Dell Lifecycle Controller 1.5.5 User Manual

Dell Lifecycle Controller

USC/USC-LCE

Version 1.5

User’s 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.

____________________

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2011 – 03

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Why Use USC/USC-LCE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

USC and USC-LCE Features and  Product Classification

What’s new in USC/USC-LCE 1.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Upgrading to USC or USC-LCE

Other Documents You May Need

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

. . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2 Using USC or USC-LCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Launching USC or USC-LCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Launch Messages—Causes 

and Resolutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Enabling USC or USC-LCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Disabling USC or USC-LCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Canceling Request to Enter 

System Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Using USC for the First Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Using USC-LCE for the First Time . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Using USC Settings Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Contents 3

3 USC and USC-LCE Features . . . . . . . . . . 25

Lifecycle Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

USC-LCE Platform Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

FTP Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Platform Rollback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Hardware Configuration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Configuration Wizards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

HII Advanced Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Hardware Inventory–View and Export . . . . . . . 28

Delete Configuration and Reset Defaults. . . . . . 30

Operating System Deployment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Driver Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Driver Extraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Driver Installation Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

RAID Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Platform Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Part Replacement Configuration . . . . . . . . . . 32

Backup Server Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Export Server Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Import Server Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Hardware Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

USC or USC-LCE Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

RAID Configuration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

4 Contents

Key Encryption

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Local Key Encryption Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

4 USC and USC-LCE Operations . . . . . . . . . 37

Viewing Hardware Inventory–Current or 

Factory Shipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Exporting Hardware Inventory–Current or  Factory Shipped

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Viewing and Exporting Hardware Inventory 

after Resetting Lifecycle Controller . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Updating Platform

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Version Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Viewing Current Version Information. . . . . . . . 40

Launching Platform Update Wizard . . . . . . . . 40

Selecting Download Method . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Selecting and Applying Updates . . . . . . . . . . 44

Rolling Back to Previous BIOS and 

Firmware Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Updating Hardware Diagnostics Utility. . . . . . . . . 47

Performing Hardware Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Installing Operating System

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Selecting Operating System Driver Source 

Location (for USC only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Online Repository. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Local Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Using Optional RAID Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Configuring RAID Using Operating System 

Deployment Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Contents 5

Bypass RAID configuration: . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Selecting Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Selecting an Operating System 

Available in the List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Selecting Custom Operating System . . . . . . . . 53

Selecting an Operating System Not 

Available in the List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Driver Extraction and Installation. . . . . . . . . . 54

Installing Drivers for RHEL 4.8 

Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Rebooting System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Post Reboot Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Operating System–Post Installation Scenarios . . . . . 56

Assigning a Windows-Bootable 

System Partition to Drive C . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.8 

on a System with SAS7 (H200) Controller . . . . . . 56

Controlling Access to the System Control Panel . . . . 57

System Control Panel Access Options . . . . . . . 57

6 Contents

Configuring System Date/Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Configuring iDRAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

LAN Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Advanced LAN Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Common IP Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

IPv4 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

IPv6 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Virtual Media Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

LAN User Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Summary and Confirmation. . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Configuring RAID using Hardware RAID . . . . . . . . 70

Important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

View Current Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Select RAID Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Foreign Configuration Found . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Express or Advanced Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Select Basic Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Express Wizard Only - Assign a Hot Spare. . . . . 75

Express Wizard Only - Review Summary. . . . . . 76

Advanced Wizard Only - Select 

Physical Disks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Advanced Wizard Only - Additional 

Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Advanced Wizard Only - Review Summary . . . . 78

Configuring RAID using Software RAID. . . . . . . . . 79

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Creating a Secure Virtual Disk on 

Series 7 Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Configuring vFlash SD Card

HII Advanced Configuration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Encrypting Unsecure Virtual Disks . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Applying the Local Key on the RAID Controller . . . . . 85

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Rekey Controller with a New Local Key . . . . . . . . 86

Remove Encryption and Delete Data

. . . . . . . . . . 86

Contents 7

Upgrading to an iDRAC6 Express Card . . . . . . . . . 87

Installing iDRAC6 Express Card. . . . . . . . . . . 87

Transferring an iDRAC6 Express Card . . . . . . . 88

Removing iDRAC6 Express Card . . . . . . . . . . 88

Configuring a Local FTP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Requirements for a Local FTP Server. . . . . . . . 89

