Contents

1 About OpenManage Essentials.............................................................................................. 13

What is New in This Release ..................................................................................................................................13

Other Information You May Need ...........................................................................................................................14

Contacting Dell ....................................................................................................................................................... 14

2 Installing OpenManage Essentials.........................................................................................15

Installation Prerequisites and Minimum Requirements ......................................................................................... 15

Minimum Recommended Hardware ................................................................................................................ 15

Minimum Requirements ................................................................................................................................... 16

Downloading OpenManage Essentials ...................................................................................................................16

Terms and Conditions for Using Relational Database Management Systems .......................................................16

Database Size, Network Bandwidth, and Scalability ............................................................................................. 17

Minimum Login Roles for Microsoft SQL Server .................................................................................................... 17

Installing OpenManage Essentials ......................................................................................................................... 18

Custom Setup Installation ................................................................................................................................ 19

Considerations When Installing OpenManage Essentials on a Domain Controller ............................................... 19

Setting Up OpenManage Essentials Database on a Remote SQL Server .............................................................. 20

Installing Repository Manager ............................................................................................................................... 20

Uninstalling OpenManage Essentials .....................................................................................................................21

Upgrading to OpenManage Essentials Version 1.2

................................................................................................ 21

Setting Up and Configuring VMware ESXi 5 ...........................................................................................................22

Migrating IT Assistant to OpenManage Essentials ................................................................................................ 22

3 Getting Started With OpenManage Essentials.................................................................... 25

Logging On to OpenManage Essentials ..................................................................................................................25

Configuring OpenManage Essentials ..................................................................................................................... 25

Using the OpenManage Essentials Home Portal ....................................................................................................26

OpenManage Essentials Heading Banner ..............................................................................................................27

Customizing Portals ................................................................................................................................................ 27

Displaying Additional Available Reports and Graphs .............................................................................................28

Drilling Down Charts and Reports for More Information ................................................................................. 29

Saving and Loading the Portal Layout .................................................................................................................... 29

Updating the Portal Data ........................................................................................................................................ 29

Hiding Graphs and Reports Components ................................................................................................................29

Rearranging or Resizing Graphs and Reports (Components) .................................................................................30

Filtering Data ...........................................................................................................................................................30

Search Bar ..............................................................................................................................................................30

Search Items .................................................................................................................................................... 31

Search Drop-Down List ....................................................................................................................................31

Selection Actions ............................................................................................................................................. 31

Map View (Home) Portal .........................................................................................................................................32

Viewing the User Information .................................................................................................................................32

Logging On As a Different User .............................................................................................................................. 32

Using the Update Available Notification Icon ........................................................................................................ 33

Using the Warranty Scoreboard Notification Icon .................................................................................................33

4 OpenManage Essentials Home Portal — Reference..........................................................35

Dashboard .............................................................................................................................................................. 35

Home Portal Reports ........................................................................................................................................ 35

Device by Status ...............................................................................................................................................36

Alerts by Severity ............................................................................................................................................. 36

Discovered Versus Inventoried Devices ..........................................................................................................36

Task Status .......................................................................................................................................................37

Schedule View ........................................................................................................................................................37

Schedule View Settings ................................................................................................................................... 38

Device Warranty Report ......................................................................................................................................... 38

Map View (Home) Portal Interface .........................................................................................................................39

5 Discovering and Inventorying Devices..................................................................................41

Supported Devices, Protocols, and Features Matrix ..............................................................................................41

Supported Operating Systems (Servers), Protocols, and Features Matrix ............................................................ 43

Supported Storage Devices, Protocols, and Features Matrix ................................................................................44

Legend and Definitions ........................................................................................................................................... 45

Using the Discovery and Inventory Portal .............................................................................................................. 46

Protocol Support Matrix for Discovery ...................................................................................................................46

Protocol Support Matrix for System Update .......................................................................................................... 48

Configuring a Discovery and Inventory Task ..........................................................................................................48

Changing the Default SNMP Port .....................................................................................................................49

Discovering and Inventorying Dell Devices Using WS-Man Protocol With a Root Certificate ....................... 50

Excluding Ranges ................................................................................................................................................... 51

Viewing Configured Discovery and Inventory Ranges ........................................................................................... 51

Scheduling Discovery .............................................................................................................................................52

Discovery Speed Slider Bar ............................................................................................................................ 52

