Remote Access Controllers (iDRAC)

Dell PowerEdge R520 Remote Access Controllers (iDRAC)

The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller with Lifecycle Controller 2 (iDRAC7) is an embedded device in all Dell PowerEdge servers that helps IT administrators manage, monitor, update, and deploy Dell servers.

The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is designed to make server administrators more productive and improve the overall availability of Dell servers. iDRAC alerts administrators to server issues, helps them perform remote server management, and reduces the need for physical access to the server.

iDRAC7 with Lifecycle controller technology is part of a larger datacenter solution that helps keep business critical applications and workloads available at all times. The technology allows administrators to deploy, monitor, manage, configure, update, troubleshoot and remediate Dell servers from any location, and without the use of agents. It accomplishes this regardless of operating system or hypervisor presence or state.

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.

Since 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.