Copying Repository to a Local FTP Server 

from the Dell Server Updates DVD . . . . . . . . . 89

Using Dell Repository Manager to Create  the Repository and Copy it to a 

Local FTP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Accessing Updates on a Local FTP Server . . . . . 90

Configuring a Local USB Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Copying Repository to a Local USB Device 

from the Dell Server Updates DVD . . . . . . . . . 91

Using the Dell Repository Manager to Create  the Repository and Copy it to a 

USB Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Part Replacement Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Supported Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Collect System Inventory on Restart . . . . . . . . 93

Part Firmware Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Part Configuration Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

8 Contents

Back Up Server Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Exporting Server Profile to a USB Device 

or Network Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Importing Server Profile from a vFlash SD Card, 

Network Share, or USB Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Post-import Scenario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Importing Server Profile after Motherboard 

Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Post-requisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Viewing Lifecycle Log History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Exporting Lifecycle Log

Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Adding a Work Note to Lifecycle Log . . . . . . . . . . 103

Deleting Configuration and Resetting Defaults

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

. . . . . 103

5 Troubleshooting and Frequently 

Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Repairing the USC and USC-LCE . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Repairing USC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Repairing USC-LCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Frequently Asked Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Contents 9

A Lifecycle Log Schema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

B Easy-to-use System Component

Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

10 Contents

Introduction

The Dell Lifecycle Controller provides advanced embedded systems management and is delivered as part of iDRAC Express card and embedded Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) applications in the 11th generation Dell servers. The iDRAC6 works with the UEFI firmware to access and manage every aspect of the hardware, including component and subsystem management that is beyond the traditional Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) capabilities.

NOTE: The UEFI environment provides the local console interface and the

infrastructure for locally managed system components.

The Lifecycle Controller has the following components:

• Unified Server Configurator (USC) and Unified Server ConfiguratorLifecycle Controller Enabled (USC-LCE):

– Are an embedded configuration utility that reside on an embedded

flash memory card.

– Are similar to the

sequence, and can function in a pre-operating system environment.

– Enable systems and storage management tasks from an embedded

environment throughout the system’s life cycle.

USC and USC-LCE simplify end-to-end server lifecycle management using the one-to-one method:

BIOS utility that is started during the boot

– Provisioning — Entire pre-operating system configuration from a

unified interface.

– Deploying — Simplified operating system installation with embedded

drivers on the Lifecycle Controller.

– Download drivers for operating system installation from one of the

following sources:

• Dell FTP website at

• USB mass storage device

•

Dell Lifecycle Controller OS Driver Packs

ftp.dell.com

DVD

Introduction 11

•

Dell Server Updates

•

Dell Systems Build and Update Utility

•Network share

– Patching/Updates (USC-LCE only) — Operating system agnostic and

reduced maintenance downtime with direct access to updates from

ftp.dell.com

a working version for rollback.

– Servicing (USC-LCE only) — Continuous availability of diagnostics

without the hard drive dependency. Ability to flash firmware automatically while replacing field replaceable components such as a Dell PowerEdge RAID controller, NIC, or power supply.

– Security (USC-LCE only) — Supports local key encryption.

– Restoring Platform — Backup the server profile (including RAID

configuration) and restore the server to a previously known state.

• Remote Services simplifies end-to-end server lifecycle management using the one-to-many method. For more information, see

Controller Remote Services User’s

. It simplifies BIOS and firmware updates by maintaining

DVD

Guide

DVD (for USC only).

Dell Lifecycle

Why Use USC/USC-LCE?

Systems management is typically a key part of an administrator’s role. Being able to install an operating system, updating firmware for function and policies requirements, configuring devices and getting the most out of an IT network are integral aspects of this role. Prior to the release of USC and USCLCE, an administrator had to use many tools such as DSA, SBUU, and DTK shipped on multiple CDs/DVD. Maintaining and using the multiple disks in their many versions was time consuming for the administrator.

To resolve these problems, Dell now provides the Lifecycle Controller, a flash chip embedded on the system with the Dell Unified Server Configurator application (USC). The Lifecycle Controller allows the IT administrator to do away with media altogether, allowing operating system deployment with locally embedded driver repositories, firmware updates, hardware configuration, and platform specific diagnostic routines. Since USC is available even when the operating system is not functional or even installed, it allows added flexibility in provisioning the system and customizing to suit

12 Introduction

your requirements. As the tool is integrated and embedded, formatting or reinstalling the operating system does not remove the tool, thus saving significant time and money.

