Users Guide

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?

Systems management is typically a key part of an administrator’s role. Installing an operating system,

updating firmware for function and policy requirements, configuring devices and getting the most out of

an IT network are integral aspects of the administrator’s role. Prior to the release of Lifecycle Controller,

an administrator had to use tools such as Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA), Dell Systems

Build Update Utility (SBUU), and Dell Deployment Toolkit (DTK) shipped on multiple CDs or DVD.

Maintaining and using multiple disks in their many versions was time-consuming effort for the

administrator.

To resolve these problems, Dell provides the Lifecycle Controller, a flash chip embedded on the system

with the Lifecycle Controller application. The Lifecycle Controller allows IT administrators to do away

with media altogether, allowing operating system deployment with locally embedded driver repositories,

firmware updates, hardware configuration, and platform-specific diagnostic routines. As Lifecycle

Controller is available even when the operating system is not functional or not installed, it allows added

flexibility in provisioning the system and customizing to suit your requirements. As the tool is integrated