IBM Support

How to reinstall an HMC

How To


Summary

Learn about the reasons for reinstallation, the methods of reinstallation, and the directions to perform the reinstallation.

Steps

Reasons for reinstallation
The most common, reasons for reinstalling an HMC are:
  • Start with a fresh configuration
  • Due to a problem after installing and update, or after upgrading the HMC
  • Storage problems (eg. disk failure or data corruption)
  • Avoid having to perform multiple upgrades to catch up to the latest version
Methods of reinstallation
  • Physical recovery media
    This method involves the use of a physical boot device such as a DVD, USB, or Virtual Media (through the BMC of the HMC)
    • For DVD, download a .iso image and create a bootable DVD from it.
    • For USB, download a .iso image or a .img image (starting with HMC V10R2 1050), and create a bootable USB from it.
    • For Virtual Media, the BMC of the HMC provides a mechanism to allow the remote-mounting of the .iso file.
  • Network (recovery) images
    This method involves pre-staging the recovery media on the HMC's disk, by downloading it directly from IBM, or from a local server. Since this method requires a working HMC environment, it may not be applicable to all the reinstallation scenarios.
Where to obtain recovery media?
The recovery media can be found on Fix Central by searching for "Power Hardware Management Console for ...".
Select the model that matches your HMC. For example if you have a 7063-CR2 then search for  "Power Hardware Management Console for 7063 Machine Types".
Preserving current configuration
If any prior configuration will be preserved, with the purpose of restoring it after the HMC is reinstalled, there are two  data preservation mechanisms, and a manual option.
  • Save Upgrade Data (referred to as SUD henceforth)
    Can be used to restore the configuration of an HMC following a reinstallation, if it was captured at a level (source level) that is supported by the target level, as a valid level to upgrade from.
    For example, to upgrade to HMC V10R3.1050, the HMC must be at a minimum level of V10R1. If reinstalling with V10R3, the SUD must have been collected from an HMC at V10R2 or newer.
    For information on the supported upgrade paths and dependencies for each "from" and "target" level, see "Recommended Fixes - HMC Code Upgrades".
  • Backup of Critical Console Data (referred to as CCD henceforth)
    Data that is backed up by using the CCD task can be restored only to the same HMC. A CCD can only be restored on an HMC at the same level as the backup.
    For example, if the HMC had V10R3.1061, then the HMC must first be reinstalled with base level V10R3.1050, and then updated with SP1 (1061) before restoring the backup. For details on dependencies, consult the readme for the applicable iFix or Service Pack.
  • If neither SUD nor CCD are not available, then the only other way to restore the configuration of the HMC, is to do so manually. The document "Items to Document Prior to Performing Scratch Installation of the HMC" can be used as a guide of what information to capture prior to reinstallation.

Reinstallation Directions
USB-attached DVD considerations and restrictions:
When using an external USB DVD drive, it must be dual layer capable. You may also need to connect the USB DVD drive to an external power source or use a USB Y cable to connect to an extra USB port to provide sufficient power to the DVD drive. For the 7063-CR2 model, the length of the USB cable should not exceed 1 m when connecting to the front USB port(s), to prevent signal degradation.
Steps
  1. Download the Recovery DVD image (.iso) from Fix Central. 
  2. Burn the .iso as an image to DVD+R dual layer (DL) media on a dual layer-capable DVD writer
  3. Connect the USB DVD drive (dual layer-capable) to the HMC
  4. Insert the Recovery DVD into the drive
  5. Reboot the HMC
  6. At the Petitboot menu, select the boot option "Install Hardware Management Console". If the HMC disk already has a boot image from a previous installation, it may show as "Hardware Management Console" as shown in the image.
    Petitboot menu showing DVD boot option
  7. When presented with the installation wizard, select the operation "Install" and select "Next"HMC main installation menu
  8. When the installation completes, select the option to "Finish the installation without restoring data." and select "Next".
    image-20250206144406-1
  9. Accept licenses when prompted.
  10. (Optional) Restore SUD, or continue updating the HMC to match the level at which the CCD was captured, and then restore it.
USB 
  1. Download the Recovery image from Fix Central.
    • For HMC v10R3 and newer, download the HMC_xxxx_USB.zip
      • NOTE: The .img file is packed in the .zip archive. Before proceeding, unzip the HMC_xxxx_USB.zip file, to reveal the .img file.
    • For prior versions, download the .iso file.
  2. Follow the instructions to create a bootable USB
  3. Insert the bootable USB on the HMC
  4. Reboot the HMC
  5. At the Petitboot menu, select the boot option "Install Hardware Management Console". If the HMC disk already has a boot image from a previous installation, it may show as "Hardware Management Console" as shown in the image.
    image-20250205125459-1
  6. When presented with the installation wizard, select the operation "Install" and select "Next"
    image-20250205125633-2
  7. When the installation completes, select the option to "Finish the installation without restoring data." and select "Next".
    image-20250206144406-1
  8. Accept licenses when prompted.
  9. (Optional) Restore SUD, or continue updating the HMC to match the level at which the CCD was captured, and then restore it.
Virtual Image Through the BMC
Directions for 7063-CR1 BMC
Mount the iso image using BMC remote virtual media.
  1. Log in to the BMC web interface (https://). Default login is ADMIN/ADMIN.
  2. Select Remote Control.
  3. Select Console Redirection.
  4. Click Launch Console. Accept any Java prompts.
    image-20231117142311-1
  5. In the Java™ iKVM Viewer, select Virtual Media > Virtual Storage.
    image-20231117143410-1
  6. Under Logical Drive Type, select ISO File.
  7. Click Open Image and locate the Recovery ISO file on your system.
  8. Press plug-in to mount the ISO file.
    image-20231117143530-2
  9. Reboot the HMC
  10. At the Petitboot panel cursor up to halt the automatic boot.
    image-20231117143944-1
  11. Wait for the CD/DVD device to appear in the boot list (this may take up to a minute). 
    Note:  If the device does not automatically appear within in one minute, select Rescan devices and hit enter to rescan.
    After the CD/DVD option appears, cursor up to select the Install Hardware Management Console option that is located under CD/DVD. Press enter.
    image-20231117144157-2
  12. When presented with the installation wizard, select the operation "Install" and select "Next".
    image-20250205113128-1
  13. When the installation completes, select the option to "Finish the installation without restoring data." and select "Next".
    image-20250206144406-1
  14. Accept licenses when prompted.
  15. (Optional) Restore SUD, or continue updating the HMC to match the level at which the CCD was captured, and then restore it.
Directions for 7063-CR2 BMC
For additional information see https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6956596
 