USC and USC-LCE Features and Product Classification

Table 1-1. USC and USC-LCE Features

Features USC USC-LCE

Base-level product uses BMC and provides the following capabilities:

• Operating System Deployment

• Hardware Diagnostics

• USC Settings

Fully-featured product uses iDRAC6 Express and Enterprise cards, and provides the following capabilities:

• Operating System Deployment

• Hardware Diagnostics

• USC Settings

• Platform Update

• Hardware Configuration

• View and Export Hardware Inventory

• View and Export Lifecycle Log

• Platform Restore

Ye s Ye s

No Yes

USC or USC-LCE displays the features that the system supports, depending on the system configuration. Table 1-2 shows the product classifications for USC/USC-LCE. For example, for a Dell system y11x series, y denotes alphabets like M, R, or T; and x denotes numbers.

Introduction 13

Table 1-2. Product Classification

Dell System Series

y11x

y21x to y51x

Options

No Options

Standard Embedded BMC USC

Optional

Available System Management Device

Embedded BMC USC

Embedded BMC + iDRAC6 Express Card

Embedded BMC + iDRAC6 Express card +  iDRAC6 Enterprise card

USC or USC-LCE

USC-LCE

Available Features

BMC - Operating System Deployment, Hardware Diagnostics, USC Settings

iDRAC6 Express - adds Platform Update, Hardware Configuration, Driver Repository, Lifecycle Log, Hardware Inventory (current and factory shipped)

BMC - Operating System Deployment, Hardware Diagnostics, USC Settings

iDRAC6 Express - adds Platform Update, Hardware Configuration, Driver Repository, Lifecycle Log, Hardware Inventory (current and factory shipped)

iDRAC6 Enterprise - adds Full Remote Management, Dedicated NIC port, Virtual Console, Virtual Media, part replacement, vFlash SD card management, Platform Restore

14 Introduction

Table 1-2. Product Classification

(continued)

Dell System Series

y61x to y91x

Options

Standard

Optional

Available System Management Device

Embedded BMC with iDRAC6 Express card

Embedded BMC with iDRAC6 Express card + iDRAC6  Enterprise card

USC or USC-LCE

USC-LCE

Available Features

BMC with iDRAC6 Express Operating System Deployment, Hardware Diagnostics, USC Settings, Platform Update, Hardware Configuration, Driver Repository, Lifecycle Log, Hardware Inventory (current and factory shipped)

iDRAC6 Enterprise - adds Full Remote Management, Dedicated NIC port, Virtual Console, Virtual Media, part replacement, vFlash SD card management, Platform Restore

1. For Dell Blade systems — BMC, iDRAC6 Express card, and iDRAC6 Enterprise card are included as standard configurations.

Introduction 15

What’s new in USC/USC-LCE 1.5

The new features are:

• Backup and Export server profile

• Import server profile

• View and export factory shipped inventory

• Configure and upgrade firmware for Converged Network Adapters (CNA) cards. Supported on the following CNA card:

Broadcom:

– M710HD Dual Port 10Gig 57712 NDC

• Software RAID configuration

• Enhancement to the RAID configuration feature — Virtual disk slicing support

• Driver packs support for new operating systems1. For more information, see

USC/USC-LCE – Supported Dell Systems and Operating Systems

section in the

support.dell.com/manuals

1. Indicates the newly introduced feature for USC.

Dell Systems Software Support Matrix

available at

Upgrading to USC or USC-LCE

Depending on the system, you can upgrade from a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) to an Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 6 (iDRAC6) Express or an iDRAC6 Enterprise card; this hardware upgrades the USC to USC-LCE. See

Updating Platform

for more information.

NOTE: You can upgrade Dell systems series y21x-y51x to USC-LCE. See the

Hardware Owner’s Manual for more information.

16 Introduction

Using USC or USC-LCE

Before using USC/USC-LCE, you must ensure that the following prerequisites are met:

• Ensure that your network is configured.

• Ensure that the system has the latest versions of iDRAC and BIOS installed. See

Launching USC or USC-LCE

To launch USC or USC-LCE during the system boot, press <F10> key within 10 seconds of the Dell logo being displayed to enter System Services. When USC or USC-LCE is launched for the first time, it displays USC Settings wizard that allows you to configure the preferred language and network settings. See

NOTE: If the system does not enter System Services, see Table 2-1 for cause and

resolution.

