Dear Satid,
Thank you for the response. Yes, I am aware of the IBMi SW licensing for License programs and available subscription plan on purchase of new servers. Plz correct me if wrong - SWMA is needed only if we need extended support for a particular IBMi OS version.
Actually, there was a problem entry logged on the IBMi LPAR with SRCA7004764 mentioning the AIX_EXP. The P10 server hosts both IBMi and AIX LPARs. Thought why IBMi LPAR would log problem entry related to AIX access keys. I went thought this technote - Management of AIX Update Access Keys mentioning it checks the SWMA validity period for AIX updates.
Regards,
Vinit Kumar
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Vinit Kumar
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Original Message:
Sent: Wed August 13, 2025 02:21 AM
From: Satid S
Subject: SWMA validity for Power system hosting IBM i OS
Dear Vinit
>>>> How about P10 servers hosting only IBM i OS LPARs (without VIOS or with VIOS), do we have any access key functionality which validates the SWMA for IBM i LPARs? <<<<
NO. In IBM i, we use what is called License Key (there is no Access Key in IBM i world) for IBM i SW licensing matter, but not IBM i SWMA (that requires NO key whatsoever) which is a different matter from IBM i SW Licensing. And as of some 3 years ago, we no longer have IBM i SWMA for new servers as it has become part of what is now called IBM i Subsciption Plan.
Are you aware that there is a thing called Update Access Key for IBM Power Systems (introduced in POWER8 time - it has nothing to do with OS running in Power server) that is about server HW entitlement and system firmware update eligibility. Is your question actually about this Update Access Key? If so, there are several ways you can use to handle Power Systems Update Access Key as explained in the attached article I provide herewith.
Also more info on Update Access Key in this IBM Technote: Management of POWER8 and Later Update Access Keys at https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/management-power8-and-later-update-access-keys.
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Satid S
Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 12, 2025 02:03 AM
From: Vinit Kumar
Subject: SWMA validity for Power system hosting IBM i OS
I have one query related to SWMA validity check through AIX access key. From P10 onwards SWMA validity for AIX OS can be done through AIX access key. Yesterday, I noticed on P10 server hosting both AIX and IBM i LPARs, AIX access key got expired and IBMi LPAR did report problem entry for this.
How about P10 servers hosting only IBM i OS LPARs (without VIOS or with VIOS), do we have any access key functionality which validates the SWMA for IBM i LPARs?
Regards,
Vinit Kumar
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Vinit Kumar
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