Troubleshooting
Problem
This document provides instructions to upgrade the HMC from Version 7.3.1 or later to Version 7.7.8.
Resolving The Problem
This document provides instructions to upgrade the HMC from Version 7.3.1 or later to Version 7.7.8.
Prerequisites
Prior to upgrading, complete the following:
1. Verify HMC users can be upgraded to 7.7.8
| Prior to upgrading, verify the HMC user profiles can be upgraded to 7.7.8. IBM has identified an issue with certain HMC configuration where, after an upgrade, all GUI logon attempts fail. For further information on the problem, including how to prevent the issue prior to an upgrade and recovering from the issue after a failed upgrade, see http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1019887 |
2. Verify server configuration is compatible with 7.7.8
Prior to upgrading, users with many partitions and partition profiles must verify that their current server configuration is compatible with HMC Version 7 Release 7.8.0. The HMC uses a storage area on each managed server to persist the server configuration. HMC V7R7.8.0 increases the usage of this storage area. Servers already containing a large number of profiles may not have sufficient space to allow an upgrade to HMC Version 7 Release 7.8.0.
For further information and detailed instructions on validating existing configurations see:
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1019821
3. Verify server firmware is compatible with 7.7.8
Prior to upgrading the HMC, determine if any managed server or flex node is at one of the following server firmware levels:
01Ax770 levels 032 (GA) to 064;
01Ax773 levels 033 to 051;
01Ax780 levels 040 (GA) to 050
If any Power Server is at an impacted level then concurrently update the server firmware to the latest available fix before upgrading the HMC. For further information on this restriction see IBM Support document N1020088 at http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1020088
4. Open port 12443 in any firewall
For HMC remote web browser access a new port, 12443, must be opened in any firewall that is between the remote client and the HMC.
5. Verify HMC model is compatible with 7.7.8
o Version 7.7.8 is not supported and cannot be installed on HMC models C03, C04 or CR2.
o If an HMC is used to manage any POWER7 processor based server, the HMC must be a model CR3 or later model rack-mount HMC or C05 or later deskside HMC.
6. Verify HMC memory requirement
To use the Power Enterprise Pools GUI, a minimum of 2GB memory is required. For further information on Power Enterprise Pools GUI, refer to the following link:
http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/2/877/ENUSZG13-0302/index.html&lang=en&request_locale=en
7. Confirm machine type/model and serial number are correct
Use one of the methods below to verify that the Machine Type/Model and Serial Number (MTMS) matches the information on the tag on the front of the physical HMC. If they do not match, do not attempt the upgrade. To resolve the problem, contact IBM Hardware at 1-800-426-7378 (800-IBM-SERV), Option 1 for hardware, and request a BIOS flash to correct the MTMS:
| o | On the HMC GUI interface, select Updates in the left-hand navigation panel. Find Model Type and Serial number in the HMC Code Level section of the right-hand panel. |
| o | From a restricted shell command line, type the following command and press Enter: lshmc -v *TM is the machine type/model, and *SE is the serial number. |
8. Additional Required Fixes
If the HMC is at 7.3.2 or later, no further preparation is required, and the upgrade to 7.7.8 can proceed as indicated below in the Download and burn HMC .iso images, obtain HMC media from IBM, or download direct from IBM to HMC section.
For HMC version 7.3.1, ensure the following prerequisite is met before the upgrade:
Note: MH01135 must be applied before saving the upgrade data.
Click here for a complete list of supported combinations of HMC V7 code levels and server firmware levels. Servers below the supported level should be updated after the HMC upgrade is complete.
Note: HMC 7.7.8 does not support dual/redundant management with IBM Systems Director Management Console (SDMC).
When two HMCs manage the same Server, both HMCs must be at the same version.
