Dell Server Management - What software?

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Hi,

We have only Dell hardware here, but none of the machines have any Dell management software installed and I'm a bit lost with the vast array of tools available to me. I'd really appricate some help picking some management software and don't want to spend ages installing all the ones listed below then uninstalling when they don't dop what I need. The options seem to be:
  • OpenManage Management Station
  • Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager
  • Dell Systems Console and Agent
  • Installation and Server Management
  • Dell Systems Service and Diagnostics Tools
  • Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation
This has only come about as we need to find out how hot they are running in this weather, I assume there is some Dell software to do this? Ideally I'd like to manage all servers from one place (possibly my PC, Vista x64). All servers are 2003 with one small business server 2003, but soon to be moving to 2008.

What do I need to install?
 
Thanks Walnuts, got it installed this morning after updating several drivers, these machines haven't really been looked after but thankfully the temps are ok :)

Next on the list is to get monitoring the other servers, whats the best way to monitor them all from one place? Microsoft system centre operations manager, or is that overkill?

Cheers
 
I use Dell IT Assistant to monitor all my Dell servers. It's free software and can monitor all your Dell servers from one console but you'll need to have Dell OpenManage Server Administrator installed on all your Dell servers.

Dell IT Assistant only lets you monitor hardware information (temps, raid, fans etc). Microsoft software will probably let you monitor Operating System (event viewer, disc space etc)
 
Cheers for the info, its actually opened a can of worms really on just how badly setup and managed things were (or weren't!). I did have a quick look at Microsoft systems manger essential edition and as you say looks like it does a lot. The Dell one sounds just the ticket :)
 
I'll second Openmanage for the Dell server platform.

Simply install the SNMP service on the IT Assistant machine and server and configure. On the managed nodes (monitored servers) install Openmanage server administrator. I not only find it useful for pro-active monitoring of the hardware platform, but also for asset details like when warranties are up for renewal - this has previously been a very time comsuming task.

The more information you put into Openmanage server adminstrator (OMSA for short) the bette reporting you can get out, this really is a key benefit.

For application/service monitoring, systems availability and alerting I use Solarwinds IPMonitor after benchmarking against SCOM2007 an Alteris etc. It's not the market leader nor the most comprehensive solution but for my needs it's perfect. I'd suggest you trial out numerous solutions, make a matrix of features and eval what products fulfill this list. You'd be surprised what's out there at a much lower price point than SCOM.
Better to purchase something and use upwards of 50% of it's capabilities, rather than spend lots on a product and use >10%.

Just my take of course :)
 
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