Hardware Management Console Installation and Operations Guide


Introducing the Hardware Management Console

The HMC uses its connection to one or more systems (referred to in this book as managed systems) to perform various functions, including the following:


Managed System Operations

Partitioning provides users with the ability to configure a single computer into several independent systems. Each of these systems, called partitions, is capable of running applications in its own independent environment. This independent environment contains its own operating system, its own set of system processors, its own set of system memory, and its own I/O adapters.

The HMC allows you to perform many hardware management tasks for your managed system, including configuring logical partitions. You can choose to operate your managed system as a single server, or you can choose to run multiple partitions.

You can use the following types of partitioning: logical partitioning and the Full System Partition.

Partitioning

Logical partitioning has no limitations to the number of hardware resources that are contained in a partition. A partition could have any number of installed processors assigned to it, limited only by the total number of installed processors. Similarly, a partition could have any amount of memory, limited only by the total amount of memory installed. I/O adapters are physically installed in one of many I/O drawers in the system. However, with logical partitioning, any I/O adapter in any I/O drawer can be assigned to any partition.

Some systems have the ability to create affinity partitions. An affinity partition is a special type of logical partition, in that it has a close physical proximity to each of its resources. Hardware resources for affinity partitioning, with the exception of I/O, are defined by the HMC. When creating an affinity partition, the HMC automatically determines which system resources are to be grouped together and allows you to choose which type of grouping you want. The HMC then creates a profile for each affinity partition and a system profile that contains the affinity partitions for the managed system.

The operating system running in a partition is completely independent of any other operating system running in another partition. Operating system levels in each partition do not need to be the same, nor do the application levels.

By using partitions, for example, a company can test its program on one partition while developing the same program on another, all at the same time, all by using the same system. This "same system" partitioning method is more cost-effective, potentially eliminating the need for a separate test system.

For more information about partitions and their capabilities, see Partitioning.


Service Focal Point

Service representatives use the Service Focal Point application to start and end their service calls and provide them with event and diagnostic information. The HMC can also automatically notify service representatives of hardware failures by using a feature called Service Agent. You can configure the HMC to use Service Agent's call-home feature to send event information to your service representative.

The HMC must have a LAN connection to each partition (including the Full System Partition, if used) to collect partition errors. The HMC must also be connected to a modem and analog telephone line for the automatic notification process to function correctly.

The Service Focal Point application must be configured so that the proper information is sent. Also, whenever you make any changes to a system configuration, follow the guidelines in this book to ensure that changes are compatible with Service Focal Point. For more information about Service Focal Point, see Service Focal Point.


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