Readme

for more information.

Using USC Settings Wizard

for more information.

Using USC or USC-LCE 19

Launch Messages—Causes and Resolutions

Table 2-1 lists the messages that appear during system launch, and their cause and resolution.

Table 2-1. Launch Error Messages—Causes and Resolutions

Message Cause Resolution

System Services disabled

System Services update required

System Services not available

• The system is turned on or restarted while iDRAC is initializing. This occurs if:

– The system is turned

on immediately after AC is applied to the system.

– The system is

restarted immediately after resetting iDRAC.

• The product is manually disabled.

The embedded device that stores the product may contain corrupted data.

Another process is currently using iDRAC.

• Wait for a minute after resetting iDRAC to restart the system, so that iDRAC initializes.

•See Disabling USC or USC-LCE for information on disabling USC or USCLCE.

Update the product using USC or USCLCE Dell Update Package (DUP.) See the Dell Update Packages User’s Guide at support.dell.com/manuals for more information.

If an operating system is not installed on the system or if running the DUP does not fix the problem, run the USC or USC-LCE repair package. See

USC

information.

Wait for 30 minutes for the current process to complete, reboot the system, and retry. Alternatively, see

Request to Enter System Services

Repairing USC-LCE for more

Repairing

Canceling

20 Using USC or USC-LCE

Enabling USC or USC-LCE

Press

<Ctrl><E> within five seconds after system start-up.

The

iDRAC6 Configuration Utility

Navigate to

Select

Save your changes and exit the

System Services

Disable System Services

is displayed.

iDRAC6 Configuration Utility

. The

system reboots automatically.

Disabling USC or USC-LCE

To prevent the system from entering USC or USC_LCE during startup, do the following:

Press

<Ctrl><E> within five seconds after system start-up.

The

iDRAC6 Configuration Utility

Navigate to

Select

Save your changes and exit the

System Services

Disable System Services

is displayed.

iDRAC6 Configuration Utility

. The

system reboots automatically.

Canceling Request to Enter System Services

If USC or USC-LCE causes the system to repeatedly reboot, you can cancel the request to enter System Services.

CAUTION: This action cancels all tasks USC or USC-LCE is in the process of

executing. It is strongly recommended that you cancel the request to enter System Services only when absolutely necessary.

Press

<Ctrl><E> within five seconds after system start-up.

The

iDRAC6 Configuration Utility

Navigate to

Select

Save your changes and exit the

System Services

Cancel System Services

system reboots automatically.

page is displayed.

iDRAC6 Configuration Utility

. The

Using USC or USC-LCE 21

Using USC for the First Time

When using USC for the first time, it is recommended that you run the wizards:

USC Settings

network settings.

OS Deployment

Hardware Diagnostics

system.

See Also:

USC and USC-LCE Features

— Run the wizard to change the language, keyboard, or

— Run to install the operating system.

— Run diagnostics-check regularly to maintain the

Using USC-LCE for the First Time

When using USC-LCE for the first time, it is recommended that you run the following wizards:

USC Settings

network settings.

Platform Update

Using USC Settings Wizard

Use USC Settings wizard to specify the language, keyboard layout, and network settings for USC or USC-LCE only. This does not change system or other application settings.

22 Using USC or USC-LCE

Specifying Language, and Keyboard Type

In the left pane, click

In the right pane, click

USC Settings

Language and Keyboard

down-arrow keys to select the options.

From the

Click

Finish

Configuring Network Settings (NIC Card)

In the left pane, click

In the right pane, click

From the

Language

Keyboard Type

drop-down menu, select the language.

drop-down menu, select the keyboard type.

to save the new settings.

USC Settings

Network Settings

NIC card

drop-down menu, select the NIC card to

configure.

In the

IP Address Source

drop-down menu, select one of the following

options:

NOTE: The IP Address Source function only supports IPv4.

•

No Configuration

•

DHCP

— Obtains an IP address from a DHCP server.

•

Static IP

— Uses a static IP address. Specify the following

address properties —

— Does not configure the NIC.

Gateway, DNS Address

contact the network administrator.

Click

Finish

to save the settings.

