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Explanation of Pre-Boot Authentication Commands for Dell Security Server

Summary: This article explains the Pre-Boot Authentication commands available from the Remote Management Console and how to locate them.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms

Affected Products:

  • Dell Security Management Server
  • Dell Data Protection | Enterprise Edition
  • Dell Security Management Server Virtual
  • Dell Data Protection | Virtual Edition

Cause

Not Applicable

Resolution

Pre-Boot Authentication (PBA) commands are at the bottom of Endpoints > Details & Actions tab.

Details & Actions tab
Figure 1: (English Only) Details & Actions tab

Each command for the Pre-Boot Authentication has a priority ranking. A command with a higher priority rank cancels commands of lower priorities in the enforcement queue, with 1 being the "highest" priority.

Priority rankings:

  1. Wipe
  2. Lock
  3. Remove Users
  4. Unlock
  5. Bypass Login

Wipe - The Wipe command functions as a "restore to factory state" for the drive, by performing a cryptographic erase. The Wipe command can be used in an emergency situation making the data permanently unrecoverable. When the client consumes the wipe command, all history and details about this endpoint are removed from the Security Management Server or Security Management Server Virtual.

Lock - Device locks the PBA screen and prevents any user from accessing the data on the endpoint.

Remove Users - Removes all cached users from the PBA. This in-effect reverts any locked users on a device.

Unlock - Unlocks the PBA screen after it has been device-locked on the endpoint.

Bypass Login - Bypasses the PBA screen one time to allow access to the endpoint without authentication.

Note: Endpoint will receive the PBA command next time the endpoint boots to PBA and establishes a connection to the Security Management Server.

To contact support, reference Dell Data Security International Support Phone Numbers.
Go to TechDirect to generate a technical support request online.
For additional insights and resources, join the Dell Security Community Forum.

 

Affected Products

Dell Encryption
Article Properties
Article Number: 000124940
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 03 Aug 2023
Version:  9
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