Multithreading ..................................................................................................................................................52

Scheduling Inventory ..............................................................................................................................................53

Configuring Status Polling Frequency .................................................................................................................... 53

6 Discovery And Inventory — Reference................................................................................ 55

Discovery and Inventory Portal Page Options ........................................................................................................55

Discovery and Inventory Portal .............................................................................................................................. 55

Last Discovery and Inventory ...........................................................................................................................56

Discovered Versus Inventoried Devices ..........................................................................................................56

Task Status .......................................................................................................................................................57

Viewing Device Summary .......................................................................................................................................57

Viewing Device Summary Filter Options ..........................................................................................................57

Add Discovery Range / Add Discovery Range Group .............................................................................................58

Discovery Configuration ......................................................................................................................................... 58

Discovery Configuration Options ......................................................................................................................58

ICMP Configuration ................................................................................................................................................ 60

ICMP Configuration Options .............................................................................................................................60

SNMP Configuration ...............................................................................................................................................60

SNMP Configuration Options ........................................................................................................................... 60

WMI Configuration ................................................................................................................................................. 61

WMI Configuration Options ..............................................................................................................................61

Storage Configuration .............................................................................................................................................61

Storage Configuration Options .........................................................................................................................61

WS-Man Configuration ...........................................................................................................................................62

WS-Man Configuration Options ....................................................................................................................... 62

SSH Configuration ...................................................................................................................................................62

SSH Configuration Options ...............................................................................................................................62

IPMI Configuration ..................................................................................................................................................63

IPMI Configuration Options ..............................................................................................................................63

Discovery Range Action ......................................................................................................................................... 63

Summary .................................................................................................................................................................64

Add Exclude Range .................................................................................................................................................64

Add Exclude Range Options .............................................................................................................................64

Configuration .......................................................................................................................................................... 64

Discovery Schedule ......................................................................................................................................... 65

Inventory Schedule .......................................................................................................................................... 66

Status Schedule ............................................................................................................................................... 67

7 Managing Devices.................................................................................................................... 69

Viewing Devices ..................................................................................................................................................... 69

Device Summary Page ..................................................................................................................................... 69

Nodes and Symbols Description ......................................................................................................................71

Device Details .................................................................................................................................................. 71

Viewing Device Inventory .......................................................................................................................................72

Viewing Alerts Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 72

Viewing System Event Logs ....................................................................................................................................72

Searching for Devices ............................................................................................................................................ 72

Creating a New Group ............................................................................................................................................ 73

Adding Devices to a New Group ............................................................................................................................ 73

Adding Devices to an Existing Group ..................................................................................................................... 74

Hiding a Group ........................................................................................................................................................ 74

Deleting a Group .....................................................................................................................................................74

Single Sign-On ........................................................................................................................................................ 74

Creating a Custom URL ........................................................................................................................................... 75

Launching the Custom URL .............................................................................................................................. 75

Configuring Warranty Email Notifications ..............................................................................................................75

Configuring Warranty Scoreboard Notifications ....................................................................................................76

Using Map View ......................................................................................................................................................76

Map Providers ..................................................................................................................................................78

Configuring Map Settings .................................................................................................................................79

General Navigation and Zooming .....................................................................................................................79

Home View ....................................................................................................................................................... 80

Tool Tip .............................................................................................................................................................80

Selecting a Device on Map View ..................................................................................................................... 80

Health and Connection Status ..........................................................................................................................81

Multiple Devices at the Same Location ........................................................................................................... 81

Setting a Home View ........................................................................................................................................82

Viewing All Map Locations ...............................................................................................................................82

Adding a Device to the Map .............................................................................................................................82

Moving a Device Location Using the Edit Location Details Option ..................................................................83

Importing Licensed Devices .............................................................................................................................83

Using the Map View Search Bar ......................................................................................................................85

Removing All Map Locations ............................................................................................................................86

Editing a Map Location .....................................................................................................................................87

Removing a Map Location ................................................................................................................................87

Exporting All Device Locations ........................................................................................................................ 87

8 Devices — Reference.............................................................................................................. 89

Viewing Inventory ...................................................................................................................................................89

Viewing Alerts .................................................................................................................................................. 90

Viewing Hardware Logs ..........................................................................................................................................90

Hardware Log Details .......................................................................................................................................90

Alert Filters ..............................................................................................................................................................90

