Dell Repository Manager Data Center Version 1.
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. © 2013 Dell Inc.
Contents Notes, Cautions, and Warnings...................................................................................................2 1 Overview.......................................................................................................................................7 What Is New In This Release...................................................................................................................................7 Accessing Documents From Dell Support Site........................
Creating An Update Repository For Dell Management Plug-In For VMware vCenter Using Inventory Data..................................................................................................................................................................25 Creating An Update Repository For Dell OpenManage Essentials..................................................................27 Creating An Empty Repository.............................................................................................
Working With Jobs Queue......................................................................................................................................50 Stopping Jobs In The Jobs Queue...................................................................................................................50 Starting Jobs In The Jobs Queue.....................................................................................................................50 Removing Jobs In The Jobs Queue.....................
Overview 1 The Dell Repository Manager (DRM) ensures that the Dell systems are up-to-date with the latest BIOS, driver, firmware, and software. DRM allows you to: • Create repositories of customized bundles and updates • Create groups of related updates for systems running the Microsoft Windows operating system • Generate comparison reports and update baselines of custom repositories The customized bundles and repositories are made up of Dell Update Packages (DUPs).
– Remote Enterprise System Management – Serviceability Tools 6. To view the document, click the required product version. NOTE: You can also directly access the documents using the following links: • For Enterprise System Management documents — dell.com/openmanagemanuals • For Remote Enterprise System Management documents — dell.com/esmmanuals • For Serviceability Tools documents — dell.com/serviceabilitytools • For Client System Management documents — dell.
Updating Dell Repository Manager 2 You can update the Dell Repository Manager to the latest available version using the following methods: • Updating Dell Repository Manager At Launch • Updating Dell Repository Manager Using The Application Settings • Updating Dell Repository Manager Using Updater Updating Dell Repository Manager At Launch 1. Launch the Dell Repository Manager. The Dell Repository Manager checks for the latest available version of the application at ftp.dell.com.
Updating The Dell Repository Manager Using The Updater 1. Click Start → All Programs → Dell Repository Manager v folder. Where x.x is the version number of the Dell Repository Manager installed on the system. NOTE: For Microsoft Windows 8 and Microsoft Windows Server 2012, a shortcut key is available for Dell Repository Manager, once you press the Start button. 2. Select the Dell Repository Manager Updater option.
System Requirements And Uninstalling The Dell Repository Manager 3 This chapter lists the systems requirements and procedures to uninstall DRM. Prerequisites For Installing The Dell Repository Manager This section lists the specific prerequisites for installing the DRM.
Requirement Details NOTE: The Dell Repository Manager user interface is displayed only in English irrespective of the language of the operating system on which it is installed. NOTE: Internet connectivity and DVD burning software are optional requirements. You can use the Dell Repository Manager for local repositories, without Internet connectivity. The DVD burning software is required only for functions such as burning a custom Server Update Utility DVD or a bootable Linux CD.
User Scenarios 4 This section describes the various features of the Dell Repository Manager (DRM) and the user scenarios. Using FileStore Save Disk Space In System Drive (C: Drive) DRM 1.6 onwards, the configurable FileStore feature helps the user to save disk space on the System Hard Disk. The default file location for the FileStore is C:\Users\\AppData\Local\RepositoryManager\FileStore. However, the FileStore can be moved to a different location after DRM is installed on the system.
The following flow chart describes the process in detail.
Search Dell Support Site And Schedule Automatic Search Searching for updates in support site is a manual process, eventually you can search updates for only one system at a time. Using DRM 1.6, you can search the Dell Support Site for the latest catalog file and also the Dell Update Packages (DUPs). The purpose of using DRM is to search for updates for multiple systems at a time, so that all the relevant updates can be downloaded in the respective systems. Some of the systems have Non DUP updates.
The following flowchart describes the process of searching the support site: 16
Creating Bootable CD or USB Keys For Updates You can create bootable USB keys for updates, using any third party or free tool. You can start your managed system by the bootable CD or USB storage. After the system starts up, it automatically runs the selected updates. After the update is complete, you can remove the CD or USB storage, and reboot the system to your host operating system.
The System inventory window is displayed. 4. 5. Under Use inventory data from Dell OpenManage Essentials? option select one of the following: – Yes — To create a custom repository using the inventory option. – No — To create a custom repository without using the inventory option. If you select Yes, click Connect. The Dell OME Host Details window is displayed. NOTE: If you select No, the only available option is to create the custom repository with the Latest updates for all devices. 6.