. Use the up-arrow and

IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default

. If you do not have this information,

NOTE: If USC settings are not configured correctly, an error message is displayed.

Accessing Help

Each USC or USC-LCE screen has a Help icon in the upper-right corner. Click Help to display help for the current screen.

Viewing Readme

Click About View Readme to display the Readme file.

Using USC or USC-LCE 23

24 Using USC or USC-LCE

USC and USC-LCE Features

This chapter provides a brief description of the Unified Server Configurator (USC) and Unified Server Configurator-Lifecycle Controller Enabled  (USC-LCE) features. Also helps you familiarize with USC and USC-LCE wizards to use USC-LCE most effectively. Table 3-1 lists the features that USC and USC-LCE supports. Each feature is a wizard in USC and USCLCE.

Table 3-1. USC and USC-LCE Wizards

Wizards/Menu Description USC USC-LCE

Home Navigate back to Home screen. Ye s Ye s

Lifecycle Log

USC-LCE Platform Update

and

Platform Rollback

Hardware Configuration

Operating System Deployment

Platform Restore

Hardware Diagnostics

Using USC Settings Wizard

About View the version information of USC-LCE and

View and export lifecycle log, and add a work note to lifecycle log.

Apply updates or perform platform rollback for the system.

Configure system devices. No Yes

Install an operating system. Ye s Ye s

Backup, export, and restore system profile. No Yes

Perform diagnostics to validate the memory, I/O devices, CPU, physical disks, and other peripherals.

Specify the language, keyboard layout, and network settings while using USC or USC-LCE.

UEFI.

No Yes

Ye s Ye s

USC and USC-LCE Features 25

Lifecycle Log

Lifecycle Controller provides the history of firmware changes of the related components installed on a managed node. The log contains the following:

• Firmware update history based on device, version, and date

• Events based on severity, category, and date

• User comments history based on date

NOTE: Lifecycle log is available even if the operating system is not installed on the

system and is independent of the power state of the system.

Using this wizard, you can view, export, and add a work note to a log history.

See Also:

• Viewing Lifecycle Log History

• Exporting Lifecycle Log

• Adding a Work Note to Lifecycle Log

USC-LCE Platform Update

Use the Platform Update wizard to:

• View the current versions of the installed applications and firmware.

• Display the list of available updates.

• Select the required updates, downloads (automatic), and apply the updates.

To ensure optimal system performance and avoid system failures, it is recommended that you download and apply updates on a regular basis.

Contact your IT administrator for the preferred method to access the updates in your organization. The IT administrator can provide the updates on any of the following locations or media:

•FTP server

• Local USB device

•

Dell Server Updates

•Network share

26 USC and USC-LCE Features

DVD

If the FTP server or network share is used for update, configure the network card using USC Settings wizard before accessing the updates.

See Also:

• Updating Platform

FTP Authentication

USC supports anonymous login by authenticating the blank username, a password of your choice, and the FTP server address with the FTP server 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 be configured to accept incoming FTP response traffic.

See Also:

• Using USC Settings Wizard

• Updating Platform

• Configuring a Local FTP Server

Platform Rollback

USC-LCE enables you to roll back the BIOS or firmware to a previouslyinstalled version. It is recommended to use this feature if you have a problem with the current version, and want to revert to the previously-installed version.

NOTE: You cannot roll back the hardware diagnostics application, and operating

system driver pack installation to earlier versions.

This feature is available:

• If you have used the USC-LCE update feature to update BIOS and firmware, or

• If you have updated the system BIOS or firmware using a postoperating system Dell Update Package.

NOTE: If you have used other update methods, this feature is not available.

See Also:

• Rolling Back to Previous BIOS and Firmware Versions

USC and USC-LCE Features 27

Hardware Configuration

USC-LCE provides different wizards for configuring hardware, and they are:

Configuration Wizards

Use the configuration wizards to configure system devices. The Configuration Wizards include Physical Security Configuration, System Date/Time Configuration, iDRAC Configuration, RAID Configuration, Key Encryption, and vFlash SD card Configuration.

