Dell Remote Access Controller - DRAC / iDRAC
Quick Links:
| What is iDRAC? | iDRAC6 Home |
| iDRAC7 What's New | DRAC5 Home |
| iDRAC7 Manuals | iDRAC7 White Papers Home |
| iDRAC7 Useful links | Lifecycle Controller 2 Home |
| iDRAC7 Licensing |
What is iDRAC?
The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller with Lifecycle Controller (iDRAC6 with Lifecycle Controller 1 or iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller 2.02) is an embedded device in all Dell PowerEdge™ servers that helps IT administrators manage, monitor, update, and deploy to Dell servers.
With powerful, remote management and configuration options, the iDRAC enables streamlined remote server management (both local and remote), and reduces or eliminates the need for administrators to physically access the server — even when the server is not operational. iDRAC enables anywhere, anytime remote management, monitoring, troubleshooting, remediation and server upgrades, independent of the OS status. iDRAC can also alert administrators to various server operational conditions or problems. In other words, no operating system is required to perform system management tasks and in many cases, the server does not even need to be powered on. With the launch of the Dell PowerEdge 12th generation servers on Feb 27th, 2012, Dell has enhanced our embedded management without the need to install a software based agent within the host operating system.
iDRAC 7 What's New
| iDRAC7 Manuals (home) | |
|---|---|
| User Guide | iDRAC7 Manuals [1.0.0, 1.10.10, 1.20.20, 1.30.30] |
| RACADM | RACADM Command Line Reference Guide (same links as above) |
| iDRAC7 Useful Links | |
|---|---|
| OpenManage System Management SW Compatibility Matrix | 12/18/2012 |
| CMC Manuals (including 4.2 User's Guide) | 12/18/2012 |
| Online License Management Portal | 12/18/2012 |
12th Generation Licensing Summary
At a high level, the features and offerings for iDRAC are similar between iDRAC6 and iDRAC7. Dell provides three main offerings: Basic Management, Express, and Enterprise. As in Dell’s 11th generation servers, Basic Management (called BMC in 11th generation) is the default for servers 200-500 series. For 600 series and above, iDRAC Express is the default offering that is part of the base configuration. It does not require a license to be installed, backed up, or managed. Express offers embedded tools, console integration, and simplified remote access.
However, most IT administrators want a deeper, more inclusive solution that allows them to manage servers as if they were physically near the server, and this is available by upgrading to the Enterprise license level, which is fully digital.
Because all 600-series servers ship with iDRAC7 Express enabled, customers can take advantage of the features and benefits provided by iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller 2.0 technology. Customers with 200-500 series can also upgrade their systems to either Express or Enterprise by simply installing a license key. A physical part is required on 200-500 series to enable dedicated NIC and vFlash. Dell offers an online portal to keep track all of your iDRAC licenses; for example, which servers have Express, Enterprise, or even Trial licenses. In the unlikely event of motherboard failure, Dell also stores a copy of the key and makes it available to you in an online License Management portal (www.dell.com/support/retail/lkm).