4. Under Use inventory data from Dell Management Virtual Appliance Host, select one of the following: – 5. Yes — To retrieve inventory data. – No — To proceed without retrieving inventory data. If you select Yes, click Connect. The Dell Management Virtual Appliance User Credentials window is displayed. NOTE: If you select No, the only available option is to create the custom repository with the Latest updates for all devices. 6.
6. Click Next to proceed or click Cancel to exit without making any changes. 7. Once the plugin is found, click Next to continue. 8. On the Browse For Folder window, select the location where you want to save the SUU. You can save it to an existing folder or create a new one. 9. Click OK to continue or click Cancel to exit without making changes. 10. On the Export Summary window, click Finish to complete the action or, Cancel to exit without saving.
Using The Dell Repository Manager 5 You can perform the following tasks: • Create repositories • Import legacy repositories • Update repositories • Export catalog • Export repositories • Modify repository • Work with bundles • Work with components • Search repositories based on different criterion by setting the filters • Work with jobs queue • Search Dell Support Site • Scheduling Automatic Search Related Topics • Creating A Customized Repository • Working With My Repositories
Configuring Source Repository To configure a default repository: 1. On the Dell Repository Manager screen, click Application. 2. In the Settings menu, click the Source Repository option. 3. In the Source Repository window, select one of the following as the default repository: – Dell online repository (ftp.dell.com) NOTE: When a new catalog file is available from dell, the New Catalog Available notification appears on the menu bar. You can import the latest catalog file using this notification.
4. – Notify me of new plugins when application is launched – Manually check for new plugins Under the Source of Plugin Update, select one of the following options: – Online (ftp.dell.com) — Downloads the plug-in from the FTP site. – Folder — Updates the plug-in from a local folder on your system. 5. If you select Online (ftp.dell.com), click Download to save the plug-ins. If you select Folder, click Browse to navigate to the location of the plugin. 6. Click OK.
The Create Repository window is displayed. 2. Type the Name: and Description:. 3. Click Next. The Base Repository window is displayed. NOTE: Click Cancel at any time to exit without creating a new repository. 4. Select a source for the repository. The options available are: 5. – Source Repository — Imports the default repository. This option is enabled only if you have access to the Internet. You can import the bundle(s) and components from this repository into the repositories you create.
The Select Models window is displayed. 13. Select the system model(s) based on the form factor you selected. The available options are: – Include All Models supported by this repository — Includes all the available systems. – Select Model(s) — Allows you to select specific systems from the displayed list of systems. 14. Click Next. The Select Bundles window is displayed. 15. In the Select Bundles window, select the bundle(s) to include in the repository.
The base repository window is displayed. 3. Select a source for the repository. The options available are: 4. – Source Repository — Imports the default repository. This option is enabled only if you have access to the Internet. – My Repositories — All of the existing repositories get activated in the window below the Local repositories option. Allows you to select an existing repository as the base repository. Click Next. The System Inventory window is displayed. 5.
Creating An Update Repository For Dell OpenManage Essentials To create an update repository for Dell OpenManage Essentials (OME): 1. On the My Repositories tab in the Dell Repository Manager, click New → Dell OpenManage Essentials (OME) inventory. 2. Type the Name: and Description: and click Next. NOTE: Click Cancel to exit without saving. The Base Repository window is displayed. 3. Select a source for the repository. The options available are: 4.
Creating An Empty Repository To create an empty repository: 1. In the Dell Repository Manager, click on the My Repositories → New. 2. Select the Empty (no inventory) option. The new empty repository is created and added under the My Repositories tab. The name of the empty repository appears in the following format: Repository You can add bundle(s) and component(s) to the empty repository.
NOTE: Deleting a repository deletes the repository data and the associated files from the database, once you confirm the operation. NOTE: The Delete option is disabled until you select any particular repository. Refreshing From My Repositories You can use the Refresh option to refresh the list of repositories that appear in the My Repositories screen, observe the changes to the components or bundles.
4. – Import only the catalog reference file (e.g. catalog.xml) – Import the catalog reference file and download the actual update files contained within it Click Import. A pop-up window appears indicating that the job has been added to the Jobs Queue. 5. Click OK to close it. To view the component(s) in this repository, click My Repositories, select the imported repository, and click Open. The bundle(s) are displayed in the Bundle(s) tab and the component(s) are displayed in the Components tab.
corresponding to the files you want to add to the destination repository and click Update. You can filter the files using the System or Device filters. 5. Select the updates for the destination repository. 6. Select the Show report after update check box if you want to view the update report. The destination repository is updated with the latest versions of the updates available in the source repository. The update report for the selected repositories appears in the Repository Update Report window.
NOTE: When a new catalog file is available from Dell, New Catalog Available notification appears on the menu bar. Click the notification to import the latest catalog file. Once the online repository is loaded, the bundles and components in the repository appear under the respective tabs. NOTE: Once the Source Catalog is installed on the Dell Repository Manager, it enables the Sync Database with Source option. Viewing The Properties Of A Repository To view the properties of a repository: 1.
– For OME, confirm the Host Name or IP Address is correct and if needed, provide the User Name and Password. – 4. For vCenter, confirm the Dell Virtual Appliance IP or Host that is auto populated and then click Check Availability. Once it is confirmed, the Registered vCenter Server IP or Host is auto populated. Verify that the information is correct and then provide the vCenter server username and password. Click OK to continue.
5. On the Select Repository window, select one of the following and click Next. – Source Repository — Imports the default repository. This option is enabled only if you have access to the internet. You can import the bundle(s) and components from this repository into the repositories you create. – My Repositories — Allows you to select an existing repository as a base repository. The Select Brand(s) window is displayed. 6.
To create a bundle: 1. On the My Repositories tab, select the repository to which you want to add the component, and click Open. 2. On the Bundles tab, click + Add. The Import Bundle(s) window is displayed. 3. Click Next. The Import Options window is displayed. 4. On the Import Options window, select Manually create a bundle, then perform the following: 5. In the Name and Version window, type the name and version for the bundle. 6.
The following message appears: Are you sure you want to permanently delete selected bundles? 4. Click Yes to delete the bundle(s) or click No to exit without deleting bundles and return to the main page. If you click Yes, the Please Wait... window appears while optimizing the database. Cloning Bundles You can create an exact copy of an existing bundle with a new name and version for the copy. To clone a bundle: 1. On the My Repositories tab select the desired repository, and click Open. 2.
The first time you click Close, it closes the Comparison Report and returns to the Compare Bundles window. You must click Cancel to close the Compare Bundles window. Deleting Components From Bundles You can customize the Dell recommended bundle(s) by removing components, adding DUPs, or modifying the titles of bundle(s). To customize bundle(s): 1. On the My Repositories tab, select the repository to which you want to add the component, and click Open. 2.
6. If you have selected Export to Repository → Export to existing Repository , then the Select Repository window is displayed, in the Select Repository window, select the repository you want the bundle to be moved to and then click Next to continue. NOTE: If the user has selected Export to Repository → Export as New Repository then the Name and Description window is displayed. Provide a name for the new repository in the Name: and a description (optional) in the Description: field. 7. Click Next.
If the system you boot through Bootable ISO is supported by one base line (bundle), execution automatically starts. When a deployment folder is created, a new Readme.html is created within the ISO file along with the bundle(s) in the location you provided. The readme file describes the contents of the deployment kit such as platform included, operating system (OS), and information about components. NOTE: If you select a Windows bundle(s), the bundle(s) are skipped.
For example, if you select Windows-DUP, Dell Repository Manager displays the components applicable to the Windows operating system. If you select Non-DUP, Dell Repository Manager displays components that are operating systemindependent. Release Date Filters components based on the release date of the components.
To export a Dell recommended or a custom bundle as a fully functional SUU: 1. On the My Repositories tab select the desired repository, and click Open. 2. Click the Bundles tab. 3. Select the bundle(s) you want to export from the list of displayed bundle(s), and click Export. The Export Bundle(s) window is displayed. 4. In the Export Bundle(s) window, click Next to continue. The Select Destination window is displayed. 5.
To customize the script for deployment: 1. On the My Repositories tab select the specific repository, and click Open. 2. Click the Bundles tab. 3. Select the bundle(s) you want to export from the list of displayed bundle(s), and click Export. The Export Bundle(s) window is displayed. 4. In the Export Bundle(s) window, click Next. The Select Destination window is displayed. 5.
