Concept Guide

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-to-many 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 Provisioning Server feature to identify and authenticate the attached Dell system to the network and
integration with one‑to-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
already-deployed 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, Web Services for Management (WSMAN) interfaces, and Redfish
management 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, VMware vCenter have integrated Dell Lifecycle Controller to utilize
its features and capabilities to an existing infrastructure, where these consoles are installed.
Topics:
• Advantages of using Lifecycle Controller
• Benefits of using iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller
• Key features
• New in this release
• Advantages of using Lifecycle Controller Remote Services
• Licensable features in Lifecycle Controller
• About iDRAC RESTful API with Redfish and Web Service APIs
• About Lifecycle Controller API
• About one-to-many management achieved
• Other information that you may need
• Accessing documents from the Dell EMC support site
• Contacting Dell
Advantages of using 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.
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