My learning goals for 2026 is to learn to apply HMC and Firmware updates through CL and and to also automate daily IBM I tasks through SQL and CLLE programs. I am utilizing Run SQL Scripts on Access Client Solutions and the explain feature to better understand the SQL I am writing. For HMC and Firmware I am utilizing IBM Documentation to better understand the process. I am setting aside 2 hours a week to focus on these processes. If I have additional time I would like to learn further on IBM I and restricting user access to libraries and programs through user groups and authority.

Those are great goals Anna! I would love to hear your findings on using HMC and Firmware updates with CL - I think that is something a lot of people on the platform would love to know more on.

My learning goals for 2026 is to learn to apply HMC and Firmware updates through CL and and to also automate daily IBM I tasks through SQL and CLLE programs. I am utilizing Run SQL Scripts on Access Client Solutions and the explain feature to better understand the SQL I am writing. For HMC and Firmware I am utilizing IBM Documentation to better understand the process. I am setting aside 2 hours a week to focus on these processes. If I have additional time I would like to learn further on IBM I and restricting user access to libraries and programs through user groups and authority.

I would love to share my findings! I have been utilizing the following 3 IBM documents to learn both topics:

HMC CL Updates: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/how-install-hmc-updates-using-scp

HMC CL (Network) Upgrade to Version 11: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/vhmc-x86-upgrading-hmc-version-v10r2m1030-v11r1m1110

IBM Firmware update/upgrade from HMC CL & GUI: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/how-update-or-upgrade-power-servers-firmware-code-hmc-command-line-cli

I think the biggest challenge for me so far coming from an IBM I background is the that the CL is case sensitive which we don't see when utilizing the IBM I CL. Take the lshmc -V command for example. Both lshmc -V and lshmc -v are valid commands but each one will give you a different output. This challenges you to pay close attention to the commands you are utilizing and making sure you double check the command prior to running it. 

I will say I now prefer to utilize the CL when performing HMC and Firmware updates as it gives more detail into the process than when utilizing the GUI. Especially with firmware as you can see every detail of the process including what inside the server it is updating/rebooting. We don't see these items or level of detail when performing the updates/upgrades from the HMC GUI. It has also given me a better understanding of what is happening inside the system when performing these updates instead of just an update/upgrade. 

I also love how with firmware with the CL you can check with the lslic -m <MT-M*S> -r ibmwebsite -l update command to see if the update will be concurrent prior to performing it. You also get a full list of the available levels for the system which is amazing and very helpful. This level of detail is awesome and something you are missing out on if you are utilizing the GUI for updates.

Those are great goals Anna! I would love to hear your findings on using HMC and Firmware updates with CL - I think that is something a lot of people on the platform would love to know more on.

My learning goals for 2026 is to learn to apply HMC and Firmware updates through CL and and to also automate daily IBM I tasks through SQL and CLLE programs. I am utilizing Run SQL Scripts on Access Client Solutions and the explain feature to better understand the SQL I am writing. For HMC and Firmware I am utilizing IBM Documentation to better understand the process. I am setting aside 2 hours a week to focus on these processes. If I have additional time I would like to learn further on IBM I and restricting user access to libraries and programs through user groups and authority.