Dell Server Concepts
Internal
Firmware
Firmware is software deployed on a specific piece of hardware such as hard drive, BIOS or video card. it is programmed to give permanent instructions to communicate with other devices and perform functions like basic input/output tasks. Firmware is typically stored in flash ROM, but it can be erased and rewritten. Dell PowerEdge servers allow remote firmware updates, after their iDRAC system was initially set up to allow remote access.
Device Drivers
A device driver is an operating system-specific piece of software, designed to enable the interaction of that version of the operating system with a specific hardware device. The device driver acts as a translator between the hardware device and the program or the operating system that uses it. The device driver is operating system-specific and hardware-dependent.
iDRAC
Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is an implementation of IPMI. It alerts administrations to server issues, helps them perform remote server management and reduces the need for physically access to the server. iDRAC includes LifeCycle Controller as part of the integrated management solution. For more details see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_DRAC. The iDRAC systems must be set up as part of the initial server configuration procedure, as described here Dell iDRAC and LifeCycle Controller Configuration.
Dell iDRAC 2.40.40.40 User's Guide PDF: http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_ser_stor_net/esuprt_poweredge/poweredge-r430_User%27s%20Guide_en-us.pdf
IMPI over LAN
The Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) is a set of computer interface specifications for an autonomous computer subsystem that provides management and monitoring capabilities independently of the host system's CPU, firmware and operating system. IPMI provides a way to manage a computer that may be powered off or otherwise unresponsive by using a network connection to the hardware rather than to an operating system or login shell.
LifeCycle Controller
Dell LifeCycle Controller is an embedded systems management technology that enables remote server management over Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC). The LifeCycle controller is part of the Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) solution, LifeCycle can be configured as part of the iDRAC configuration. LifeCycle Controller can be used to update the firmware using a local or Dell-based firmware repository, perform operating system installations, configuration, update, maintenance and diagnosis. The LifeCycle controller can be accessed at boot pressing F10. Upon the first startup, the LifeCycle controller must be set up, according to the following procedure.
Dell LifeCycle controller v2.40.40.40 User's Guide PDF http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_ser_stor_net/esuprt_poweredge/poweredge-r430_User%27s%20Guide2_en-us.pdf
Lights Out Management (LOM) Port
Dell OpenManage Server Administrator
Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) is a software agent that provides systems management capabilities via a Web browser-based graphical user interface (GUI) and from a command line interface (CLI) through the operating system. OMSA is designed so that system administrators can manage server systems both locally and remotely on a network. It also interfaces with OpenManage Essentials (OME) console, which allows for monitoring of the systems in the data center from a single interface.
More configuration and operational details are available here:
Dell System Update (DSU)
Dell System Update (DSU) is an application used to distribute Dell updates for Linux and Microsoft Windows. The DSU distributes the OpenManage Server Administrator, BIOS and firmware updates for different servers. For more details on Dell dsu, see
Dell Update Package (DUP)
Dell Update Package. The location of the latest DUP can be found following the instructions available here: Getting the Latest Dell Update Packages (DUP).
Lifecycle Controller OS Driver Pack DVD
Distributed as a DVD ISO image, contains Dell Update Packages (DUPs). Also referred to as "Operating System Driver Packs DVD".
Dell Linux Repository
The purpose of Dell Linux Repository is to distributed official Dell software for Dell servers running Linux. That includes OpenManage Server Administrator, BIOS and firmware updates, diagnostic applications, etc. More details about the Dell Linux Repository are available here: