Dell v2.10.10.10 User Manual

Dell Lifecycle Controller Remote Services v2.10.10.10
Quick Start Guide
Notes, cautions, and warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
intellectual property laws. Dell™ and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.
2015 - 04
Rev. A00
Contents
1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 5
Benefits of using iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller...............................................................................5
Key features........................................................................................................................................... 6
What’s new in this release?................................................................................................................... 7
Why use Lifecycle Controller Remote Services?..................................................................................7
Licensable features in Lifecycle Controller.......................................................................................... 7
What is the Web Service API?................................................................................................................8
Where can the Lifecycle Controller API be used from?...................................................................... 8
Who can use the API?........................................................................................................................... 9
How is one-to-many management achieved?....................................................................................9
Other documents you may need......................................................................................................... 9
Accessing documents from Dell Support Site................................................................................... 10
Contacting Dell....................................................................................................................................10
2 Remote Services Features................................................................................. 12
Deployment and configuration...........................................................................................................12
Server configuration profiles.........................................................................................................12
BIOS configuration........................................................................................................................ 12
iDRAC configuration......................................................................................................................12
RAID configuration........................................................................................................................ 13
NIC configuration.......................................................................................................................... 14
Operating system deployment......................................................................................................14
Near Field Communication (NFC) using the QuickSync feature................................................. 15
Configuring advance security using hash password....................................................................15
Configuring USB management port............................................................................................. 16
Monitor................................................................................................................................................ 16
Collecting System Inventory......................................................................................................... 16
Hardware inventory....................................................................................................................... 17
Lifecycle log................................................................................................................................... 17
System event log........................................................................................................................... 18
Firmware inventory........................................................................................................................18
Event alerts.....................................................................................................................................18
Embedded Tech Support Report.................................................................................................. 18
Out-of-band server performance monitoring.............................................................................19
Maintain................................................................................................................................................19
Server configuration profiles — export or import........................................................................ 19
Firmware update............................................................................................................................19
Part replacement...........................................................................................................................20
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Server profile — export or import.................................................................................................20
Server license — import................................................................................................................20
Auto discovery...............................................................................................................................20
Retire or repurpose the server...................................................................................................... 21
Managing the web server certificate.............................................................................................21
Viewing the managed computer system using the Physical Computer System View............... 21
Job management................................................................................................................................22
Job types....................................................................................................................................... 22
System status.................................................................................................................................23
3 Getting started with API collateral and links.................................................24
Profiles.................................................................................................................................................24
Lifecycle Controller-related profiles............................................................................................ 24
MOF WSDL and XSD API definitions...................................................................................................29
Managed object file.......................................................................................................................29
Web service description language................................................................................................29
XML schema description...............................................................................................................29
Web services interface guide..............................................................................................................29
Best practices guide............................................................................................................................30
Attribute registry XML......................................................................................................................... 30
Event message registry XML...............................................................................................................30
XML schemas...................................................................................................................................... 30
Authorization and licensing requirements for API access................................................................. 31
White papers........................................................................................................................................32
Lifecycle Controller and iDRAC white papers..............................................................................32
4 Integrating the Lifecycle Controller API........................................................ 33
API clients............................................................................................................................................ 33
Best practices workflow references................................................................................................... 33
Sample scripts and tools.....................................................................................................................33
Applications using Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services................................................................ 34
WinRM and OpenWSMAN installation and configuration................................................................. 34
5 Social media reference...................................................................................... 35
Systems Management forum section.................................................................................................35
6 Terms and definitions........................................................................................ 36
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Introduction

Dell Lifecycle Controller provides advanced embedded systems management to perform systems management tasks such as deploy, configure, update, maintain, and diagnose. It is delivered as part of integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) out-of-band solution and embedded Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) applications in the latest Dell servers. iDRAC 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.
Dell Lifecycle Controller Remote Services further enables remote systems management in a one-to­many method. Remote services is accessible over the network using the secure web services interface and can be programmatically utilized by applications and scripts. Remote services enable management consoles to perform one-to-many bare-metal server provisioning. The combination of the Auto­discovery feature to identify and authenticate the attached Dell system to the network and integration with oneto-many management consoles reduces the manual steps required for server setup and management. The Server Configuration Profiles provide a single view of all the system settings that can be imported and exported from the server to perform one-to-many cloning operations. The interface is aimed at simplifying many tasks, some of which include remotely deploying an operating system, remote update and inventory, and remotely automating the setup and configuration of new and already­deployed Dell systems.
Lifecycle Controller reduces the time and number of steps taken to accomplish tasks, reduces potential for error, enhances server and application uptime and security, and results in more efficient IT management. Developed on the industry standard Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) platform and Web Services for Management (WSMAN) interfaces, Lifecycle Controller provides an open environment for console integration that also allows custom scripting for Lifecycle Controller. Leading systems management consoles such as, Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, BMC Software BladeLogic Operations Manager, Symantec Deployment Solution, and Dell Management Console have integrated Dell Lifecycle Controller to utilize its features and capabilities to an existing infrastructure, where these consoles are installed.

