Preparing for HMC configuration

Learn about the required configuration settings that you need to know before you begin the configuration steps.

To configure the HMC, you must understand the related concepts, make decisions, and prepare information.

Learn about the information that you need to connect your HMC to the following locations:
  • Service processors in your managed systems
  • Logical partitions on those managed systems
  • Remote workstations
  • IBM® Service to implement “call-home” functions
To prepare for HMC configuration, complete the following steps:
  1. Obtain and install the latest level of the HMC code version you want to install.
  2. Determine the physical location of the HMC in relation to the servers it manages. If the HMC is more than 25 feet from its managed system, you must provide web browser access to the HMC from the managed system's location so that service personnel can access the HMC.
  3. Identify the servers that the HMC manages.
  4. Determine whether you use a private or an open network to manage servers. If you decide to use a private network, use DHCP, unless you are using a Cluster Systems Management (CSM) configuration. CSM does not support IPv6. To access CSM, you must have two networks. For more information about CSM, see the documentation that was provided with that feature. For more information about private and open networks, see Selecting a private or open network.
  5. If you use an open network to manage an FSP, you must set the FSP's address manually through the Advanced System Management Interface menus. A private, non-routable network is recommended.
  6. If you have two HMCs, designate a primary and secondary HMC. The primary HMC needs be physically closer to the system, and must be the HMC that is configured to call home.
  7. Determine the network settings that you need to connect the HMC to remote workstations, logical partitions, and network devices.
  8. Define how the HMC calls home. Call home options include either over an outbound-only Secure Socket Layer (SSL) internet connection, a modem, or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection.
  9. Determine the HMC users that you create and their passwords, as well which roles they are given. You must assign the hscroot and hscpe users a password.
  10. Document the following company contact information that is needed when you configure call home:
    • Company name
    • Administrator contact
    • Email address
    • Telephone numbers
    • Fax numbers
    • The street address of the HMC's physical location
  11. If you plan to use email to notify operators or systems administrators when information is sent to IBM Service through call-home, identify the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server and the email addresses you use.
  12. You must define the following passwords:
    • The access password that is used to authenticate the HMC to the FSP.
    • The ASMI password that is used for the admin user.
    • The ASMI password that is used for the general user.
    Create the passwords when you connect from the HMC to a new server for the first time. If the HMC is a redundant or second HMC, obtain the HMC User password and be prepared to enter it when you connect the first time to the managed server's FSP.

When you complete these preparation steps, complete the Preinstallation configuration worksheet for the HMC.