Dell has published a whitepaper on Motherboard Replacement using the iDRAC7. Here is a quick overview of what you can look forward to in the paper:
This feature makes an IT admin's life easier in the event that the motherboard on a Dell server has to be replaced.
Trying to manually write down all system settings and configuration is tedious, time consuming, and error prone. Using Dell's export (backup) and import (restore) features makes returning a system to its original state automatic.
The procedure to accomplish this task are as follows:
- Create a backup image of a system in case of motherboard replacement later on
- Replace broken motherboard with new one
- Restore desired image onto new motherboard using either of following options:
- Using the Lifecycle Controller Platform Restore option (via F10 on POST)
- Using the WSMAN-based Import method (Remote Enablement)
What is restored?
- Service Tag (Motherboard replacement only)
- Component firmware
- Component configuration data
- Component usernames, passwords, certificates, and licenses
- USC
As you may discover later, this method is an API but it can be easily scripted using tools already available in the OS such as winrm or client libraries such as from the opensource OpenWsman project.
See the full article in this whitepaper:
Motherboard Replacement on PowerEdge Servers
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller Technical Learning Series.
Clik here to view.