Viewing Non-Compliant Systems .......................................................................................................................... 91

Non-Compliant Systems ...................................................................................................................................91

Device Search ........................................................................................................................................................ 92

Query Results ................................................................................................................................................... 92

Creating Device Group ............................................................................................................................................93

Device Group Configuration .............................................................................................................................93

Device Selection .............................................................................................................................................. 93

Summary — Group Configuration ....................................................................................................................94

Map View (Devices) Tab Interface .........................................................................................................................94

Devices at this location ....................................................................................................................................95

Map Settings .................................................................................................................................................... 95

9 Viewing Inventory Reports...................................................................................................... 97

Choosing Predefined Reports .................................................................................................................................97

Predefined Reports .......................................................................................................................................... 97

Filtering Report Data ...............................................................................................................................................98

Exporting Reports ................................................................................................................................................... 99

10 Reports — Reference...........................................................................................................101

Agent and Alert Summary .....................................................................................................................................102

Agent Summary ..............................................................................................................................................102

Alerts per Device ............................................................................................................................................102

Top Alert Generators ......................................................................................................................................102

Server Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 102

Server Components and Versions ........................................................................................................................ 103

Asset Acquisition Information .............................................................................................................................. 103

Asset Maintenance Information ...........................................................................................................................104

Asset Support Information ....................................................................................................................................105

Hard Drive Information ......................................................................................................................................... 106

ESX Information .................................................................................................................................................... 106

HyperV Information ...............................................................................................................................................107

Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) Information .............................................................................................................107

License Information ..............................................................................................................................................107

Memory Information ............................................................................................................................................. 108

Modular Enclosure Information ............................................................................................................................108

NIC Information .....................................................................................................................................................109

PCI Device Information .........................................................................................................................................109

Storage Controllers Information ........................................................................................................................... 109

Warranty Information ........................................................................................................................................... 110

11 Viewing Warranty Reports.................................................................................................. 111

Extending Warranty ..............................................................................................................................................111

12 Managing Alerts....................................................................................................................113

Viewing Alerts and Alert Categories .................................................................................................................... 113

Viewing Alert Logs ......................................................................................................................................... 113

Understanding the Alert Types ...................................................................................................................... 113

Viewing Internal Alerts ...................................................................................................................................114

Viewing Alert Categories ............................................................................................................................... 114

Viewing Alert Source Details ......................................................................................................................... 114

Viewing Previously Configured Alert Actions .......................................................................................................114

Viewing Application Launch Alert Action ...................................................................................................... 114

Viewing E-Mail Alert Action ...........................................................................................................................115

Viewing Alert Ignore Action ...........................................................................................................................115

Viewing Alert Trap Forward Action ................................................................................................................115

Handling Alerts ..................................................................................................................................................... 115

Flagging an Alert ............................................................................................................................................ 115

Creating and Editing a New View ...................................................................................................................115

Configuring Alert Actions ..................................................................................................................................... 116

Setting Up E-mail Notification ........................................................................................................................116

Ignoring Alerts ................................................................................................................................................117

Running a Custom Script ................................................................................................................................117

Forwarding Alerts ...........................................................................................................................................118

Forwarding Alerts Use Case Scenarios ......................................................................................................... 118

Working With Sample Alert Action Use Cases .....................................................................................................119

Use Cases in Alert Actions .............................................................................................................................119

Configuring Alert Log Settings ..............................................................................................................................120

Renaming Alert Categories and Alert Sources .....................................................................................................120

13 Alerts — Reference..............................................................................................................121

Alert Logs ..............................................................................................................................................................121

Predefined Alert View Filters ......................................................................................................................... 122

Alert Logs Fields .............................................................................................................................................122

Alert Details ....................................................................................................................................................123

Alert Log Settings ................................................................................................................................................. 123

Alert View Filters ...................................................................................................................................................123

Alert Filter Name ............................................................................................................................................ 123

Severity .......................................................................................................................................................... 124

Acknowledgement ......................................................................................................................................... 124

Summary — Alert View Filter .........................................................................................................................124

Alert Actions ......................................................................................................................................................... 125

Name and Description ....................................................................................................................................125

Severity Association ...................................................................................................................................... 126

Application Launch Configuration ..................................................................................................................126

E-Mail Configuration ...................................................................................................................................... 127

Trap Forwarding .............................................................................................................................................128

