IBM Hardware Management Console

Hardware Management Console is a technology invented by IBM for the purpose of providing a standard interface to configuring and operating partitioned (also known as an LPAR or virtualized system) and SMP systems such as IBM System i, IBM System p or IBM Power Systems.

The HMC is a Linux kernel using Busybox to provide the base utilities and X Window using the Fluxbox window manager to provide graphical logins. The HMC also utilizes Java applications to provide additional functionality.

Using an HMC, the system administrator is able to manage the software configuration and operation of partitions in a server system, as well as to monitor and identify hardware problems. HMCs offer an inexpensive method to administer complex and expensive servers, as a console need only consist of a 32-bit Intel-based desktop PC with a DVD-RAM drive. HMC is used to:

• Configure and manage logical partitions and partition profiles
• Perform DLPAR functions.
• Activate and manage Capacity on Demand resources.

HMC Versions

• HMC V7, for POWER5, POWER6 and POWER7 models
  • HMC V7R7.2.0 (Initial support for Power 710, Power 720, Power 730, Power 740 and Power 795 models)
  • HMC V7R7.1.0 (Initial support for POWER7)
  • HMC V7R3.5.0 (released Oct. 30, 2009)
  • HMC V7R3.4.0
  • HMC V7R3.3.0
  • HMC V7R3.2.0
  • HMC V7R3.1.0 (Initial support for POWER6 models)
• HMC V6
  • HMC V6R1.3
  • HMC V6R1.2
• 5.2.1
• 5.1.0
• 4.5.0
• 4.4.0
• 4.3.1
• 4.2.1
• 4.2.0, for POWER5 models
• 4.1.x
• 3.x, for POWER4 models

External links

• IBM HMC support homepage
• HMC Support forum
• IBM's definition of HMC
• IBM Information Center / HMC
• HMC on Series P

See also

• IBM Integrated Virtualization Manager
• IBM Service processor
• IBM System i
• IBM System p