Whether you are looking at Dell or HPE blade servers, one important consideration is the type of embedded management license you need. Too often, I’ve heard of blade server users having to go back to a vendor to get a license upgrade because the current version doesn’t do what you need it to. The charts below are designed to help you proactively determine what license is needed prior to making your purchase.
To the best of my knowledge, neither Cisco nor Lenovo use embedded systems management licensing (per server) so only Dell and HPE are listed, however if I’m wrong, please let me know in the comments below.
Dell iDRAC License Options for Blade Servers
| Feature | iDRAC8 Express for Blades | iDRAC8 Enterprise |
| Local Configuration via BIOS | X | X |
| IPMI 2.0 | X | X |
| Data Center Managebility Interface (DCMI) 1.5 | X | X |
| Embedded Diagnostics | X | X |
| Local OS Install | X | X |
| Local Updates | X | X |
| Driver Pack | X | X |
| Encryption | X | X |
| IPv6 Support | X | X |
| Auto-Discovery | X | X |
| Auto-Recovery | X | X |
| Web GUI | X | X |
| Remote CLI | X | X |
| local/SSH CLI | X | X |
| Serial Redirection | X | X |
| Remote Config | X | X |
| Remote Update | X | X |
| USB Front Panel Configuration | X | X |
| iDRAC Service Module (iSM) | X | X |
| Scheduled Firmware Updates | X | |
| Automatic Updates | X | |
| Email Alerts | X | X |
| SNMP Alerts | X | X |
| Comprehensive Monitoring | X | X |
| Performance Monitoring | X | |
| Part Replacement | X | X |
| Tech Support Report | X | X |
| Backup & Restore configurations | X | |
| System Wipe | X | X |
| Virtual Console (4 user) | Single user | 6 users |
| Virtual Console Chat | X | |
| Virtual Flash Partitions | X | |
| Virtual Media | X | X |
| Virtual Folders | X | |
| Access via VNC server | X | |
| Remote File Share | X | |
| Crash Screen Capture | X | X |
| Crash Video Playback | X | |
| Boot Record/Playback | X | |
| Power Control | X | X |
| Power Monitoring | X | X |
| Power Capping | X | |
| Enterprise Group Power Management | X | |
| Directory Services (AD, LDAP) | X | |
| PK Authentication | X | X |
| Two-Factor Authentication | X |
Additional links for more information:
- Dell Lifecycle Controller Remote Services v2.30.30.30 Quick Start Guide
- iDRAC 8 v2.30.30.30 User’s Guide
- iDRAC White Papers (@Dell TechCenter)
HPE iLO License Options for Blade Servers
Kevin Houston is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of BladesMadeSimple.com. He has over 20 years of experience in the x86 server marketplace. Since 1997 Kevin has worked at several resellers in the Atlanta area, and has a vast array of competitive x86 server knowledge and certifications as well as an in-depth understanding of VMware and Citrix virtualization. Kevin has worked at Dell as a Server Sales Engineer covering the Global Enterprise market since August 2011.
Disclaimer: The views presented in this blog are personal views and may or may not reflect any of the contributors’ employer’s positions. Furthermore, the content is not reviewed, approved or published by any employer.