Hardware Management Console service (7042-CR7, 7042-CR8, or 7042-CR9)

Use this information for troubleshooting, service, and support of your 7042-CR7, 7042-CR8, or 7042-CR9 Hardware Management Console (HMC).

The HMC connects to one or more managed systems to complete various functions. The HMC's primary functions include:
  • Providing a console for system administrators and service providers to manage server hardware.
  • Creating and maintaining a multiple partitioned environment on a managed system.
  • Detecting, reporting, and storing changes in hardware conditions.
  • Acting as a service focal point for service providers to determine an appropriate service strategy.
  • Displaying operating system session terminals for each partition.

The HMC is delivered with its machine code preinstalled on the disk drive. After the system is installed and connected to a managed system, you can complete system management tasks.

The HMC machine code does not have provisions for loading or running additional applications that are not related to hardware management or service. All the tasks that you need to maintain the managed system, the underlying operating system, and the HMC machine code are available by using the HMC management interface.

Identifying your HMC

This information supports HMC machine types 7042-CR7, 7042-CR8, and 7042-CR9.

The following illustrations identify each of the machine type 7042 models and show the cable connections that are located on the rear of each HMC model.

Figure 1. Model 7042-CR7 or 7042-CR8 (Front view of the server model with a 2.5-inch hard disk drive)
7042-CR7 or 7042-CR8 (Front view)
Figure 2. Model 7042-CR7 or 7042-CR8 (Rear view)
7042-CR7 or 7042-CR8 (Front view)
Figure 3. Model 7042-CR9 (Front view of the server model with 2.5-inch hard disk drives)
7042-CR9 (Front view of the server model with 2.5-inch hard disk drives)
Figure 4. Model 7042-CR9 (Rear view)
7042-CR9 (Rear view)

Managed system operation

The HMC graphical interface provides the functions that are needed to create and maintain a partitioned environment on a managed system. Using the interface allows for direct manipulation of HMC-defined objects and increased information regarding detected changes in hardware conditions.

The managed system can be run as a partitioned system, sometimes referred to as logically partitioned. This means that the managed system can run multiple operating systems simultaneously. The system can also run as a large single partition, which is known as the manufacturing default configuration when the system is delivered. If the system is partitioned, then the single partition that uses all the system resources is referred to as a full system partition.

Partitioning provides users with the ability to divide a single managed system into several systems. Each of these systems, running in a partition, can run applications in multiple, independent environments simultaneously. Logical partitioning makes it possible for a user to run a single application by using different sets of data on separate partitions, as if that application were running independently on separate physical systems. By creating partitions, for example, a company can test its programs in one partition while it develops the same program in another, at the same time, all using the same system. This same system partitioning method is more cost-effective, potentially eliminating the need for a separate test system.

The full system partition is no different from the traditional way of using a system. The single server uses all of its resources as one system.

HMC system diagnostics

Your HMC system also provides a set of diagnostic procedures to be used when you are troubleshooting HMC problems. For more information about accessing the HMC diagnostics, see HMC diagnostics.

External AC power cable for the HMC

To avoid electrical shock, a power cable with a grounded attachment plug is provided. Use only properly grounded outlets.

Power cables that are used in the United States and Canada are listed by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) and certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). These power cords consist of the following parts:
  • Electrical cables, type ST
  • Attachment plugs that comply with National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) L6-30P.
  • Appliance couplers that comply with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 320, Sheet C13 and C14.
Power cables that are used in other countries consist of the following parts:
  • Electrical cables, type HD21 or HD22
  • Attachment plugs that are approved by the appropriate testing organization for the specific countries where they are used.
  • Appliance couplers that comply with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 320, Sheet C13 and C14.

For a listing of power cables that are used by the HMC, see Power cords.

For a more complete listing of power cords, see Planning for power.