See Also:

• Controlling Access to the System Control Panel

• Configuring System Date/Time

• Configuring iDRAC

• RAID Configuration

NOTE: You can also configure RAID through the OS Deployment wizard. For

more information, see

Wizard

• Creating a Secure Virtual Disk on Series 7 Controller

• Configuring vFlash SD Card

• Key Encryption

HII Advanced Configuration

Use the Human Interface Infrastructure (HII) to configure BIOS, and certain devices such as NIC. See

Configuring RAID Using Operating System Deployment

HII Advanced Configuration

for more information.

Hardware Inventory–View and Export

NOTE: The Hardware Inventory feature is disabled if the iDRAC firmware is not

updated to the supported version. Make sure to install iDRAC firmware version 3.2 for Blade systems and 1.7 for Rack and Tower systems.

About View and Export Current Inventory

You can view the hardware information about the currently installed hardware components that are internal to the system chassis and the configuration for each component. The table lists all the currently installed hardware

28 USC and USC-LCE Features

components (for example, fans, PCI devices, NICs, DIMMs, PSU, and so on), and their properties and values. From the Filter by Hardware Component drop-down menu, select the hardware component to view its properties and values. You can export this information or

Network Share. The XML file is saved in this format -

in the XML format into a

USB Device

HardwareInventory_<servicetag>_<timestamp>.xml.

For more information on the easy-to-use names of the hardware components, see Table B-1.

NOTE: Incorrect inventory data is displayed or exported after performing Delete

Configuration and Reset Defaults. See

after Resetting Lifecycle Controller

Viewing and Exporting Hardware Inventory

for displaying correct inventory data.

See Also:

• Viewing Hardware Inventory–Current or Factory Shipped

• Exporting Hardware Inventory–Current or Factory Shipped

About View and Export Factory Shipped Inventory

You can view the hardware information about the factory installed hardware components and their configuration. The table lists all the factory installed hardware components (for example, fans, PCI devices, NICs, DIMMs, PSU, and so on), and their properties and values. From the Filter by Hardware Component drop-down menu, select the hardware component to view its properties and values. You can export this information into a

USB Device,

Network Share,

or both the locations.

in this XML format

For more information on the easy-to-use names of the hardware components, see Table B-1.

View and Export factory shipped inventory feature may be grayed-out on the system due to one of the following:

• This feature requires factory installed data. Although the current version supports this feature, the factory installed data is not present on the system.

• Delete Configuration and Reset Defaults was applied and this has permanently deleted the Factory Shipped Inventory.

USC and USC-LCE Features 29

See Also:

• Viewing Hardware Inventory–Current or Factory Shipped

• Exporting Hardware Inventory–Current or Factory Shipped

Delete Configuration and Reset Defaults

You can delete the current iDRAC settings and reset iDRAC to factory defaults. It also deletes lifecycle logs and the factory shipped inventory information on the managed node. For more information, s

Configuration and Resetting Defaults

ee Deleting

Operating System Deployment

Driver Access

For USC

USC does not provide local drivers repository or does not support single Update Package packages:

• ftp.dell.com

•

Local FTP

•USB device

•

Dell Systems Build and Update Utility

See Also:

Selecting Operating System Driver Source Location (for USC only)

(DUP.) Use one of the following options to access the driver

DVD

Dell

For USC-LCE

USC-LCE provides a local repository for drivers that are required for operating system installation. Based on the operating system being installed, the OS Deployment wizard extracts these drivers and copies them to a staging directory.

NOTE: Although, USC-LCE has embedded drivers that are factory installed, there

may be latest drivers available. Before installing the operating system, run the Platform Update wizard to ensure that the latest drivers are available. See

Platform

for more information.

30 USC and USC-LCE Features

Updating

+ 102 hidden pages

Dell Lifecycle Controller 1.5.5 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Introduction

Why Use USC/USC-LCE?

USC and USC-LCE Features and Product Classification

What’s new in USC/USC-LCE 1.5

Upgrading to USC or USC-LCE

Other Documents You May Need

Using USC or USC-LCE

Launching USC or USC-LCE

Enabling USC or USC-LCE

Disabling USC or USC-LCE

Canceling Request to Enter System Services

Using USC for the First Time

Using USC-LCE for the First Time

Using USC Settings Wizard

USC and USC-LCE Features

Lifecycle Log

USC-LCE Platform Update

FTP Authentication

Platform Rollback

Hardware Configuration

Configuration Wizards

HII Advanced Configuration

Delete Configuration and Reset Defaults

Operating System Deployment

Driver Access