Completing the server setup by using an HMC

Perform these tasks to complete the server setup by using a Hardware Management Console (HMC). You can also begin to use virtualization to consolidate multiple workloads onto fewer systems to increase server use, and to reduce cost.

1. Change the managed system passwords by completing the following steps:
   For more information about setting passwords for the managed system by using the HMC, see Setting passwords for the managed system .
2. Update the time of day on the managed system by using the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI).
   To access ASMI by using the HMC, complete the following steps:

   1. In the contents area, select the managed system.
   2. Select Actions > View All Actions > Launch Advanced System Management (ASM).
   3. Log on to the ASMI by using the administrator user ID and password.
   4. Select System Config > Time of Day.
   5. Adjust the time of day.
   6. Select Save Settings.
3. Control speculative execution by using the ASMI to address the "Spectre" and "Meltdown" vulnerabilities.
   To control speculative execution by using the ASMI to address the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities, complete the following steps:

   1. In the ASMI interface, select System Configuration > Speculative Execution Control.
   2. Choose the control option that you want to use. For more information about Speculative Execution Control, see Protecting your POWER9 servers against the “Spectre” and “Meltdown” vulnerabilities
4. Check the firmware level on the managed system.
   1. In the navigation area, click Updates.
   2. In the contents area, select the managed system.
   3. Select Actions > Updates > Change Licensed Internal Code > for the Current Release.
   4. Select View system information and then click OK.
   5. In the Specify LIC Repository window, select None - Display current values and then click OK.
   6. Record the level that appears in the EC Number field and the Activated Level field. For example, if the EC Number is 01EM310 and the Activated Level is 77, the firmware level is 01EM310_77.
5. Compare your installed firmware level with available firmware levels. If necessary, update your firmware levels.
   1. Compare your installed firmware level with available firmware levels. For more information, see the Fix Central website (http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral) .
   2. If necessary, update your managed system firmware levels. In the navigation area, select Updates.
   3. In the contents area, select your managed system.
   4. Click Change Licensed Internal Code for the current release.
6. To power on a managed system, complete the following steps:
   1. In the contents area, select the managed system.
   2. Select Actions > View All Actions > Power Management.
   3. Select the power on options that you want to use and click OK.
7. If your system was preinstalled with an operating system, you must exit MDC (manufacturing default configuration) mode so that you can open a console and access your operating system.
   To exit MDC mode, complete the following steps:

   1. Select Resources > All Systems.
   2. Select System > Actions > View System Partitions.
   3. Under Properties, select General Settings .
   4. Select Power On Parameters and set the Partition Start Policy to User-Initiated.
   5. Under System Actions, select Operations > Power On.
   6. Once the system is in the partition standby state and the default partition is in the Not Activated state, select the default partition and choose Activate.

   For more information about starting a system or logical partition by using the HMC, see Starting a system or logical partition by using the HMC.
8. Create partitions using templates.
   • If you are creating new partitions, you can use the templates that are on your HMC. For more information, see Accessing the template library .
   • If you have existing partitions on another system, you can capture those configurations, save it to the template library and deploy the partition template. For more information, see Partition templates .
   • If you want to use an existing template from another source, you can import that and use it. For more information, see Importing a partition template .
9. Install an operating system and update the operating system.

   • Install the AIX® operating system. For instructions, see Installing AIX .

   • Install the Linux® operating system. For instructions, see Installing Linux .

   • Install the VIOS operating system. For instructions, see Installing VIOS .

   • Install the IBM® i operating system. For instructions, see Installing the IBM i operating system .

10. You have now completed the steps to install your server.