To avoid possible corruption of the partition data on the server, use one of the following options in a redundant HMC environment:
Option 1: This option involves physically disconnecting ethernet cables to remove HMC redundancy
o On each HMC, perform a Save Profile Data for each managed system to save an additional copy of partition/profile configurations - per instructions in Save Profile Data step below.
o Physically disconnect the ethernet cable from HMC #1 to the managed server(s)
o Upgrade HMC #1 to V7.7.8 and install recommended fixes - per instructions in the Save Upgrade Data and Upgrade the HMC to 7.7.8 steps below.
o Physically disconnect the ethernet cable from HMC #2 to the managed server(s)
o Reconnect the ethernet cable from HMC #1 to the managed server(s)
o Confirm HMC #1 connects successfully to managed server(s)
o Upgrade HMC #2 to V7.7.8 and install recommended fixes - per instructions in the Save Upgrade Data and Upgrade the HMC to 7.7.8 steps below.
o Reconnect the ethernet cable from HMC #2 to the managed server(s)
o Confirm HMC #2 connects successfully to managed server(s)
Option 2: This option uses the Remove Managed System task on one HMC to remove HMC redundancy
o On HMC #2 restricted shell command line, enter lssysconn -r all and record the IP address of each server. Use ASMI and the admin account to reset the HMC access password if it is unknown.
Note: If you reset the HMC Access password at this point, it is recommended that on HMC #1 you either do a reset connection, or reboot HMC#1, to force HMC #1 to reauthenticate to the server. The server status will then be Failed Authentication. Select the server, select the task Update Password, enter the new HMC Access password and the server should then show a status of Operating on HMC #1.
o On HMC #2 GUI, select a server, then task Connections - Reset or Remove - Remove connection. Repeat for each additional server on HMC #2 that is also managed by HMC #1. At this point, HMC redundancy has been removed.
o On HMC #1, perform a Save Profile Data for each managed system to save an additional copy of partition/profile configurations - per instructions in Save Profile Data step below.
o Upgrade HMC #1 to V7.7.8 and install recommended fixes - per instructions in the Save Upgrade Data and Upgrade the HMC to 7.7.8 steps below.
o Confirm HMC #1 connects successfully to managed server(s).
o Upgrade HMC #2 to V7.7.8 and install recommended fixes - per instructions in the Save Upgrade Data and Upgrade the HMC to 7.7.8 steps below.
o On HMC #2, use the Add Managed System task to add each server back into the HMC #2 configuration using the IP address you previously recorded.
o Confirm HMC #2 connects successfully to managed server(s)
Remote SSH Connectivity
When upgrading to HMC 7.7.8, "Remote Command Execution" (SSH) may be disabled. Prior to upgrading, ensure that local HMC access, or remote web browser access, is available to re-enable remote command execution after the upgrade should that be necessary. Instructions for enabling are provided in Rochester Support Center knowledgebase document N1012875 Configuring the Version 7 HMC to Accept SSH Connections and Remote Commands. To link to document N1012875 immediately, click here .
Readme file for HMC V7 R7.8.0 Recovery Media and mandatory fix MH01388 can be found at the following URL:
http://delivery04.dhe.ibm.com/sar/CMA/HMA/046qn/11/MH01377.readme.html
If the HMC has not been restarted recently, you should restart before you begin the upgrade.
Download and burn HMC .iso images, obtain HMC media from IBM, or download direct from IBM to HMC
Choose one of the following:
Tab navigation
- .iso images - selected tab,
- Ordering / Using DVDs/CDs
- Download Direct from IBM to HMC
.iso images
| Step 1: To obtain HMC 7.7.8 .iso images, do the following: 1. Download and burn the HMC Version 7.7.8.0 Recovery DVDs: HMC_Recovery_V7R780_1.iso and HMC_Recovery_V7R780_2.iso 2. Burn each .iso as an image to DVD-R media. Step 2: Save Profile Data Use one of the following options to perform a Save Profile Data for each managed system to save an additional copy of partition/profile configurations. Option 1: Use HMC GUI interface
Option 2: Use restricted shell command line On the local HMC, select HMC Management -> Open Restricted Shell Terminal. For remote access using SSH, refer to section above titled "Remote SSH Connectivity" At the command prompt, enter the following command which will save profile data for all servers: IFS=',';lssyscfg -r sys -F name | while read mname ; do bkprofdata -m "$mname" -f Beforeupgrade$(date +%Y%m%d) ; done Step 3: Save Upgrade Data A Save Upgrade Data task must be done to preserve information on the HMC before performing the upgrade. You must upgrade immediately after the Save Upgrade Data task. If you restart the HMC again without doing the upgrade, you must log in and run the Save Upgrade Data task again before performing the upgrade.
