Edit: The HMC has still survived. Some links have not.
Originally posted May 1, 2012 on AIXchange
So the SDMC evolution was upon us. I took my test drive. But then, just like that, it’s over. The HMC has apparently survived.
Nigel Griffiths (mr_nmon) posted these tweets:
- “SDMC withdrawn as IBM listens to customers. SDMC only functions like dual VIOS+AME for Blades go in the next HMC version. Long live the HMC.”
- “I had better add: SDMC owners needing Blade functions it is supported for 2 more yrs & you can convert to HMC (same HW) at your convenience.”
What exactly is going on?
Start with these announcement letters (here and here). IBM is no longer selling SDMC units. The SDMC hardware indicator is going away. The SDMC and SDMC virtual appliances are also going away, although they’ll be supported through April 2015.
IBM has announced this statement of direction:
“IBM intends to enhance its systems management capabilities for Power Systems hardware as follows:
- Continued integration between the base platform management capabilities in HMC and advanced capabilities in IBM Systems Director
- Enhancement of the HMC to add support for Power Systems blades and mixed rack and blade server environments
- New HMC virtual appliance offering
- New process for transitioning from SDMC to HMC
- Improved usability”
I, for one, look forward to running the HMC appliance in smaller environments.
This FAQ includes the following, but read the entire document as I didn’t copy everything:
“Why is this change being made?
“Clients have asked IBM to continue enhancing the HMC, which is a trusted, secure and dedicated management appliance for Power Systems. At the same time, due to the rapid increase in adoption of advanced virtualization and cloud solutions by Power Systems clients, IBM plans to continue enhancing the virtualization management capabilities of the Systems Director management server software.
“What are the options for clients using an SDMC?
“Clients currently using an SDMC for management can either convert it to an HMC (at no charge) immediately, or continue using the SDMC and convert it at a more convenient time in the future. The SDMC will continue to be supported by IBM until April 2015.
“What are the options for clients using Power blades?
“Clients currently using an SDMC for managing Power blades can continue using it or switch to using IVM instead. When the new release of the HMC (featuring blade support) is available, they can then convert the SDMC to an HMC at no charge.
“Are hardware changes required to convert an SDMC to an HMC?
“The SDMC is based on the same hardware as the HMC, and no hardware changes are required to make the conversion. After converting an SDMC to an HMC, clients can benefit from the additional memory and disk capacity.
“Will endpoint management licenses be required for the HMC?
“No.
“What happens to support agreements after clients convert an SDMC into an HMC?
“SDMC clients with current SWMA contracts may contact IBM Support for assistance before, during and after the HMC conversion process. When their SWMA is due for renewal, clients who have converted an SDMC to HMC should renew using the HMC Machine Control Program Remote Support
Agreement (MCRSA).
“How can a client using SDMC to manage Power blades transition to using IVM?
“As an alternative to the SDMC, clients can manage Power blades with the IVM. However, the IVM has limitations (compared to the SDMC and HMC) and cannot support dual VIOS configurations.
This IBM Redpaper covers SDMC-to-HMC migrations.
Basically you prepare for the migration by gathering IP addresses, verifying passwords, backing up profiles and then removing managed systems and frames from the SDMC. You download the HMC code and service packs (or order it on media) and then install the HMC code. I understand IBM will soon come out with video demonstrations of this process.
Keep in mind that none of this affects the FlexSystems Manager that will be used with the newly announced IBM PureFlex systems. I’ll get into that topic soon.
So what are your thoughts about this change? Had you done much with the SDMC, or were you taking a wait and see attitude?