Users Guide

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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 using a graphical user interface (GUI). 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.
NOTE: The UEFI environment provides the local console interface and the infrastructure for locally managed system
components.
Lifecycle Controller has the following components:
• GUI:
– Is an embedded configuration utility that resides on an embedded flash memory card.
– Is similar to the BIOS utility that is started during the boot sequence, and can function in a pre-operating system
environment.
– Enables server and storage management tasks from an embedded environment throughout the life cycle of the server.
• Remote Services (WS-Man) simplify end-to-end server life cycle management using the one-to-many method. It interfaces for
remote deployment integrated with Dell OpenManage Essentials and partner consoles. For more information about remote
services features, see Dell Lifecycle Controller Remote Services Quick Start Guide at dell.com/support/home.
Why use 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 Operating System device drivers directly on the server. This eliminates the media-based system
management tools and utilities traditionally needed for systems management.
Benefits of using iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller
The benefits include:
• Increased availability — Early notification of potential or actual failures that help prevent a server failure or reduce recovery time
after failure.
• Improved productivity and lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) — Extending the reach of administrators to larger number of
distant servers can make the IT staff more productive while driving down operational costs such as travel.
• Secure environment — By providing secure access to remote servers, administrators can perform critical management
functions while maintaining server and network security.
• Enhanced embedded management — Lifecycle Controller provides deployment and simplified serviceability through the LC GUI
for local deployment, Remote Services (wsman) interfaces for remote deployment integrated with Dell OpenManage Essentials
and partner consoles, and Redfish UI.
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