The service interface for the DS8000 family of storage products is called the Hardware Management Console (HMC) and has been designed to provide access to the IBM® Service organization through a secure high-speed network connection, but can also support a low-speed connection through and asynchronous modem connection. The high-speed connection is provided by configuring the customer network to allow access from the HMC to IBM through a secure virtual private network (VPN) established through the Internet. IBM has designed security features into the HMC that provide a secure connection.