Choosing the Right IBM HMC Software Version for Your POWER Hardware
The IBM Hardware Management Console is used for, as the name implies, managing the hardware of IBM systems, including IBM AS/400, IBM System p, IBM System z, and IBM Power Systems. As this is the AIX Museum, we are primarily focused on the … Continue reading
IBM System x3550 M4 CPU Upgrade – Again!
Back in mid 2019, I picked up an IBM x3550 M4 7914 to use as a VMware host in my home lab. While it didn’t technically have the ‘worst’ Sandy Bridge based CPU ever made (which the E5-2603 v1 SR0LB … Continue reading
Sun Blade 150 Firmware Update
As part of my adventure in fixing the Sun Blade 150’s NVRAM battery failure, I also updated the system firmware to v4.17.1. The update wasn’t strictly necessary, as it didn’t address any immediate issues I had, and it certainly didn’t … Continue reading
IBM DS3512 Drive Firmware Updates
Recently the museum was able to pick up a few new goodies for the DS3512 storage array, two EXP3512 (1746-E2A) expansion shelves, and 12x 3TB 81Y9878 disks. The disks were purchased separate from the expansion shelves – clearly a vendor … Continue reading
Quieting an Avocent MPU108e KVM
I recently moved to a new home, and my home lab situation has changed dramatically. No longer does the ‘work from home’ office and the home lab share the same space, and where previously both were in the basement, now … Continue reading
Resetting a Used IBM DS3400 Storage Array
Introduction I recently picked up a used IBM TotalStorage DS3400 storage array. The 3400 was part of the IBM TotalStorage DS3000 series of entry level storage systems, of which there were three models in total – the 3200 which was … Continue reading
Upgrading the CPUs in an IBM System x3550 M4
Back in 2019, I needed a VMware host to replace my ancient HP Proliant ML350 G5. Something relatively modern, with room to expand. I also wanted something rack mount, as opposed to the ML350 tower format. After watching a few … Continue reading
240V For the Home Lab
Author’s Note – let me begin this article by saying that I am not an electrician. I’m not an expert. I don’t recommend that anyone take what I have said here as instruction, advice, recommendation, or even truth. This is … Continue reading