Category and Sources Association ................................................................................................................128

Device Association ........................................................................................................................................ 128

Date and Time Range ..................................................................................................................................... 129

Alert Action - Duplicate Alert Correlation ......................................................................................................130

Summary- Alert Action Details .......................................................................................................................130

Alert Categories ....................................................................................................................................................131

Alert Categories Options ................................................................................................................................ 131

Alert Source ..........................................................................................................................................................133

14 Updating Server BIOS, Firmware, Drivers, and Applications........................................ 135

Viewing the System Update Page ........................................................................................................................ 135

Understanding Server BIOS Firmware and Drivers Sources ............................................................................... 136

Choosing the Right Source for Updates ............................................................................................................... 136

Selecting an Update Catalog Source ................................................................................................................... 136

Viewing Comparison Results ................................................................................................................................ 137

Viewing Compliant Servers ............................................................................................................................ 137

Viewing Non-Compliant Servers ....................................................................................................................137

Viewing Non-Inventoried Servers ..................................................................................................................137

Viewing Servers With Issues and Resolutions .............................................................................................. 137

System Update Use Case Scenarios .................................................................................................................... 137

Applying System Updates .....................................................................................................................................139

Viewing Updated Status .................................................................................................................................140

View Active Catalog ..............................................................................................................................................140

Issues and Resolutions Use Case Scenarios ....................................................................................................... 141

15 System Update — Reference............................................................................................. 143

Filter Options .........................................................................................................................................................143

System Update ......................................................................................................................................................144

Compliance Report .........................................................................................................................................144

Compliant Systems .........................................................................................................................................146

Non-Compliant Systems .................................................................................................................................146

System Update Task .......................................................................................................................................147

Non-Inventoried Systems ...............................................................................................................................147

Inventory Systems ..........................................................................................................................................148

All System Update Tasks ................................................................................................................................148

Issues and Resolutions .................................................................................................................................. 148

Task Execution History ...................................................................................................................................148

Select a Catalog Source ....................................................................................................................................... 149

Dell Update Package ......................................................................................................................................149

Dell OpenManage Server Update Utility ........................................................................................................150

Repository Manager .......................................................................................................................................150

View Active Catalog ..............................................................................................................................................150

16 Managing Remote Tasks..................................................................................................... 151

About Remote Tasks .............................................................................................................................................151

Managing Command Line Task ............................................................................................................................ 151

Managing RACADM Command Line Tasks ....................................................................................................152

Managing Generic Command Line Task ........................................................................................................ 153

Managing Server Power Options ......................................................................................................................... 154

Deploying Server Administrator ........................................................................................................................... 154

Supported Windows and Linux Packages ..................................................................................................... 156

Arguments ......................................................................................................................................................156

Working With Sample Remote Tasks Use Cases ................................................................................................. 157

Use Cases in Remote Tasks ........................................................................................................................... 157

Device Capability Matrix .......................................................................................................................................158

17 Remote Tasks — Reference............................................................................................... 161

Remote Tasks Home ............................................................................................................................................. 161

Remote Tasks .......................................................................................................................................................162

All Tasks ......................................................................................................................................................... 162

Task Execution History ...................................................................................................................................163

Server Power Options .................................................................................................................................... 163

Deploy Server Administrator Task ................................................................................................................. 165

Command Line Task ..............................................................................................................................................166

Remote Server Administrator Command ........................................................................................................167

Generic Command ..........................................................................................................................................169

IPMI Command ...............................................................................................................................................170

RACADM Command Line ................................................................................................................................172

18 Managing Security Settings................................................................................................175

Using Security Roles and Permissions .................................................................................................................175

Microsoft Windows Authentication ......................................................................................................................175

Assigning User Privileges .....................................................................................................................................176

Using Custom SSL Certificates (Optional) ............................................................................................................ 176

Configuring IIS Services .................................................................................................................................176

Supported Protocols and Ports in OpenManage Essentials ................................................................................ 177

Supported Protocols and Ports on Management Stations ............................................................................ 177

Supported Protocols and Ports on Managed Nodes ..................................................................................... 177

19 Troubleshooting.....................................................................................................................179

OpenManage Essentials Troubleshooting Tool ....................................................................................................179

Troubleshooting Procedures ................................................................................................................................ 179

Troubleshooting Inventory ............................................................................................................................. 179

