The Hardware Management Console (HMC) is simply a desktop or rack-mounted computer, very similar to the kind that most of us use every day. What makes an HMC different from other personal computers is that the HMC is connected to other computer systems.

You use the HMC to manage the configuration and operation of partitions in a system, add and remove hardware without interrupting system operation, and control Capacity on Demand resources. One HMC is capable of controlling multiple servers. The systems that are monitored by the HMC are called managed systems.

The HMC provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for configuring and operating single or multiple managed systems. There is also a command line interface (CLI).

The HMC may connect locally to the systems it manages via a private network or connect remotely via an open network. Using the Web-based System Manager Remote Client, you may connect to the HMC from your PC.

In this course, we are concerned with the HMC as it relates to the IBM POWER5 or IBM POWER6 servers. Specifically, this course contains information about the 7042-CR4 and 7042-CR5 rack-mounted model HMCs and the 7042-C06 and the 7042-C07 deskside model HMCs.

The IBM Power Systems 7042 Hardware Management Consoles are adapted from IBM System x products. The equivalency between the Power Systems HMC machine type/models (MTMs) and the corresponding System x products is shown in the table below: