Overview 7
1
Overview
The Lifecycle Controller software
components are built upon the integrated
Dell Remote Access Controller 6 (iDRAC6) Express card and the Unified
Extensible Firmware Infrastructure (UEFI) system firmware. The iDRAC6
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.
The UEFI environment provides the local console interface and the
infrastructure for locally managed system components.
Unified Server Configurator (USC) or Unified Server Configurator-Lifecycle
Controller Enabled (USC-LCE) provides an
embedded solution on the local
server to assist with provisioning in a pre-operating system environment. It
simplifies the end-to-end server lifecycle management as described below:
• Provisioning — Entire pre-operating system configuration from a unified
interface.
• Deployment — Simplifies operating system installation with drivers
resident on the Lifecycle Controller.
• Patching/Updates (USC-LCE only) — Operating system agnostic and
minimizes the maintenance downtime with direct access to updates on
the Dell support site. It simplifies BIOS and firmware updates by
maintaining a working version for rollback purpose.
• Servicing (USC-LCE only) — Continuous availability of diagnostics
without hard drive dependency. Provides capability to flash firmware
automatically when replacing field replaceable components such as a Dell
PowerEdge RAID controller, NIC or power supply.
Why Use USC/USC-LCE?
Systems management is typically a key part of an administrator’s role. Being
able to install an operating system, updating firmware for function and
policies requirements, configuring devices and getting the most out of an IT
network are integral aspects of this role. In the past, many tools have been
used to help the administrator, starting with tools such as DSA, Systems Build
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