The IBM® Hardware Management Console (HMC) provides systems administrators a tool for planning, deploying, and managing IBM Power Systems™ servers. This IBM Redbooks® publication is an extension of IBM Power Systems HMC Implementation and Usage Guide, SG24-7491. It explains the new features of IBM Power Systems Hardware Management Console Version V8.8.1.0.

The major function that the HMC provides are Power Systems server hardware management and virtualization (partition) management. You can find information about virtualization management in the following documents:

• IBM PowerVM Virtualization Managing and Monitoring, SG24-7590
• IBM PowerVM Virtualization Introduction and Configuration, SG24-7940
• IBM PowerVM Enhancements What is New in 2013, SG24-8198
• IBM Power Systems SR-IOV: Technical Overview and Introduction, REDP-5065

The following new features of HMC V8.8.1.0 are described:

• HMC V8.8.1.0 enhancements
• System and Partition Templates
• HMC and IBM PowerVM® Simplification Enhancements
• Manage Partition Enhancement
• Performance and Capacity Monitoring
• HMC V8.8.1.0 upgrade changes

Chapter 1. Hardware Management Console V8.8.1.0 new features

Chapter 2. Hardware Management Console V8.8.1.0 upgrade

Chapter 3. Hardware Management Console and PowerVM: New simplification enhancements

Chapter 4. System and partition templates

Chapter 5. Managing partition enhancements

Chapter 6. Performance and Capacity Monitor