Module 4PowerEdge M-

Series iDRAC and LifeCycle

Controller 2 Management

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Module Objectives:• Overview of PowerEdge management structure using

iDRAC.

• Access iDRAC via the CMC and GUI.

• Configure Server through the iDRAC GUI.

• License types for iDRAC7.

• Discuss management features available through iDRAC.

• iDRAC7 with LifeCycle Controller.

• Demonstrate benefits usage and ease of management with Lifecycle Controller.

Integrated Dell Remote Access Console

PowerEdge M-Series Management Hardware

iDRAC

CMC iKVM

Blade Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller: iDRAC

• The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is an integrated system-on-chip processor for remote systems monitoring and management. – iDRAC6 Enterprise included with every 11G server (default)– iDRAC7 Enterprise included with every 12G server (default)– iDRAC7 Express is optional for 12G servers

• It is the base circuit, which integrates the baseboard management controller (BMC) function with hardware support for Virtual KVM (vKVM) and Virtual Media (vMedia).

• The iDRAC is responsible for managing the server blades, and the CMC is responsible for managing the enclosure.

• Each iDRAC combines with the CMC to coordinate the necessary power and cooling for the blades.

iDRAC Highlights:• Dedicated management interface for high-

performance management functions. • vMedia.• vKVM.• IPMI 2.0 Out-of-Band management. • Serial-over-LAN redirection. • Systems Management Architecture for Server

Hardware (SMASH) Command Line Protocol (CLP). • Two Ethernet connections, one for each CMC,

providing system management interface redundancy.• Blade status and inventory. • Active power management. • Integration with Microsoft Active Directory.

iDRAC7 Express for Blades vs. Enterprise 12G Express for Blades now includes:

12G Express for Blades does not include:

Single user Virtual Console with remote launch (no sharing, no chat)

Multiple user Virtual Console

Full Virtual Media Directory services (AD, LDAP)

CMC power control & dedicated NIC (as required for blades)

Boot playback

PK authentication

FeatureiDRAC7

Express for Blades

iDRAC7 Enterprise

Remote Control & RemediationServer power control Serial-over-LAN (no proxy) Last crash screen capture Last crash video capture Boot capture Virtual Media Remote File Share Virtual Folders Virtual Console w/ quick launch

Virtual Console collaboration (up to 4 simultaneous users)

Virtual Console Chat Virtual Flash partitions  

Differentiated server management through iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller

Change management made easy

• Component level selection

• Automated tracking with lifecycle logging

• Update schedules that suit your schedule requirements

Speedy deployment and simplified setup • Auto-discovery

• Embedded driver packs

• Wizard-based BIOS GUI

• Media-less tools

• Automated remote configuration

Independence from agent-based monitoring

• Consistency in managing systems

• OS agnostic and no wasted CPU cycles

• Non-intrusive to the software environment, making it more secure

Increased uptime • Roll-back capabilities

• Wizard-based BIOS GUI

• Enhanced error messaging

• Component replacement and reconfiguration

• Motherboard replacement in hours, not days

Performance

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8 Confidential

iDRAC – Enterprise Management Features

• The iDRAC provides the following management features:– Console Redirection: – Dell OpenManage software integration:

› Enables you to launch the iDRAC Web interface from Dell OpenManage Server Administrator or Dell Management Console.

• Consolidated Homepage:– Provides server information, health status, recently logged

events, quick launch to key management tasks, and a preview of the Virtual Console on the iDRAC7 homepage.

• iDRAC alerts: – Alerts you to potential managed node issues through an e-

mail message or SNMP trap.

iDRAC – Enterprise Management Features

• Health Alerts:– Alerts System Administrators about potential or actual

issues on remote servers, through an e-mail message or Platform Event Trap.

• Microsoft Active Directory authentication: – Centralizes iDRAC user IDs and passwords in Active

Directory using the standard or an extended schema.

• Monitoring: – Provides access to system information and status of

components.

• Remote power management:– Provides power functions, such as shutdown and reset via a

GUI.– Delivers extensive power monitoring statistics and

budgeting capabilities.

iDRAC – Enterprise Management Features

• Console Remote system management and monitoring using:– Web interface.– Local racadm command-line interface.

• System log access:– Provides access to the system event log, the iDRAC log,

and the last crash screen of the crashed or unresponsive system. Access is independent of the operating system state.

• Virtual Media: – Enables a managed server to access a local CD/DVD or ISO

images.

iDRAC - Management Interface

• The LCD that is part of the enclosure displays the iDRAC's integration information and the health status of the blade.

• The CMC monitors and manages all components in the enclosure, including iDRACs.

• Additional information can be found at support.dell.com

iDRAC – Enterprise Security Features

• User authentication through Microsoft Active Directory.– Role-based authority, which enables an administrator to

configure privileges for each user with user ID and password configuration through the Web interface.

• SM-CLP and Web interfaces, which support 128-bit SSL encryption and 40-bit SSL encryption (though not available in all countries).

• Configurable IP ports (where applicable).

• Limited IP address range for clients connecting to the iDRAC.

Quick Deploy

What is it?

• A way to quickly deploy the PowerEdge Blade Servers by: Automatically assign IP addresses for PowerEdge Blade Servers Reserve IP addresses for future PowerEdge Blade Servers

How does it work?

• The IP address that is assigned using the QuickDeploy is based on the Starting iDRAC IPv4 Address and this specifies the static IPv4 address of the iDRAC located in the first slot. The static IPv4 address of each subsequent iDRAC is calculated as a slot number increment of this IPv4 address. Ensure that the QuickDeploy Enabled setting has been selected.

Integrated Dell Remote Access Console / Launching Lifecycle Controller

Lifecycle Controller (LC) 2 Key Features:

• Install Operating System and Drivers

• Manage Licensing

• Perform BIOS firmware updates

• Part Replacement

• Perform component firmware updates

• Get hardware inventory information

• Get and set NIC/CAN and RAID configuration

• Get and set BIOS configuration and BIOS passwords

• Export lifecycle log and add work notes

• Export current and factory shipped hardware inventory log

• Improved Productivity and Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

• Secure Environment

• Enhanced Embedded Management through Lifecycle Controller – Lifecycle Controller provides deployment and simplified serviceability through Lifecycle Controller GUI for local deployment and Remote Services (WS- Management) interfaces for remote deployment integrated with Dell OpenManage Essentials and partner consoles.

• .

Lifecycle Controller (LC) 2 Key Features continued:

• Manage, attach, and boot to vFlash SD card partitions

• Lock the controllers using the local key

• Export and import the server profile

• Export and import System Configuration XML

• Schedule and track the status of the update and configuration

Lifecycle Controller – Remote Services 1:M

A management station sends WSMAN commands over a network and the WSMAN commands can traverse the network safely from outside the firewall and still be secure.

Lifecycle Controller – Remote Services 1:1

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.

iDRAC Clarity Web Interface• The iDRAC has a GUI interface to configure the iDRAC

and monitor the blade server.

iDRAC7 Configuration Utility GUI

Launch Virtual Console

LIFECYCLE CONTROLLER 2

Module Summary

• After completing this module you should now be able to:• Understand the PowerEdge iDRAC7 management

structure.• Describe the management network interfaces.• Understand how to configure the system through the

GUI.• Describe the differences between iDRAC7 Express and

Enterprise.

• Understand the new iDRAC7 with LifeCycle Controller.• Benefits and Usage of LifeCycle Controller.

Labs

• Lab 2 Using the iDRAC• Lab 3 M1000e Chassis Setup and Administration• Lab 4 Lifecycle Controller Hardware Diags.

Questions?