Step 4: Upgrade HMC to 7.7.8 (from Recovery Media) Do the following at the HMC interface to upgrade the HMC by means of the Recovery DVDs.
|
Ordering / Using DVDs/CDs
| Step 1: Order the HMC Version 7.7.8.0 Recovery DVDs: MH01377. Step 2: Save Profile Data Use one of the following options to perform a Save Profile Data for each managed system to save an additional copy of partition/profile configurations. Option 1: Use HMC GUI interface
On the local HMC, select HMC Management -> Open Restricted Shell Terminal. For remote access using SSH, refer to section above titled "Remote SSH Connectivity" At the command prompt, enter the following command which will save profile data for all servers: IFS=',';lssyscfg -r sys -F name | while read mname ; do bkprofdata -m "$mname" -f Beforeupgrade$(date +%Y%m%d) ; done Step 3: Save Upgrade Data A Save Upgrade Data task must be done to preserve information on the HMC before performing the upgrade. You must upgrade immediately after the Save Upgrade Data task. If you restart the HMC again without doing the upgrade, you must log in and run the Save Upgrade Data task again before performing the upgrade.
Step 4: Upgrade HMC to 7.7.8 (from Recovery Media) Do the following at the HMC interface to upgrade the HMC by means of the Recovery DVDs.
|
Download Direct from IBM to HMC
| Important Note: If a problem occurs during the upgrade using this download method, it is possible that the only way to recover the HMC will be to use DVD Recovery Media. If you choose this method, it is recommended that you have access to 7.7.8 recovery media, if required. Optional: Using a local server This ftp download technique can be used to upgrade from a local server. To upgrade from a local server instead of direct from the IBM ftp site, refer to the information at the bottom of this page. Upgrade using files downloaded directly from the IBM ftp site to the HMC Restricted Shell Access This upgrade method requires restricted shell access. From the local HMC, select HMC Management > Open a Restricted Shell Terminal Running remote commands using the restricted shell is available through ssh protocol. The user must obtain and install on the PC an ssh client such as PuTTY. Then,configure the HMC for running remote commands. For further information on how to configure remote command execution, refer to Rochester Support Center knowledgebase document N1012875, Configuring the Version 7 HMC to Accept SSH Connections and Remote Commands. To link to document N1012875 immediately, click here Step 1: Save Profile Data Use one of the following options to perform a Save Profile Data for each managed system to save an additional copy of partition/profile configurations. Option 1: Use HMC GUI interface
Option 2: Use restricted shell command line On the local HMC, select HMC Management -> Open Restricted Shell Terminal. For remote access using SSH, refer to section above titled "Remote SSH Connectivity" At the command prompt, enter the following command which will save profile data for all servers: IFS=',';lssyscfg -r sys -F name | while read mname ; do bkprofdata -m "$mname" -f Beforeupgrade$(date +%Y%m%d) ; done Step 2: Save Upgrade Dat A Save Upgrade Data task must be done to preserve information on the HMC before performing the upgrade. You must upgrade immediately after the Save Upgrade Data task. If you restart the HMC again without doing the upgrade, you must log in and run the Save Upgrade Data task again before performing the upgrade.
Step 3: Upgrade the HMC to 7.7.8
1. Use FTP to do a binary download of the upgrade files from the IBM server to a directory on a local FTP server: IBM Server: ftp.software.ibm.com/software/server/hmc/network/v7780 Files: (if you use the mget command, be aware that bzImage does not have a file extension) bzImage disk1.img disk2.img disk3.img hmcnetworkfiles.sum initrd.gz 2. Perform the upgrade as described above. However, in Step 7, modify the getupgfiles command to point to your local FTP server. For example: getupgfiles -h myserver -u myuserid --passwd mypassword -d /mydirectory |
Install the required fixes for 7.7.8
Critical fixes for 7.7.8 must be installed. Follow the instructions to get the corrective service updates applied by referring to document N1021586, Update(s) for HMC 7.7.8. To link to document N1021586 immediately, click here .
Historical Number
690048653
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Document Information
Modified date:
22 September 2021
UID
nas8N1021593