Adding Components You can add components from other bundle(s) and repositories to the bundle or the repository you select. Before you can add components, you must download them and save them to a specific location. To import components to the repository: 1. Select the Components that you want to add and click Download File. The Browse For Folder window displayed. 2.
By default, the name of the bundle is New Bundle (Windows) for Windows, for Linux it is Linux and for any other options (which is OS independent), it is Any. Also the version number is 1.0 for all these options. 5. 6. Under OS Type, select any one for the following options: – Windows – Linux – Any Click Next. The Select OS window is displayed. 7. Select one of the following, and click Next >: – Select all Operating Systems — This option is selected by default.
3. In the Browse For Folder window navigate to where you want to save these components before adding them to another bundle or repository, and click OK. A Component download Queued window is displayed. NOTE: The job has been submitted to the Jobs Queue. You can check the Jobs Queue to follow the progress. Copying Components To copy to components: 1. On the My Repositories tab select the desired repository, and click Open. 2. On the Components tab, select the component(s) to copy. 3. Click Copy To.
You can select multiple platforms by pressing and holding the key while selecting the platforms. The Copy Component Summary window is displayed. b) Click Finish. The Copy Components window is displayed with the details in the Selected Components: and Destination Components: fields. NOTE: If any error or warnings are found in the export, a message is displayed on Copy Components window. Click the Errors/Warnings button to view the details. c) Click Close to return to the Components tab. 15.
3. On the Components screen, the component(s) you want to delete, and click Delete. The Delete Component(s) window is displayed. 4. In the Delete Component(s) window, select one of the following: – Delete from Bundle(s) — Deletes the component only from the bundle. – Delete from Repository — Deletes the component from the corresponding repository.
NOTE: When you select a platform, Repository Manager displays all the applicable updates relevant to that platform. However, not all these updates may be available at www.dell.com/support. Component Version Filters components based on the version of the component. The available options are: • • • Operating System All — Displays all the components in the selected repository irrespective of the component version. Most Recent — Displays the most recent version of the component in the selected repository.
Working With Filters The Dell Repository Manager has an extensive search mechanism that allows you to query repositories, create filters, save, and load filters. Using the filtering capabilities of the Dell Repository Manager, you can view specific bundle(s) and Dell Update Packages (DUPs) from any selected repository.
Working With Jobs Queue The Jobs Queue option is available once you launch the Dell Repository Manager. Jobs Queue is a feature which is added to the Dell Repository Manager to enhance usability. You can control and perform different tasks for various repositories under the same console using this feature. With the previous versions of the DRM (until DRM 1.4) users needed to wait for one job to complete before performing another job.
The Job Details window displays the information on the Job Name, Repository, Job Status, Job Result, Download Path, and the information on the Files failed to download. 3. Click Log to view the timing details. 4. Click Close.
– Import updates to an existing repository — This option allows you to import update files to repositories that exist in the Dell Repository Manager. – Import updates to a new repository — This option is selected by default. You can type a prefix for the new repository. By default the prefix is Repo. – Save updates to a local repository — This option is also selected by default.
In the Search Results window you can view the details for individual updates. The Dell Update Package tab displays whether the update is a DUP or non-DUP file. You can download a file or export a DUP file to the local system as well as a component for an existing or new repository. You can also download the non-DUP files to the system, however, you cannot export the non-DUP files. NOTE: If there are no updates found, a window is displayed with the message No updates found for the selected platforms.
For example, if you select Urgent, the Dell Repository Manager displays all the components that require an immediate update. Update Type • Filters the component(s) based on the type of update required for the component. The available options are BIOS, Firmware, Driver, Application, and Utilities. For example, if you select BIOS, the Dell Repository Manager displays all the bundle(s) and components that require a BIOS update.
Frequently Asked Questions 6 This section lists some frequently asked questions about the Dell Repository Manager. Where is the Dell Repository Manager runtime log located? Dell Repository Manager creates two log files at runtime: • DellRepositoryManager_Server.svclog — Data Center Version • DellRepositoryManager_Client.svclog — Business Client Version The log file is located in C:\Users\\AppData\ Local\RepositoryManager\Log. I see an update present in dell.
Why would I use the Dell Repository Manager to create the catalog that LifeCycle Controller uses, instead of just using the catalog on the Server Update Utility (SUU)? Since, SUU supports Dell systems from Dell PowerEdge 8th generation systems to the most current systems, the catalog size on SUU is greater (over 7 GB), than the catalog size on the Dell Repository Manager.
