How to Find the HMC Model Number and Hardware Serial Number

How to Find the HMC Model Number and Hardware Serial Number

In the world of IBM systems, particularly when dealing with IBM Hardware Management Consoles (HMC), two pieces of information—HMC Model Number and Hardware Serial Number—are essential for managing your system, troubleshooting, and ensuring you have the right parts or support. But how do you locate these numbers?

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you find the HMC Model Number and Hardware Serial Number.

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What Is an HMC?

The Hardware Management Console (HMC) is a critical component in managing IBM Power Systems and IBM System i environments. It acts as a central point for monitoring, configuring, and managing the hardware components, system resources, and virtual machines.

HMC Model Number is a unique identifier for the specific version or configuration of the HMC device, while the Hardware Serial Number refers to the unique serial number assigned to the physical machine. These numbers are crucial for maintenance, troubleshooting, and support.

 

How to Find the HMC Model Number

1. From the HMC Web Interface

If you have access to the HMC Web Interface, you can find the model number with the following steps:

1. Login to the HMC Interface:

   • Open a web browser and navigate to the HMC login page.
   • Enter your credentials (username and password) to access the interface.

2. Navigate to the "System Information" Tab:

   • After logging in, click on the System Information or HMC Information tab, typically found in the menu options.

3. Check the HMC Model:

   • The HMC model number should be displayed in the system summary section. It’s often listed as something like "HMC Model: 7042-CR3" or similar, where "7042" is the model series, and "CR3" might represent the specific version or configuration.

2. Using the Command Line

If you're comfortable with the command line interface, you can also find the HMC model by running a simple command:

1. Access the HMC Console:

   • Log in to the HMC via SSH or through the local console.

2. Run the Command:

   • Use the command lshmc -v to list HMC information.
   • The output should display the model number among other details.

3. HMC Physical Label

In some cases, the HMC model number is directly printed on a physical label located on the back or side of the HMC unit. This is useful if you don’t have access to the HMC interface and need to check the model offline.

 

How to Find the Hardware Serial Number

The Hardware Serial Number is crucial for IBM support, as it uniquely identifies the physical HMC unit. Here's how to find it:

1. From the HMC Web Interface

Similar to the model number, you can find the Hardware Serial Number through the HMC Web Interface.

1. Login to the HMC Interface:

   • Open a browser and log into your HMC system.

2. Navigate to the "System Information" Section:

   • Under the System Information or HMC Information tab, look for the section that displays the hardware details.

3. Locate the Hardware Serial Number:

   • The serial number will typically be listed as "Serial Number" or "Hardware Serial Number." It will look like "12345ABC6789."

2. Using the Command Line

The hardware serial number is also available through the command line interface.

1. Access the HMC Console:

   • Log into the HMC console via SSH or directly on the machine.

2. Run the Command:

   • Use the lshmc -v command. The output will return the hardware serial number of your HMC unit.

3. HMC Physical Label

Much like the model number, the serial number is usually located on a physical label on the HMC device itself. This label is typically placed on the back, bottom, or side of the HMC unit and can be easily found.

 

Why Do You Need the HMC Model Number and Hardware Serial Number?

The HMC Model Number and Hardware Serial Number are essential for several reasons:

• IBM Support: When contacting IBM support, the serial number helps identify the exact model of your HMC and the warranty or maintenance contract it is tied to.
• Maintenance and Upgrades: The model number determines which upgrades or software versions are compatible with your system.
• Tracking and Inventory Management: For large environments, tracking hardware by its serial number ensures better inventory management and lifecycle tracking.

 

Example

hscroot@myhmc:~> lshmc -v
"vpd=*FC ????????
*VC 20.0
*N2 Thu Mar 13 10:46:20 UTC 2019
*FC ????????
*DS Hardware Management Console
*TM Va67-f51
*SE 5b14253
*MN IBM
*PN N/A
*SZ 16794648576
*OS Embedded Operating Systems
*NA 10.ip.1.ip
*FC ????????
*DS Platform Firmware
*RM V11R1.1110.0
*UVMID a67f:515b:19d7:4253
"
hscroot@myhmc:~> 

*TM is model number
*SE is hardware serial number

 

 

How to Find the CEC / System Model Number

hscroot@myhmc:~> lssyscfg -r sys -Fname:type_model:serial_num
system1:9105-42A:13E0B00
system2:9105-42A:13031E1
system3:9040-MR9:133C20X
system4:9009-41A:13F50DW
hscroot@myhmc:~>

Second & third column are Model & Serial Number

 

 

Conclusion

Finding the HMC Model Number and Hardware Serial Number is a straightforward process. Whether through the web interface, command line, or physical label, these numbers are easy to locate and incredibly important for your system’s management, support, and maintenance.

Always keep track of these numbers, as they’re vital for managing your hardware environment efficiently. If you have trouble locating them or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to IBM support for guidance.