Troubleshooting Device Discovery ................................................................................................................ 180

Troubleshooting Receiving SNMP Traps ......................................................................................................181

Troubleshooting Discovery of Windows Server 2008–Based Servers .......................................................... 181

Troubleshooting SNMP Traps for ESX or ESXi Versions 3.5, 4.x, or 5.0

.........................................................181

Troubleshooting Problems With Microsoft Internet Explorer ........................................................................181

Troubleshooting Map View ............................................................................................................................ 182

20 Frequently Asked Questions................................................................................................185

Installation ........................................................................................................................................................... 185

Upgrade ................................................................................................................................................................ 185

Tasks .....................................................................................................................................................................186

Optional Command Line Settings ................................................................................................................... 186

Customization Parameters ............................................................................................................................. 187

MSI Return Code ............................................................................................................................................ 188

E-mail Alert Action ................................................................................................................................................189

Discovery ..............................................................................................................................................................189

Inventory ...............................................................................................................................................................190

System Update ......................................................................................................................................................190

Device Group Permissions ................................................................................................................................... 191

Device Group Permissions Portal .................................................................................................................. 191

Remote and System Update Tasks .................................................................................................................192

Custom Device Groups ...................................................................................................................................192

Logs .......................................................................................................................................................................193

Log Levels .......................................................................................................................................................193

Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................................................194

21 Managing Device Group Permissions............................................................................... 195

Adding Users to the OmeSiteAdministrators Role ................................................................................................195

Assigning Device Groups to a User ......................................................................................................................196

Removing Users From the OmeSiteAdministrators Role ...................................................................................... 197

22 Preferences — Reference.................................................................................................. 199

Console Settings ...................................................................................................................................................199

Email Settings ....................................................................................................................................................... 200

Alert Settings ........................................................................................................................................................ 201

Custom URL Settings ............................................................................................................................................ 201

Warranty Notification Settings .............................................................................................................................201

Device Group Permissions ................................................................................................................................... 202

Common Tasks ............................................................................................................................................... 202

Manage Device Group Permissions ...............................................................................................................203

Device Groups for Tasks and Patch Targeting .............................................................................................. 203

23 Logs — Reference................................................................................................................ 205

User Interface Logs .............................................................................................................................................. 205

Application Logs ................................................................................................................................................... 206

24 Extensions.............................................................................................................................. 207

25 Right-Click Actions................................................................................................................209

Schedule View ......................................................................................................................................................209

Device Status ........................................................................................................................................................209

Discovery Range Summary ...................................................................................................................................210

Managing Include Ranges ............................................................................................................................. 210

View Filters ........................................................................................................................................................... 210

Alerts .....................................................................................................................................................................211

Remote Tasks ........................................................................................................................................................211

Custom URL ..........................................................................................................................................................211

System Update Tasks ........................................................................................................................................... 211

26 Tutorials.................................................................................................................................. 213

27 Using OpenManage Essentials Command Line Interface..............................................215

Launching the OpenManage Essentials Command Line Interface ...................................................................... 215

Creating a Discovery Profile Input File ................................................................................................................. 215

Specifying IPs, Ranges, or Host names Using XML or CSV Files ......................................................................... 216

Specifying Input Files in PowerShell .................................................................................................................... 217

Command Line Interface Commands ....................................................................................................................217

Creating a Discovery Range ...........................................................................................................................217

Removing a Discovery Range ........................................................................................................................ 218

Creating a Discovery Range Group ................................................................................................................218

Removing a Discovery Range Group ..............................................................................................................218

Editing a Discovery Range ............................................................................................................................. 218

Editing a Discovery Range Group ...................................................................................................................219

Enabling a Discovery Range or Discovery Range Group ...............................................................................219

Disabling a Discovery Range or Discovery Range Group ..............................................................................220

Creating a Discovery Exclude Range .............................................................................................................220

Removing a Discovery Exclude Range ...........................................................................................................220

Running Discovery, Inventory, and Status Polling Tasks ...............................................................................221

Removing a Device .........................................................................................................................................221

Retrieving the Status Execution Progress of a Discovery Range .................................................................. 222

Stopping a Running Discovery Range or Group .............................................................................................222

Creating a Custom Device Group ................................................................................................................... 222

Adding Devices to a Custom Group ............................................................................................................... 223

Deleting a Group .............................................................................................................................................223