Learn about maintaining and servicing the Hardware Management Console (HMC).
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 perform 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 you need to maintain the managed system, the underlying operating system, and the HMC machine code are available by using the HMC management interface.
This information supports HMC machine types 7042-CR4, 7042-CR5, 7042-C06, and 7042-C07.
The following illustrations identify each of the machine type 7042 models and show the cable connections located on the back of each HMC model.
The HMC graphical interface provides the functions 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 has been 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 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 developing 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.
For HMC power-on procedures, see Power on the HMC.
Your HMC system is based on a model of personal computer. For information about system specifications and system unit locations, use the appropriate personal computer hardware maintenance manuals. See Equivalent maintenance information for the HMC personal computer hardware.
To avoid electrical shock, a power cable with a grounded attachment plug is provided. Use only properly grounded outlets.
For a listing of power cables used by the HMC, see Power cords
For a more complete listing of HMC external cables and power cords, refer to the Site and Hardware Planning topic collection.