then click OK to confirm the upload. Allow the process to
.
support.dell.com/manuals
and download the file named
Integrated Dell Remote Access
.
Remote Access
<F10>
.
key to enter USC - LCE.
28 USC and USC - LCE
8
While the system reboots, press the
USC - LCE
If a warning message appears on the initial
repeat "step 7" until the server is in a fully-recovered state.
NOTE: Updates that are required for a complete system recovery are pre-selected
by USC - LCE. Dell highly recommends running all selected updates on your system.
.
<F10>
key again to enter
USC - LCE
screen, you must
How to Upgrade to an iDRAC6 Express Card
This section provides information about installing an iDRAC6 Express card,
transferring the iDRAC6 Express card from one system to another system,
and Uninstalling iDRAC6 Express card. This hardware upgrade will also
upgrade USC to USC-LCE.
NOTE: This is applicable only to Dell System Series 200-500.
Installing the iDRAC6 Express Card
1
Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect
the system from the electrical outlet.
NOTE: To discharge the residual power in the system, press the
power button once.
2
Insert the iDRAC6 Express card into the iDRAC6 Express slot.
See the
on Installing iDRAC6 Express Card.
3
Reconnect the system and peripherals to their power sources.
iDRAC automatically starts. Wait one minute, before switching on the
system, to allow the iDRAC to fully start.
Hardware Owner’s Manual
for your system for more information
4
Switch on the system, and then press
USC automatically detects the iDRAC6 Express card installed on the
system and completes the upgrade process.
If the installation is successful, you are able to boot to Unified Server
Configurator — Lifecycle Controller Enabled.
If the installation fails, you must upgrade iDRAC. See the Integrated
Dell Remote Access Controller User Guide for more information. After you
have upgraded iDRAC, repeat the above instructions.
<F10>
to enter USC.
USC and USC - LCE 29
Transferring an iDRAC6 Express Card
If the iDRAC6 Express card is transferred from one system to another:
• The rollback feature is unavailable on the new system. See "Rolling Back to
Previous BIOS and Firmware Versions" for more information.
• All pending USC-LCE tasks that are in the process of execution are
deleted on the new system.
• Run
The driver pack is deleted if the iDRAC6 Express card is transferred to a
different Dell system. For example, if you move the iDRAC6 Express card
from Dell R410 system to Dell T410 system, the driver pack is deleted.
Platform Update
the new system.
wizard to download the appropriate driver pack for
Removing the iDRAC6 Express Card
1
Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect
the system from the electrical outlet. To discharge the residual power in
the system, press the power button once.
2
Remove the iDRAC6 Express card from the iDRAC6 Express slot. See the
Hardware Owner’s Manual
Installing iDRAC6 Express Card.
3
Reconnect the system and peripherals to their power sources.
4
Switch on the system, and then press
for your system for more information on
<F10>
to enter USC.
Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller Enabled Unique Features
This section contains the features that are only available in USC - LCE.
For information on features common to USC and USC - LCE
see "Common Features."
Updating USC - LCE
You can update to the latest version of USC - LCE using the Platform
Update wizard. It is recommended that you run the Platform Update wizard
on a regular basis to access updates as they become available. See "Updating
the Platform using the Platform Update Wizard" for more information.
30 USC and USC - LCE
Updating the Platform using the Platform Update Wizard
Use the Platform Update wizard to view the current versions of the installed
applications and firmware information. You can use the Platform Update
Wizard to display a list of available updates for your system. After you select
the updates you want to apply, USC - LCE downloads and applies the
updates.
To ensure optimal system performance and avoid system problems,
Dell recommends that you download and apply updates on a regular basis.
To ru n t he Platform Update wizard, you need access to the Dell File Transfer
Protocol (FTP) server at ftp.dell.com. Alternatively, your system
administrator may provide the updates on a local USB device or on a
Dell Server Update Utility DVD. Contact your system administrator to find
out the preferred method for accessing updates in your organization.
See "Configuring a Local FTP Server"
If you are using FTP as your update method, you must configure the network
card using USC - LCE USC Settings wizard before accessing the updates. See
"Using USC Settings Wizard" for more information.
Version Compatibility
The version compatibility features ensures that only the Lifecycle Controller,
BIOS and iDRAC versions that are compatible with system components are
installed. The console will display upgrade or downgrade error messages to
warn you about compatibility issues for various components; these messages
will be displayed for ten seconds only.
for more information.
View Current Version Information
1
Boot your system and press the
the Dell logo being displayed.
2
Click
Platform Update
3
Click
View Current Versions
Launch the Platform Update Wizard
1
Boot your system and press the
in the left pane.
Dell logo being displayed.
2
Click
3
Platform Update
Click
Launch Platform Update
in the left pane.
<F10> key within 10 seconds of
in the right pane.
<F10> key within 10 seconds of the
in the right pane.
USC and USC - LCE 31
Select Download Method
You can download updates from Dell’s FTP server at ftp.dell.com using the
Platform Update wizard or from a local FTP server or from a local USB device
or Dell Server Updates DVD.
To enable the text boxes and drop-down menus under local FTP server or
Dell FTP Server and USB Device, select the corresponding FTP Server or
Local Drive check box.
1
Select either
FTP Server
Select
using the
FTP Server
FTP Server
Platform Update
or
Local Drive
.
to download updates from the configured FTP server
wizard. Enter the appropriate information
according to the method you are using to access the FTP server.
FTP Authentication
USC supports anonymous login by authenticating the blank username, a
password of your choice, and the FTP server address with the FTP servers
in order to download the catalog information. If you use a firewall, you
should configure it to allow outgoing FTP traffic on port 21. The firewall
must also be configured to accept incoming FTP response traffic.
To download updates by using a proxy server to access the FTP server,
you must specify:
•
Address —
•User Name —
•Password —
• Catalog Location —
The IP address of the local FTP server or
The user name to access the FTP location.
The password to access this FTP location.
The specific location/sub-directory where
ftp.dell.com
the catalog resides.
•
Proxy Server
•
Proxy Port
•
Proxy Type
— The server host name of the proxy server.
— The port number of the proxy server.
— The type of proxy server. HTTP and SOCKS 4
proxy types are supported by USC - LCE.
•
Proxy User Name
— The user name required for authentication
on the proxy server.
.
32 USC and USC - LCE
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