Troubleshooting
Problem
This document lists the available upgrades and updates for the Hardware Management Consoles that manage IBM POWER Systems hosting IBM i, AIX, and POWER linux partitions.
Upgrade is changing the release level on the HMC. Example - V9R1 to V9R2
Update is installing a service pack or fix to a current release.
Resolving The Problem
IBM support recommends installing the latest HMC version release and fix level that is supported for the target environment. Upgrade images and the latest fixes are available in IBM Fix Central at https://www-945.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/
HMC Upgrades
Target Version: The version of HMC to upgrade to. Upgrading From: The versions of HMC that can directly upgrade to the target release in one step. Versions older then those listed require a multi-step upgrade. Upgrade Instructions: Link to the instructions on how to obtain the upgrade images and perform the upgrade. Updates: Link to the instructions on how to obtain and install fixes for the current release. Date Available: Approximate date the version/release was first made generally available for use. End of Service: The date that fix support ends for the target release. Models supported: List of HMC models that support the target release. Entries in bold indicate a change in support; the first release to support a new model or the last release to support a model whose support has ended. Machine type 7315 supported ended in 6.1.3. Model 7042-OE1 requires minimum of V8.8.3.0.1; 7042-OE2 requires a minimum of V8.8.6.0. For further information on HMC hardware support, see http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/power5cm/supportedcodeHMCHW.html Power Support: Indicates the family of IBM POWER servers this HMC can manage: P9 is POWER9; P8 is POWER 8; P7 POWER7, P6 POWER6 and P5 POWER5. Specific server model/types, hardware feature codes or firmware features included in that family may place additional constraints on the minimum HMC release or service pack required. |
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| HMC Model-specific Firmware Updates For certain HMC Machine Type/Models (MTMs), IBM recommends updating the HMC firmware with the lastest BoMC images to ensure critical fixes are installed. See: http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/hmcl/bios/home.html |
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| HMC Code Levels and Server Firmware Compatibility The design goal is that a HMC can, at a minimum, connect to and perform a server firmware upgrade or update on any supported server model that has a server firmware level that is at an equivalent or earlier level then the HMC. In general, upgrade the HMC first, then upgrade the server firmware to a recommended level soon after the HMC upgrade. Always check the HMC and server firmware release notes (readmes) for any release specific exceptions or special instructions. Click here for a complete list of supported combinations of HMC V7 and V8 code levels and server firmware levels. |
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| HMC Code Levels and IBM i OS compatibility IBM i upgrades have no direct dependency on the version of the HMC however a new IBM i release may require a minimum server firmware level which, in turn, will specify a minimum HMC release. For a list of ibm i server firmware dependencies see the table Minimum firmware levels supported by IBM i release at http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1021577 HMC upgrades have no minimum IBM i OS requirement. New HMC functions specific to IBM i, for example IBM i network install or the OS shutdown option, may require a minimum IBM i release or PTF level to use. Check the HMC release notes (readme) and/or the IBM knowledge center for feature specific requirements. |
Related Links and References
HMC Hardware support chart: http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/power5cm/supportedcodeHMCHW.html
IBM Power code Matrix: http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/power5cm/home.html
IBM Fix Recommendation Tool: https://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/flrt/
IBM Fix Central: https://www-945.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/
Checking for the current HMC Code level
At all versions of the HMC, the command "lshmc -V" can be used to display the current version, release and fix level.
- Version 8 "enhanced" login
Click the help icon ("?") in the upper right corner then select About
- Version 7 and Version 8 "classic" login.
From the HMC or remote GUI session log in to the HMC, Select the Welcome option in the navigation area, then mouseover "HMC Version."
The HMC code version will be displayed in a pop-up box as illustrated below:
- Version 6 and Previous Versions of HMC Code
From the HMC:
Click on Help and About from the menu of the HMC main interface. A window shows the installed version, release, modification, and build level. A list of all of the applied PTFs is included. This information cannot be displayed from a remote WebSM session using these same menu options.
From a remote WebSM session:
In the navigation area, expand Licensed Internal Code Maintenance, and select HMC Code Update. In the Status area on the right, the current version, build level, and PTF list can be viewed. To view the entire list of installed fixes, it might be necessary to scroll the frame to the right.
Clicking on the Display HMC Version menu option also displays the following information:
Document Information
Modified date:
15 July 2021
UID
nas8N1021840