Benefits of using iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller

The iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller technology in the server’s embedded management allows you to perform useful tasks such as configuring BIOS and hardware settings, deploying operating systems, changing RAID settings, and saving hardware profiles. Together, iDRAC and Lifecycle Controller provide a robust set of management functions that can be used throughout the entire server lifecycle.
Dell Lifecycle Controller simplifies server lifecycle management — from provisioning, deployment, patching and updating to servicing and user customization — both locally and remotely. Lifecycle Controller includes managed and persistent storage that embeds systems management features and
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Operating System device drivers directly on the server. This eliminates the media-based system management tools and utilities traditionally needed for systems management.
The benefits include:
Increased Uptime — Early notification of potential or actual failures that help prevent a server failure
or reduce recovery time after a failure.
Improved Productivity and Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) — Extending the reach of
administrators to larger numbers of distant servers can make IT staff more productive while driving
down operational costs such as travel.
Enhanced Security— By providing secure access to remote servers, administrators can perform critical
management functions while maintaining server and network security.
Increased Efficiency— With Lifecycle Controller Remote Services, you can automate the server
configuration management using Dell OpenManage Essentials and Dell partner consoles, which
enables efficient administration as server deployments scale.
For more information about iDRAC, see the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User’s Guide available at dell.com/esmmanuals.

Key features

You can perform the following systems management tasks using Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services:
Install operating systems and drivers
Manage licensing
Perform BIOS firmware updates
Part Replacement and automatic restore of server configuration
Perform component firmware updates
Get hardware inventory information
Get and set NIC/CNA, Fibre Channel host bus adapters (FC-HBA), and RAID configuration
Get and set BIOS configuration and BIOS passwords
Full export of Lifecycle log and add work notes
Export current- and factory-shipped hardware inventory log
Manage, attach, and boot to vFlash SD card partitions
Lock the controllers using the local key
Export and import the server profile
Import server license
View firmware details during server update
Export and import Server Configuration Profiles
Schedule and track the status of the update and configuration
Import and export Server Configuration Profiles file that contains information about a component
configuration
Backplane and enclosure firmware update
Support for FC-HBA cards
Out-of-band server performance monitoring
Enhance security using hash password
View logs, monitoring, and server information, and configure the network parameters of a server
using a mobile device
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Delete server-related information
View the managed system using Physical Computer System View
Manage the web server certificate
Configure the USB management port
View embedded tech support report to resolve business-critical issues
Configure storage devices in real time
Replace motherboard using Import Server Profile feature
Support for PCIeSSD devices

What’s new in this release?

The new features for this release include:
Support for the following Dell PowerEdge systems:
– PowerEdge FC430
– PowerEdge M830
– PowerEdge FC830
– PowerEdge FD332
Support for common iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller firmware across Dell’s 12th and 13th generation
PowerEdge servers.
Support for version 2.10.10.10 on a 13th generation PowerEdge server with iDRAC8 and a 12th
generation PowerEdge server with iDRAC7.
– Support for direct upgrade to version 2.10.10.10 from 2.xx.xx.xx or 1.xx.xx.
NOTE: You cannot downgrade to version 1.xx.xx on a Dell 13th generation PowerEdge server. On a Dell 12th generation PowerEdge server, you can downgrade to 1.xx.xx version. However, you must ensure that you downgrade iDRAC before downgrading Lifecycle Controller.
NOTE: For more information on features supported on Dell 12th and 13th generation PowerEdge servers, see “Feature Matrix” available in the Dell Lifecycle Controller User’s Guide or the related white paper available at the Dell TechCenter.

Why use Lifecycle Controller Remote Services?

When Dell examined the most common management tasks and the inefficiencies associated with them, it discovered that the additional time taken for performing management tasks was not because of the tools, but it was because of how the functions were split between several tools. For example, the most common tasks such as provisioning, deploying, and updating required not only multiple tools and multiple media format, but also searching the Web for tools such as drivers and firmware. This traditional delivery model resulted in inefficient use of time, potential errors, and possible security risks. Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services addresses all these system management issues.

