Dell 
PowerEdge T310 Technical Guide      60 
   
16.3  Embedded Server Management 
The PowerEdge T310 implements circuitry for the next generation of Embedded Server Management. It 
is Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) v2.0 compliant. The optional iDRAC (Integrated Dell 
Remote Access Controller) is responsible for acting as an interface between the host system and its 
management software and the periphery devices. These periphery devices consist of the PSUs, the 
storage backplane, integrated SAS HBA or PERC 6/I, and control panel with display. 
The optional upgrade to iDRAC6 provides features for managing the server remotely or in data center 
lights-out environments. 
Advanced iDRAC features require the installation of the optional iDRAC6 Enterprise card. 
16.4  Lifecycle Controller and Unified Server Configurator  
Embedded management is comprised of four key components: 
•  Dell Lifecycle Controller 
•  Dell Unified Server Configurator 
•  iDRAC6 (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller) 
•  vFlash (virtual flash media) 
Lifecycle controller powers the embedded management features. It is integrated and tamperproof 
storage for system-management tools and enablement utilities (firmware, drivers, etc.).  
Dell Unified Server Configurator (USC) is a local 1:1 graphical user interface embedded on Lifecycle 
Controller that aids in local server provisioning in a pre-OS environment. For servers with iDRAC 
Express, the Lifecycle Controller offers OS install, platform updates, platform configuration, and 
diagnostics capabilities. For servers without iDRAC6 Express, this utility has limited functionality and 
offers OS install and diagnostics capabilities only.  
To access the Unified Server Configurator, press the <F10> key within 10 seconds of the Dell logo’s 
appearance during the system boot process. Current functionality enabled by the Unified Server 
Configurator is detailed in the following table. 
Table 28.  Unified Server Configurator Features and Description 
Feature  Description 
Faster O/S Installation  Drivers and the installation utility are embedded on 
system, so no need to scour DELL.COM. 
Faster System Updates  Integration with Dell support automatically directed to 
latest versions of the Unified Server Configurator, 
iDRAC, RAID, BIOS, NIC, and Power Supply. 
Update Rollback  Ability to recover to previous known good state for all 
updatable components. 
More Comprehensive Diagnostics  Diagnostic utilities are embedded on system. 
Simplified Hardware Configuration  Detects RAID controller and allows user to configure 
virtual disk and choose virtual disk as boot device, 
eliminating the need to launch a separate utility. Also 
provides configuration for iDRAC, BIOS, and NIC/LOM.