Upgrading your HMC software

Learn how to upgrade the software on an HMC from one release to the next while you maintain your HMC configuration data.

About this task

To upgrade the machine code on an HMC, complete all steps.
Note: For HMC models 7063-CR1 and 7063-CR2, you can connect an external USB DVD drive.

Step 1. Obtain the upgrade

About this task

You can order the HMC machine code upgrade through the Fix Central website.

To obtain the upgrade through the Fix Central website, complete the following steps:

Procedure

  1. From a computer or server with an internet connection, go to the Hardware Management Console website at http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/.
  2. Click Continue.
    The Hardware Management Console site is displayed.
  3. Navigate to the HMC version you want to upgrade to.
  4. Locate the download and ordering section.
    Note: If you do not have access to the internet, contact IBM® service and support to order the upgrade on DVD.
  5. Follow the on-screen prompts to submit your order.
  6. After you have the upgrade, continue with Step 2. View the existing HMC machine code level.

Step 2. View the existing HMC machine code level

About this task

To determine the existing level of machine code on an HMC, follow these steps:

Procedure

  1. In the navigation area, click the HMC Management icon HMC Management icon, and then select Console Management. In the navigation area, click Updates.
  2. In the content pane, click Update the Hardware Management Console.
  3. In the new window, view and record the information that appears under the Current HMC Driver information heading, including the HMC version, release, maintenance level, build level, and base versions.
  4. Continue with Step 3. Back up the managed system's profile data.

Step 3. Back up the managed system's profile data

About this task

To back up the managed system's profile data, complete the following steps:

Procedure

  1. Select the system that you want to save the profile data.
  2. Click Actions > View All Actions > Legacy > Manage Partition Data > Backup.
  3. Type a backup file name and record this information.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Repeat these steps for each system.
  6. Continue with Step 4. Back up HMC data.

Step 4. Back up HMC data

About this task

Back up HMC data before you install a new version of HMC software so that previous levels can be restored in the event of a problem while you upgrade the software. Do not use this critical console data after a successful upgrade to a new version of the HMC software.
Note: To back up to removable media, you need to have that media available.

To back up HMC data, complete the following steps:

Procedure

  1. If you plan to back up to media, perform the following steps to format the media:
    1. Insert the media into the drive.
    2. In the navigation area, click the Serviceability icon Serviceability icon, and then select Service Management.
    3. In the content pane, click Format Media.
    4. Select the media type.
    5. Select the format type.
    6. Click OK.
  2. In the navigation area, click the HMC Management icon HMC Management icon, and then select Console Management.
  3. In the content pane, click Backup Management Console Data.
    The Backup Management Console Data window opens.
  4. Select an archive option.
    You can back up to media on a local system, a remote system that is mounted to the HMC file system (for example, NFS), or send the backup to a remote site by using File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
    • To back up to a local system, choose Back up to media on local system and follow the instructions.
    • To back up to a mounted remote system, choose Back up to mounted remote system and follow the instructions.
    • To back up to a remote FTP site, choose Send back up critical data to remote site and follow the instructions.
  5. Continue with Step 5. Record the current HMC configuration information.

Step 5. Record the current HMC configuration information

About this task

Before you upgrade to a new version of HMC software, as a precautionary measure, record HMC configuration information.

To record the current HMC configuration, complete the following steps:

Procedure

  1. Select a managed system or any partitions that you want to record HMC configuration information.
  2. From the menu pod, select Actions > Schedule Operations.
    All scheduled operations for the target that you selected are displayed.
  3. Select Sort > By Object.
  4. Select each object and record the following details:
    • Object Name
    • Schedule date
    • Operation Time (displayed in 24-hour format)
    • Repetitive (if Yes, complete the following steps):
      1. Select View > Schedule Details.
      2. Record the interval information.
      3. Close the scheduled operations window.
      4. Repeat for each scheduled operation.
  5. Close the Customize Scheduled Operations window.
  6. Continue with Step 6. Record remote command status.

Step 6. Record remote command status

About this task

To record remote command status, complete the following steps:

Procedure

  1. In the navigation area, click the Users and Security icon Users and Security icon, and then select Systems and Console Security.
  2. In the content pane, click Enable Remote Command Execution.
  3. Record whether the Enable remote command execution using the ssh facility check box is selected.
  4. Click Cancel.
  5. Continue with Step 7. Save upgrade data.

Step 7. Save upgrade data

About this task

You can save the current HMC configuration in a designated disk partition on the HMC or to local media. Save upgrade data only immediately before you upgrade your HMC software to a new release. You can restore the HMC configuration settings after you upgrade.
Note: Only one level of backup data is allowed. Each time that you save upgrade data, the previous level is overwritten.

To save upgrade data, complete the following steps:

Procedure

  1. In the navigation area, click the HMC Management icon HMC Management icon, and then select Console Management.
  2. In the content pane, click Save Upgrade Data. The Save Upgrade Data wizard opens.
  3. Select the media on which you want to save the upgrade data. If you choose to save to removable media, insert the media now. Click Next.
  4. Click Finish.
  5. Wait for the task to complete.
    If the Save Upgrade Data task fails, contact your next level of support before proceeding.
    Note: If the save upgrade data task fails, do not continue the upgrade process.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Continue with Step 8. Upgrade the HMC software.

Step 8. Upgrade the HMC software

About this task

To upgrade the HMC software, restart the system with the removable media in the DVD drive.

Procedure

  1. Insert the HMC Product Installation media into the DVD drive.
  2. In the navigation area, click the HMC Management icon HMC Management icon, and then select Console Management.
  3. In the content pane, select Shutdown or Restart the Managment Console.
  4. Ensure Restart the HMC is selected.
  5. Click OK.
    The HMC restarts and system information scrolls on the window.
  6. Select Upgrade and click Next.
  7. Choose from the following options:
    • If you saved the upgrade data during the previous task, continue with the next step.
    • If you did not save the upgrade data previously in this procedure, you must save the upgrade data now before you continue.
  8. Select Upgrade from media and click Next.
  9. Confirm the settings and click Finish.
  10. Follow the prompts.
    Note:
    • If the screen goes blank, press the space bar to view the information.
    • The first DVD can take approximately 20 minutes to install.
  11. At the login prompt, log in using your user ID and password.
    The HMC code installation is complete.
  12. Continue with Step 9. Verify that the HMC machine code upgrade installed successfully.

Step 9. Verify that the HMC machine code upgrade installed successfully

About this task

To verify that the HMC upgrade is installed successfully, complete the following steps:

Procedure

  1. In the navigation area, click the HMC Management icon HMC Management icon, and then select Console Management.
  2. In the content pane, click Update the Hardware Management Console.
  3. In the new window, view and record the information that appears under the Current HMC Driver information heading, including the HMC version, release, maintenance level, build level, and base versions.
  4. Verify that the version and release match the update that you installed.
  5. If the level of code that is displayed is not the level that you installed, retry the upgrade task by using a new DVD. If the problem persists, contact your next level of support.