Introduction to the Hardware Management Console

This section briefly describes some of the concepts and functions of the Hardware Management Console (HMC) and introduces the user interface that is used for accessing those functions.

The HMC is a system that controls managed systems, logical partitions, Capacity on Demand (CoD), and updates. To provide flexibility and availability, you can implement HMCs as a local HMC or a redundant HMC.

Local HMC

A local HMC is an HMC that is physically located close to the system it manages and is connected by either a private or public network. An HMC in a private network is a DHCP server for the service processors of the systems it manages. An HMC may also manage a system over an open network, where the managed system’s service processor IP address has been assigned manually using the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI).

Remote HMC

A remote HMC is an HMC that is not physically located near its managed systems. This could be in another part of the same room or data center, in another building, or even on another site. Typically, a remote HMC would be attached to its managed servers via a public network, but configurations with a remote HMC attached to a private network are also possible. Prior to HMC version 7, at least one local HMC was required. With Version 7, any or all HMCs may be remote.

Redundant HMC

A redundant HMC manages a system that is already managed by another HMC. When two HMCs manage one system, they are peers, and each can be used to control the managed system. One HMC can manage multiple managed systems, and each managed system can have two HMCs. If both HMCs are connected to the server using private networks, each HMC must be a DHCP server set up to provide IP addresses on two unique, nonroutable IP ranges.

The HMC allows you to configure and manage servers. One HMC can manage multiple servers, and dual HMCs can provide redundant support by managing the same system. To help ensure consistent function, each HMC is shipped preinstalled with the Hardware Management Console Licensed Machine Code Version 7.