  1. Mount the iso image using BMC remote virtual media.
  2. Log in to the BMC web interface (https:// ). Default login is root/OpenBmc.
  3. Select Server Control.
  4. Select Virtual Media
  5. Choose File, and go select the iso file.
  6. Click Start
    image-20250205114302-1
  7. Reboot the HMC
  8. When the Petitboot menu is displayed, select the Install Hardware Management Console option that is located under USB.
    image-20250205114518-2
  9. When presented with the installation wizard, select the operation "Install" and select "Next"
    image-20250205114633-3
  10. When the installation completes, select the option to "Finish the installation without restoring data." and select "Next".
    image-20250206144406-1
  11. Accept licenses when prompted.
  12. (Optional) Restore SUD, or continue updating the HMC to match the level at which the CCD was captured, and then restore it.
Directions for Network Images
  1. Select a method through which to obtain the Recovery Media network images. 
    Starting with v10R2.1050, an "ibmwebsite" repository option was added to the getupgfiles allowing for the direct downloading of the Recovery Media network images, directly from IBM.
    For versions of HMC earlier than v10R2.1050 or for HMCs that cannot connect to IBM, download the Recovery Media, network images file from Fix Central.  Example: V10R3_network_images_ppc.zip 
    Alternatively, download from the public.dhe.ibm.com site.
  2. If the .zip file was downloaded, unpack it to reveal the network installation images.
    Copy the network images to a local server that supports FTP, SFTP, or NFS. 
  3. Use the getupgfiles command to stage the network images on the HMC. 

    getupgfiles -r {disk | ftp | sftp | nfs | ibmwebsite}
    [-h host-name] [-u user-ID] [--passwd password] [-k SSH-private-key]
    [-l mount-location] [-o mount-command-options] [-d directory]
    [--ptf PTF-number] [--help]

    For syntax details, reference getupgfiles in IBM Docs.

    Examples:

    Get HMC upgrade files from a remote FTP server (you will be prompted to enter the user’s password):
    getupgfiles -r ftp -h ftpserver -u ftpuser -d /home/ftpuser/images

    Get HMC upgrade files from a remote SFTP server and use SSH keys for authentication:
    getupgfiles -r sftp -h 9.3.123.25 -u sftpuser -k /home/hmcuser/keys/id_rsa -d /home/sftpuser/images

    Get HMC upgrade files from a remote NFS server:
    getupgfiles -r nfs -h nfsserver -l /hmc/upgrades -d 830

    Get HMC upgrade files from the HMC hard disk:
    getupgfiles -r disk -d /home/hscroot

    Get the HMC upgrade files for PTF MF71420 from the IBM Fix Central website:
    getupgfiles -r ibmwebsite --ptf MF71420
     
  4. Set the HMC to do the next reboot from the special location on the hard disk where the downloaded V10 files are stored by typing the following command:
    chhmc -c altdiskboot -s enable --mode install
     

  5. Remove any USB flash drive that contains HMC CCD before performing a network installation.

  6. Reboot the HMC to start the installation process.
    The installation process can be lengthy. It is recommended to monitor the installation locally (local console), or remotely through the Remote Console feature of the BMC (iKVM for 7063-CR1, or KVM for 7063-CR2)

  7. Accept licenses when prompted.
  8. (Optional) Restore SUD, or continue updating the HMC to match the level at which the CCD was captured, and then restore it.

Document Location

Worldwide

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Document Information

Modified date:
06 August 2025

UID

ibm17181651

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