Dell Teams With Microsoft On Server Management

Dell unveiled three server-management tools that mesh with Microsoft's own management software, including the just-released Systems Management Server 2003, the Round Rock, Texas-based PC maker announced in mid-November.

Designed to work with the Dell's servers, the tools will help reduce the number of processes and products users need to manage their Windows-based servers, claimed Dell.

The new tools, part of Dell's OpenManage software family, mesh with other products from Microsoft, including the just-released Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 and Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM), letting administrators update a server's BIOS and apply security patches to Microsoft applications and operating systems from a single screen.

Included in the trio are the Dell Management Pack for MOM, which monitors the status of PowerEdge servers and forwards alerts to administrators; Dell Update Packages with SMS, which automates patching through SMS; and Dell Deployment Toolkit, which assists in deploying servers using Microsoft Automated Deployment Services.

The first two are available now, while the Deployment Toolkit will roll before the end of 2003, Dell said.