Update(s) for HMC V10R3M1050

Overview

Summary

This document provides instructions for updating HMC V10R3M1050 with the latest fixes. The document will be updated during the release to detail the latest available service pack and ifix. Once you review the prerequisite steps you can skip to the section that details the update method you intend to use.

Objective

Update the HMC to the current service level.

Environment

7063-CR1, 7063-CR2, vHMC x86, vHMC Power

Current Available Updates

Service Pack M1065

Note: This fix cannot be ordered on media. It is available on Fix Central and on the FTP download site only.

Readme Files

• MF71779 Readme — HMC V10R3M1065 Service Pack (7063 / vHMC PowerVM)

Choosing an Update Method

Note: The HMC can no longer be updated directly from public.dhe.ibm.com. HMC network update is supported from Fix Central using the SFTP option or by staging the updates on a local server. HMC V10R2 and later supports updates using the IBM website repository. See: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6959323

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Prerequisites

Before updating, review the following:

Note: The HMC can no longer be updated directly from public.dhe.ibm.com. HMC network update is supported from Fix Central using the SFTP option or by staging the updates on a local server. HMC V10R2 and later supports updates using the IBM website repository.
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6959323

1. Verify the HMC is at V10R3M1050

If the HMC is not at V10R3M1050, you must first upgrade to V10R3M1050 before applying these updates. To upgrade the HMC to V10R3M1050, refer to the appropriate upgrade document for your platform:

• Model 7063 and vHMC for PowerVM: Upgrading the HMC from Version V10R1M1010 or V10R2M1030 to V10R3M1050
• vHMC on x86: Upgrading the HMC from Version V10R1 or V10R2M1030 to V10R3M1050

2. Determine the HMC Platform Type (x86 versus ppc)

Determine which PTF download is needed based on the HMC model or vHMC component.

3. Review the Readme Files

Service Pack M1065

• MF71779 Readme — HMC V10R3M1065 Service Pack (7063 / vHMC PowerVM)

Note: This fix cannot be ordered on media.

4a. Important Notes from the M1065 Readme

The M1065 readme includes the following future support notes that may affect your environment:

• FTP removed from GUI: Support for the FTP option has been removed from all HMC GUI interfaces. Use SFTP or NFS instead. FTP is still available in some CLI commands.
• REST API port change: REST API access via port 12443 has been removed. Use port 443 instead for all HMC REST API access.

4. Note on x86 Bare Metal

HMC V10R3 for x86 is not supported on bare metal (7042 hardware appliances).

5. Reboot the HMC Before Updating (Recommended)

If the HMC has not been restarted recently, restart before you begin the updates. To check the last reboot use the command who -b. To restart the HMC, click HMC Management > HMC Actions (drop-down arrow) > Shut Down or Restart > Restart HMC, then click OK.

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GUI Update Options

Service packs and iFixes can be applied using the Update HMC task in the HMC GUI. The task supports multiple image source options — the best choice depends on whether your HMC can reach IBM Electronic Services directly:

• IBM Website — easiest option if the HMC can connect to IBM Electronic Services. The HMC downloads the fix automatically.
• SFTP server / FTP server / NFS server — use when the HMC cannot reach IBM directly. Stage the fix on a local server first (see the Local Server tab), then point the task at that server.
• USB — for 7063-CR1, 7063-CR2 / vHMC PowerVM (ppc) only. See the USB Update tab.

Step 1 — Navigate to HMC Management and open HMC Actions

On the GUI, select HMC Management, then click the HMC Actions drop-down arrow and select Update HMC.

Step 2 — Select the Image Location and Enter Credentials

In the next screen, check the box for Restart the HMC if required, then set the Image location as appropriate:

• Select IBM website if the HMC has Internet access — the available fixes are retrieved automatically. Select the service pack or iFix from the list and click Update HMC.

• Select SFTP server if using Fix Central SFTP credentials. Enter the Server name, User ID, and Password obtained from Fix Central, along with the appropriate filename:

  • HMC_Update_V10R3M1065_ppc.iso (for 7063 or vHMC on PowerVM)
  • HMC_Update_V10R3M1065_x86.iso (for vHMC x86)

  To obtain SFTP credentials, go to Fix Central, select the service pack or iFix for your platform, and choose Download using bulk FTPS/SFTP. Sign in with your IBMid to receive the server name, user, and password.

Step 3 — Monitor and Complete the Update

Click Update HMC to begin. If successful, a completion screen will appear. Click Restart HMC (if the automatic restart option was not selected).

After the HMC restarts, verify the install using the steps in the Verify tab.

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SSH Command Line Update Options

The updhmc command is used for service pack and ifix updates. As with the GUI, you can pull down the images from IBM directly using the ibmwebsite type option or via SFTP.

Option A — Using IBM Website (Recommended)

If the HMC can connect to the Internet, the easiest fix location to use is ibmwebsite. Apply in order: service pack first, then iFix.

