Hardware Management Console (HMC)
The HMC is installed in the base rack of a DS8000® when configured as an internal console (Feature Code 1100), or is installed in a custom-supplied 19-inch rack when configured as an external console (Feature Code 1110). The external console feature is designed to provide a redundant HMC to eliminate a potential single point of failure if the internal HMC should fail or require maintenance. Both of these HMCs can perform the same functions.
The HMC is a closed system with no support for customer installation of software or program packages. Standard command-line access is disabled. All but the least authoritative user have authentication schemes that require a current IBM® employee to provide and access code.
- Call Home Support
- Local Service and Support
- Remote Service and Support
- LPAR Management
- Storage Configuration
- Copy Services Invocation
Section 1 - Call home support
When a DS8000 recognizes a hardware component failure or a predictive analysis shows that a component should be replaced, the HMC is notified that support is required. Depending upon the customer-selected notification process, the HMCs initiated a service action either by dialing IBM using the integrated modem or by connecting to IBM through the secure high-speed VPN connection. Error and problem determination data is send from the DS8000 to the HMC in preparation for forwarding to IBM for analysis.
Section 2 - Local service and support
IBM Service and Support Representative (SSR) uses the HMC for all service actions. Service actions include initial installation, hardware upgrades, installation of updated licensed machine code, problem determination, and replacement of failed or failing components.
Section 3 - Remote service and support
IBM Service personnel that are located outside of the customer facility might need to log on to the HMC to provide service and support. The available methods for IBM to connect to the HMC are configured by the IBM SSR at the direction of the customer, and can include dial-up only access or access through the secure high-speed VPN connection. The secure high-speed VPN connection is the preferred method of attachment.
Section 4 - LPAR management
Customers can access the HMC to allow them to manage optional LPAR environments. This access allows the configuration, activation, and deactivation of logical partitions.
Section 5 - Storage Configuration
The HMC is required for all customer storage configuration operations. One of the components of the HMC is the CIM Server, which provides the SNIA compliant SMI-S interface to the DS8000. All storage configuration operations are accomplished by invoking SMI-S operations, either through the DS8000 Storage Manager, the DS8000 command-line interface (CLI), or through and SMI-S compliant storage management agent, such as the IBM TotalStorage Productivity Center (TPC).
The HMC also contains an instance of the DS Storage manager, which can be used by the customer to initiate storage configuration operations.
Section 6 - Copy Service Invocation
The same CIM server that supports storage configuration is also used to initiate Advance Copy Services operations. The HMC is required only to initiate changes to the Copy Services environment. Existing Copy Services relationships (such as Flashcopy pairs of PPRC pairs) continue to operate as designed even in the absence of the HMC. Copy Services operations against count key data (CKD) volumes can also be initiated through inband channel commands issued across FICON® channels from zSeries hosts. These commands are issued directly to the DS8000 and can be run without support from the HMC.