I suspect most of us here will agree.
Since you always build a new vios when you install a new system, I can't think of a single reason why you wouldn't build it with the latest recommended vios version.
I know some companies prefer a conservative n-2 version for anything they install, but even with that, you'd be looking at version 4.
So, maybe not 100% required, but you'd have to give me really good odds to bet against.
My take on version 4 now is that it would be my first choice on any new install that supports it, and I would be strongly considering upgrading existing version 3 installs that are not on a path to replacement by 2026.
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Vincent Greene
IT Consultant
Technology Expert labs
IBM
Vincent.Greene@ibm.comThe postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.
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Original Message:
Sent: Wed February 12, 2025 07:22 AM
From: Robert Berendt
Subject: End of normal support for VIOS 3.1.4 is 2026-04-30
I agree with you.
But someone, somewhere, is now saying "Mmm, maybe I should just wait until 5?".
"Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow."
French, on the eve of WWII: "let's not rush that antitank weapon into mass production, we've got this new design we're just about ready on".
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Robert Berendt IBMChampion
Business Systems Analyst, Lead
Dekko
Fort Wayne
Original Message:
Sent: Wed February 12, 2025 05:20 AM
From: Phill Rowbottom
Subject: End of normal support for VIOS 3.1.4 is 2026-04-30
You really need to be on PowerVC 4 (VIOS 4.x) to take full advantage of the features of Power10. VIOS 3.x runs in Power9 compatibility mode, not Power10 mode. Thus needing 4.x on Power11 wouldn't surprise me at all! VIOS 4.x is AIX 7.3 under the covers, 3.x is AIX 7.2 which only runs in up to Power9 mode.
Maybe there will be a 5.x based on AIX Next? We'll see when the details come out as to what software levels are required for full exploitation of new Power11 Hardware.
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Phill Rowbottom
Unix Consultant
Service Express
Bedford
Original Message:
Sent: Tue February 11, 2025 09:02 AM
From: Robert Berendt
Subject: End of normal support for VIOS 3.1.4 is 2026-04-30
End of normal support for VIOS 3.1.4 is 2026-04-30
IBM Software Support Services - Service Extension for IBM PowerVM VIOS 3.1.4
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/powervm-314-service-extension
I guess the following is no longer an "estimate".
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/715887?mhsrc=ibmsearch_a&mhq=vios%20lifecycle
Took some serious twisting of my decoder ring to find the right search at
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/lifecycle/search?q=PowerVM
So, what are the odds that Power 11 will require PowerVM 4? 100%? Might as well get used to it now?
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Robert Berendt IBMChampion
Business Systems Analyst, Lead
Dekko
Fort Wayne
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