Apply Service Pack M1065

updhmc -t ibmwebsite --ptf vMF71778 -r

updhmc -t ibmwebsite --ptf MF71779 -r

updhmc -t ibmwebsite --ptf vMF71779 -r

Option B — Using SFTP

Using SFTP to pull down the images requires additional information: server address, username, password, and package filename. Go to Fix Central for 7063 or vHMC x86, select the fix you want, then continue. Use the Download files using bulk FTPS/SFTP option. Agree to the terms and you will receive delivery04.dhe.ibm.com along with a User and Password. The credentials are valid for 24 hours.

Service Pack — vHMC on x86:

updhmc -t sftp -h delivery04.dhe.ibm.com -u {User given} -p {Password given} -r -f HMC_Update_V10R3M1065_x86.iso

Service Pack — 7063 or vHMC on ppc:

updhmc -t sftp -h delivery04.dhe.ibm.com -u {User given} -p {Password given} -r -f HMC_Update_V10R3M1065_ppc.iso

Important: Make sure to reboot after the fix is installed if you did not use the -r flag. Command: hmcshutdown -t now -r

After the HMC restarts, verify the install using the steps in the Verify tab.

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Alternative: Stage the Updates on a Local Server

If the HMC does not have direct access to the IBM website, the files can be downloaded and placed on a local server. The HMC supports installing fixes over the network using SFTP, FTP, and NFS protocols. To update from a local server instead of directly from the IBM website, do the following:

1. Use Fix Central to download the fix to your PC, then transfer to your local server. PTFs for a Service Pack will be under + Show patched by.
2. Go to Fix Central, select the Service Pack, and set the download option to HTTPS.
   • x86 Service Pack: PTF MF71778
   • ppc Service Pack: PTF MF71779 — MF71779 Readme
3. Once the files are downloaded to your PC, move them to your local server using FTP or SFTP.

4. Update the HMC from the local server. You can use either the GUI option or SSH command line. Be sure to use the credentials for that remote server.

   GUI Option

   Navigate to HMC Management > HMC Actions > Update HMC. Set the Image location to SFTP server or NFS server, enter your local server credentials and filename, then click Update HMC.

   CLI — SFTP

   updhmc -t sftp -h {local-server} -u {username} -p {password} -r -f {iso-filename}

   CLI — FTP

   updhmc -t ftp -h {local-server} -u {username} -p {password} -r -f {iso-filename}

   CLI — NFS

   updhmc -t nfs -h {local-server} -d {directory-path} -r

After the HMC restarts, verify the install using the steps in the Verify tab.

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USB Update

Important: This only works if you have a Linux workstation. Windows does not write to EXT4 USB, which is required for this update. This method applies to 7063-CR1, 7063-CR2 ppc only.

Note: These fixes cannot be ordered on media. You must download from Fix Central and manually copy to USB.

Step 1 — Format the USB on the HMC

Format the USB drive on an HMC at V10R3M1050 (minimum), which will format EXT4 — required for these fixes. USB 8 GB or larger required.

Step 2 — Download the Service Pack

Go to Fix Central for 7063 / vHMC on ppc and download PTF MF71779. Set the download option to HTTPS. Download the file to a Linux workstation.

• File: HMC_Update_V10R3M1065_ppc.iso
• MF71779 Readme (ppc Service Pack)

Note: Windows does not write to EXT4 USB. The file must be copied from a Linux workstation.

Step 3 — Copy the Fix to USB Media

1. Insert the EXT4-formatted USB drive into your Linux workstation.
2. Copy the ISO file to the USB drive as data (verify the exact filename from the readme).

Step 4 — Install the Service Pack from USB

1. Insert the USB drive into the HMC.
2. From the GUI, select HMC Management > HMC Actions > Update HMC.
3. Set the Image location to USB. Check the box for Restart the HMC if required.
4. Once it finds the USB, click Update HMC.
5. Reboot the HMC after the install completes.

After the HMC restarts, verify the install using the steps in the Verify tab.

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Verifying a Successful Update

After the HMC has restarted following installation of the iFix, do the following to verify that the update was successful:

Step 1 — Open About HMCv10

In the upper banner at the far right of the page, click on the ? (circle with question mark). In the drop-down menu click on About HMCv10. While the format will be slightly different, the details below are what you need to review.

After Service Pack M1065 is Installed

x86 (MF71778 installed):

version= Version: 10
Release: 3
Service Pack: 1065
HMC Build level 2609110956
MF71778 - HMC V10R3 M1065
","base_version=V10R3
"

ppc — 7063 or vHMC PowerVM (MF71779 installed):

version= Version: 10
Release: 3
Service Pack: 1065
HMC Build level 2609110956
MF71779 - HMC V10R3 M1065
","base_version=V10R3
"

Step 2 — CLI Alternative

The above output is also available using lshmc -V on the SSH command line:

lshmc -V

Step 3 — Backup Recommendation

It is recommended that you perform a backup of the HMC after a successful update. Record the current HMC version and fix information in the backup description field. Instructions for the HMC backup are provided at the following link:

Backup HMC data — IBM Support

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