IBM System z Hardware Management Console (HMC) Operations Schulung

This course includes six units of lecture topics and 15 hands-on labs.

Discussion sessions are followed by supporting labs.

IBM mainframe server hardware: Overview

The purpose of this unit is to provide an overview of the various IBM mainframe servers; the features and functions of the zEnterprise 196, 114, System z10 and System z9 as compared with previous IBM models. The Hardware Management Console and its remote connectivity options are introduced. Server activation process, LPAR mode, and the various server channels and their usage are also discussed in this unit.

Using the HMC classic style user interface

The purpose of this unit is to provide familiarization with the HMC using the classic style UI. The classic style UI will be used to identify various navigational methods, show how to use the online books to explain the use of system and user-defined groups and various task lists, and explain the importance of the information provided on the details panels.

Using the HMC tree style user interface

The purpose of this unit is to provide familiarization with the HMC using the tree style UI. The tree style UI will be used to identify navigation, explain how to use the additional reference material, such as online books, to explain the use of system and user-defined custom groups, various task lists, and explain the importance of the information provided on the details panels.

Using the HMC to monitor System z servers

This unit describes how the HMC can be used to monitor for unacceptable status conditions hardware messages, and operating system messages from any CPC defined to this HMC. How to use the HMC to perform security-related tasks with access administrator authority will also be described.

Activation profiles and operational tasks

This unit describes the different types of activation profiles and how they are built using the HMC version 2.n.n. How to use the Activate task to execute previously built profiles and the use of other operational tasks, such as System Reset, Load, System Activity Display, and others are also described.

Single object operation: CPC session

The purpose of this unit is to provide a brief introduction to the functions provided through single object operation (CPC session). The primary use of a CPC session is to provide problem determination data and perform some advanced recovery tasks.

Twelve hands-on labs to reinforce discussion topic

The purpose of the labs are to provide hands-on experience with the Hardware Management Console. They include web browser setup, creating and using HMC grouping functions, and use of various navigation technics to perform tasks and resolve problems. Students review actual activation profiles, create and debug new activation profiles, and resolve operational problems that the instructor will introduce into the operating environment.

Three optional hands-on labs provided

The purpose of these labs is to challenge the student’s skills and experience by using the reset, load. single object operational and other tasks, creating and activating System Activity profile displays (SAD), and activating and deactivating running and non-running systems.

Seminar-Ziele:

• Identify the zEnterprise 196 and 114, System z10, System z9, and zSeries servers
• Describe the major differences of the function and features between the System z servers
• Describe and explain the concept of logical partitioning
• Identify how various resources are assigned to LPARs during initialization
• Describe the functions provided by the HMC and SE
  • User interface styles, local and remote connectivity

• Identify HMC home page to log on HMC application
• Use the classic UI to:
  • Log on and log off
  • Open objects
  • Navigate the HMC workplace using various selection techniques
  • Exit a task on a window
  • View the online books and use the Help functions
  • Identify the different types of groups

• CPC group, control hardware
• Images group, control operating system
  • Build new CPC and images groups
  • Identify the contents of the Details window and determine object status
  • Identify the various task lists

• Use the tree UI to:
  • Log on and log off
  • Open objects
  • Navigate the HMC workplace using various selection techniques
  • Exit a task on a panel
  • View the online books and use the Help functions
  • Identify the different types of groups

• CPC group, control hardware
• Images group, control operating system
  • Build new CPC and images groups
  • Identify the contents of the Details window and determine object status
  • Identify the various task lists

• Describe how exceptions are reported and presented on the HMC using the tree or classic UI
• Use the HMC to determine the type and cause of the exception
• Describe the three types of hardware messages that can surface on the HMC
• Use the HMC to determine the cause of the hardware message
• Retrieve the hardware messages from the log
• Use the HMC Operating System Messages task to display and send messages to the operating system
• Describe the functions that require the use of the access administrator ID
• Use the HMC to perform access administrator related tasks
• Describe the purpose, functions, and use of the different types of activation profiles
  • Reset profile
  • Image profile
  • Group profile
  • Load profile

• Use the HMC to build new profiles, modify, view, or delete existing ones
• Use the HMC to determine or change profile assignments Provide operationa recommendations for HMC user settings
• Use the HMC to perform
  • A manual load operation
  • A system reset
  • Problem determination for a load failure

• Invoke the system activity display and describe its purpose
• Establish an HMC/SE session using the Single Object Operations task
• Identify the difference between the HMC and SE workplace
• Navigate using classic or tree UI to Identify CP, channel, and CHPID status for the physical CPC and all LPs
• Identify the entry point for I/O and Channel Problem Determination panels
• Log off from a CPC session