1. Dell PowerEdge Change Management Tools Frequently asked questions
Updates July 2011

2. Initial Deployment Tool Function Availability
Unified Server Configurator – USC
Firmware and BIOS Update
hardware and RAID configuration
native deployment of supported Microsoft® Windows® and Linux® operating systems
Embedded on all
11G Systems
Server Build Update Utility – SBUU
hardware and RAID configuration (scriptable and GUI)
DVD included in all Dell PowerEdge
Downloadable from support.dell.com
USC provides Initial deployment for 11 & 12G systems. If you are using an 11 or 12G system you should consider using USC instead of SBUU. With USC all the necessary files are embedded on the system, thus no need to insert a disk.
SBUU: Historically the way that Initial Deployment has been done for Dell servers. If you are deploying a system that is 10G or prior then you must use SBUU. If you are deploying an 11 or 12G system you can use SBUU. SBUU is available for 11 & 12G systems as a convenience to customers. SBUU disk is shipped with each server.

3. Continuing Maintenance -- Windows
Tool
Function
Availability
Dell Update Package – DUP
Individual package – Windows Server 2003/2008
Support.Dell.com
Server Update Utility -- SUU
Groups of DUPs by System Type
OpenManage DVD subscription (SKU )
Download from support.dell.com
Custom SUU available via Repository Manager
PowerEdge Driver Maintenance Pack --(PEDMP)
Groups of updates by Operating system – Windows Server 2003/2008
FTP.Dell.com
Downloadable via Repository Manager
Repository Manager
(for more info see Productivity Tool Slide)
Create custom SUU, Bootable disk, Scripted File or Raw Driver Packs
support.dell.com
DUPs are individual packages. Each DUP contains everything to run the update that is provided. So it has an executable that will run the DUP. Within the DUP is an inventory collector that checks to see what on your system corresponds to the payload inside the DUP. When it finds the desired device it will execute.
SUU was created to give customers a means to install multiple DUPs in a single session. SUU will do an inventory of your system, then comeback and tell you what it has found, what the firmware version is and compare it against the set of DUPs that it has available and show you which ones are different. You can then select which ones to install.
Repository Manager is a productivity tool. The size of the catalog on the SUU is very large, and contains every DUP for every 8G,9G,10G & 11G server. RM was created to make it easier to get a set of drivers that is only relevant to the systems you have (or a subset of drivers for those systems). With Repository Manager you use the Catalog at ftp.dell.com to select the systems you have. It then will allow you to save that Catalog to your system and then you can create either a custom SUU or a Bootable iso. Note that the bootable iso will use the Linux DUPs because the operating system that is used is Linux.

4. Continuing Maintenance - RedHat/SuSE Linux
Tool
Function
Availability
Dell Update Package – DUP
Individual package – 32bit Linux (See FAQ for how to use DUP with 64bit Linux)
Support.Dell.com
Server Update Utility
Groups of DUPs by System Type
OpenManage DVD subscription (SKU )
Download from support.dell.com
Custom SUU available via Repository Manager
YellowDog Update Modified (YUM) Repository
Package of RPM package 32/64bit
linux.dell.com/repo/hardware
Repository Manager
(for more info see Productivity Tool Slide)
Create custom SUU, Scripted File or Bootable disk (note Raw Driver Packs are Windows only)
support.dell.com
DUPs are individual packages. Each DUP contains everything to run the update that is provided. So it has an executable that will run the DUP. Within the DUP is an inventory collector that checks to see what on your system corresponds to the payload inside the DUP. When it finds the desired device it will execute.
SUU was created to give customers a means to install multiple DUPs in a single session. SUU will do an inventory of your system, then comeback and tell you what it has found, what the firmware version is and compare it against the set of DUPs that it has available and show you which ones are different. You can then select which ones to install.
YUM is a collection of updates for Linux that uses the Redhat Packet Manager files instead of DUPs. RPM is the preferred method of experienced Linux users to update their systems. YUM is similar in concept to SUU. It is a highly specialized tool for the Linux environments.
When would I use SUU/DUP vs YUM. If you are an experienced Linux user you should use YUM. If you are not an experienced Linux user then the SUU/DUP products provide an easy to use product.
Repository Manager is a productivity tool. The size of the catalog on the SUU is very large, and contains every DUP for every 8G,9G,10G & 11G server. RM was created to make it easier to get a set of drivers that is only relevant to the systems you have (or a subset of drivers for those systems). With Repository Manager you use the Catalog at ftp.dell.com to select the systems you have. It then will allow you to save that Catalog to your system and then you can create either a custom SUU or a Bootable iso. Note that the bootable iso will use the Linux DUPs because the operating system that is used is Linux.

5. Continuing Maintenance – Other Operating System
Tool
Function
Availability
Repository Manager (for more info see Productivity Tool Slide)
Create custom Bootable disk with the updates loaded on it.
Support.dell.com
Repository Manager is a productivity tool. It is particularly useful for customers who are not using Windows/RedHAT or SuSE Operating systems. For customers in environments like these they can create a Bootable ISO that they can use to deploy updates.
Creating a Bootable ISO is easy. Open Repository Manager, select the servers you want to work with (2950, R710 etc…) save the bundles associated with those server and create a Bootable ISO image. You can then use that image to reboot your system and deploy the updates.
Note that the bootable iso will use the Linux DUPs because the operating system that is used is Linux.

6. Productivity Tool: Repository Manager
Dell OpenManage Repository Manager (RM) is a productivity tool that assists in creating, managing and deploying update packages.
RM allows you to create a custom repository of the specific updates that you want to deploy.
Greatly reducing the size of the files downloaded and providing the means to select only the files to update.
With RM v1.4 RM will be able to discover systems on your network and build a repository for your customers.
RM allows you to create deployment tools using your custom repository.
Customers often have systems that have different levels of maintenance requirements.
For instance customers who are utilizing the vCenter Plug-in will be able to create a repository of updates that can be used by the plug in. However not all servers will be virtualized so they can take the same repository and create a custom SUU for use with the systems not using Vmware. Thus, keeping all systems current with the same update packages.
RM facilitates the deployment of customer scripted updates
For Customers who have built their own deployment tools, RM provides the capability to attach a script to the custom repository that they have created. (Dell provides a basic script, that can be modified)
RM can compare between two repositories and show you the differences at both the bundle and component level.
As new updates are made available by Dell, customers will be able to quickly see what is new and build the deployment tools that are right for them to keep their systems maintained.
Repository Manager is not so much a single tool, but a launch pad for several tools. Repository Manager first and foremost lets you customize the tools that you need to effectively maintain the systems in your data center. It gives you the flexibility to create a repository that has just the systems that are of interest to you.
Repository Manager then takes this capability a step further by allowing you to create the tools that you need. To make it easier you can create several different tools using the same Repository that you have created.
Repository Manager is a constantly growing product, so once you have created your custom repository you can add (or subtract) from it with ease. Through RM you can compare the repository you have created against the latest from Dell and decide which bundles or components to add to your existing repository.
Custom Repository for client is currently limited to creation of catalog of updates, but cannot yet do the other functions listed on slide for Server.

7. Frequently asked questions
What is a DUP?
DUP stands for Dell Update Package. It is a Dell developed update standard that can install an update on a Dell system. The DUP has the file to be downloaded, an inventory evaluator that looks for prerequisites and an install component.
What is an SUU?
SUU stands for Server Update Utility. It is a collection of DUPs organized by PowerEdge System type.
What is the difference between DUP and SUU?
A DUP is a single update and is available for download at support.dell.com. SUU is a bundle of DUPs so if you need to update more then one DUP at a time it provides the means of doing so.
What is PEDMP?
PEDMP stands for PowerEdge Driver Maintenance Pack. PEDMP is a collection of updates organized by Operating System type rather then by System type like in the SUU.
What is the difference between PEDMP & SUU?
PEDMP has updates organized by Windows Server operating system. SUU is is updates organized by system type. The one you choose is based upon your preference for managing updates.
What security features does Dell provide
All Dell provided updates are signed for your security.

8. Frequently asked questions
When should I use SUU versus PE Driver Maintenance Packs
Both provide the same content
SUU is organized by Server Type. So if you are updating a number of servers of a specific type that have different OS versions on them then SUU is a good choice.
PE Driver Maintenance packs are organized by Operating System. Thus if you have all your servers on a specific version of Windows Server OS then PEDMP is a good choice.
How can I get SUU?
SUU is available for Download from support.dell.com and is also available via a subscription service that will ship you a DVD once a quarter. SUU is over 7GB of data, so if you want to download a smaller package you can use Repository Manager to create a custom SUU of just the systems and updates you want.
What is YUM?
YUM stands for YellowDog Update Modified. It is an OpenSource Linux based tool for deploying updates. YUM gets its updates from a YUM Repository, which is available from linux.dell.com/repo/hardware.
What is a YUM Repository?
A YUM Repository is a catalog of updates in RPM format. RPM is the format that is commonly used by RedHat and SuSE Linux Operating Systems.
When should I use YUM versus SUU for Linux?
YUM is tailored towards the Linux power user, and has both 32bit and 64bit Linux updates available in RPM format.
If you are used to using SUU to maintain your Windows server systems then SUU provides a similar experience for maintain your Linux server systems. SUU has 32bit Linux DUPs, however if you load the 32bit Linux libraries on your system that is running a 64bit Linux OS, then you can still use the 32bit Linux DUPs available as part of SUU.
Is there a performance difference between 32bit and 64bit DUPs?
No. The only thing that a DUP does is update the BIOS/Firmware/Device Driver of a system. Once the update is installed on the system it functions as efficiently.
If there is no difference why have 64bit updates?
It is for convenience. With Native 64bit updates you do not need to install the 32bit libraries.

9. Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPLD?
Complex Programmable Logic Device
CPLD is essentially the low level glue logic on the planar.
One of the primary functions it provides is to properly sequence the voltage (i.e. bring the right voltage rail up at the correct time).
The CPLD also provides a convenient HW to SW collection point for various other low level HW bits (i.e. what planar type BIOS/iDrac is running on or how a particular GPIO is set, etc.).
Why would I update CPLD?
CPLD would be updated if a more efficient means of managing the devices controlled by the CPLD is develop.
Will I need to take my system off line to update CPLD?
It depends on what the CPLD is managing.
Will I have to take my system down to do a Power Supply firmware update?
For the Power Supply DUP to function, it will require that there be redundant power supplies. Additionally the power from a single power supply will be sufficient to keep the system running.
How will the Power Supply DUP work?
Once the DUP has determined that it is safe to run the system on one power supply, it will pause one power supply and implement the update, bring that power supply back on line and then pause the second power supply and apply the update and bring it back on line.
Where can I get more information on Repository Manager?   
9/20/2018