Licensable features in Lifecycle Controller

The Web Services-Management (WS-MAN) License and Privilege Specification encompasses all the license and privilege information required to utilize the WSMAN API provided by the integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) with Lifecycle Controller.
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It was delivered as part of the iDRAC (Express and Enterprise licenses, and vFlash SD card feature) starting with the 11th generation of Dell PowerEdge servers. On 12th and 13th generation of PowerEdge servers, the vFlash feature is included with the iDRAC Enterprise license, so you need not separately license vFlash with Lifecycle Controller 2.0 and later. The 12th and 13th generation of PowerEdge servers of Dell use only Express or Enterprise licensing.
The Lifecycle Controller management capabilities are partitioned into distinct areas and represented by the Dell Common Information Model (DCIM) profile specifications that provide comprehensive details about each manageability feature or capability. These features may be free, partially licensed, or fully licensed. Also, the accessibility of a feature is defined by the credentials provided with the WS-MAN request and maps to the user-assigned privilege credentials, such as administrator- or read-only access.

What is the Web Service API?

Web Services-Management (WS-MAN) is a Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) open standard, defining a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) — based protocol for managing servers, devices, applications, and various web services. WS-MAN provides a common way for systems to access and exchange management information across the IT infrastructure.
DMTF is an industry organization that develops, maintains, and promotes standards for systems management in enterprise IT environments. The DMTF data model is complex and typically requires multiple transactions to accomplish simple operations such as specifying a user name and password, or giving administrator privileges to a user account. To reduce the number of transactions, Lifecycle Controller also offers a Dell data model for management that is based on an attribute model.

Where can the Lifecycle Controller API be used from?

Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services is a standards-based interface that enables consoles to integrate, for example, bare-metal provisioning and one-to-many operating system deployments for remotely located servers. Dell’s Lifecycle Controller takes advantage of the capabilities of both Lifecycle Controller GUI and Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services to deliver significant improvement and simplification of
server deployment.
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Lifecycle controller also supports local one-to-one system management tasks through a graphical user interface (GUI) using the server’s KVM or the Virtual Console in iDRAC for operating system installation, updates, configuration, and for running diagnostics on single and local servers. This eliminates the need for multiple option ROMs for hardware configuration. For more information, see Lifecycle Controller
User’s Guide, available at delltechcenter.com/lc.

Who can use the API?

Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services features are available based on the type of license (that is, Basic Management, iDRAC Express, iDRAC Express for Blades, or iDRAC Enterprise) you purchase. Only licensed features are available in the iDRAC web interface and Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services. For more information about managing licenses, see iDRAC User’s Guide. For more information about Lifecycle Controller-Remote Services licensing, see Licensing.

How is one-to-many management achieved?

A management station sends WS-MAN commands over a network and the WS-MAN commands pass securely through the network from outside the firewall and maintain security.

Other documents you may need

Along with this Quick Start Guide, you can access the following guides.
The Lifecycle Controller Online Help provides information about using the Lifecycle Controller
through the graphical user interface (GUI). To access the Online Help, click Help in the upper-right
corner of Lifecycle Controller GUI or press <F1>.
The Dell Lifecycle Controller GUI User's Guide provides information about using the Lifecycle
Controller features using the GUI.
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The WS-MAN profile documents available at Dell TechCenter (delltechcenter.com/lc) provides
detailed information about the WS-Man commands used to perform Lifecycle Controller related tasks.
The Lifecycle Controller Release Notes provides last-minute updates to the system or documentation
or advanced technical reference material intended for experienced users or technicians.
The iDRAC User’s Guide available at Dell TechCenter (delltechcenter.com/iDRAC) provides
information about using iDRAC web interface and RACADM.

Accessing documents from Dell Support Site

You can access the required documents in one of the following ways:
Using the following links:
– For all Enterprise Systems Management documents — dell.com/softwaresecuritymanuals
– For OpenManage documents — dell.com/openmanagemanuals
– For Remote Enterprise Systems Management documents — dell.com/esmmanuals
– For OpenManage Connections Enterprise Systems Management documents — dell.com/
OMConnectionsEnterpriseSystemsManagement
– For Serviceability Tools documents — dell.com/serviceabilitytools
– For Client Systems Management documents — dell.com/clientsystemsmanagement
– For OpenManage Connections Client Systems Management documents — dell.com/
dellclientcommandsuitemanuals
From the Dell Support site:
a. Go to dell.com/support/home.
b. Under Select a product section, click Software & Security.
c. In the Software & Security group box, click the required link from the following:
Enterprise Systems ManagementRemote Enterprise Systems ManagementServiceability ToolsClient Systems ManagementConnections Client Systems Management
d. To view a document, click the required product version.
Using search engines:
– Type the name and version of the document in the search box.

Contacting Dell

NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.
Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues:
1. Go to dell.com/support.
2. Select your support category.
3. Verify your country or region in the Choose a Country/Region drop-down list at the bottom of the
page.
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4. Select the appropriate service or support link based on your need.
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