Another consideration for both hardware and software end of service/service extensions is the longer you wait to upgrade to new hardware/software, the more likely you are to face a more difficult migration.
We all know n-2 is standard for IBM i Operating system upgrades, and there are always hardware limitations for minimum and maximum OS versions supported. If you wait too long, you might end up in that situation where you have to do upgrades in steps for both hardware and software. Full restore from tape? Is the tape media even compatible?
The same is true of external storage solutions. The longer you wait to upgrade, the fewer migration options you have. All of the good options: volume mirroring, remote copy, etc. have minimum and maximum software and hardware version compatibility, and even O/S level copying depends on the ability to connect both old and new storage to your O/S.
Beware the slippery slope. The further you slide down it, the harder it is to climb back up.
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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: Tue February 04, 2025 12:34 PM
From: Sudhir BISHT
Subject: "Pretty" announcement for End Of Support for Power 9.
Totally agree.
Hardware Service Extension - Like we still have fully supported by IBM a Flash System A9000R, which as per the IBM website is EoSL in 2023 end.
New CVEs about security vulnerability - We use HSM version X, that has some vulnerability as flagged by our Security Team, but IBM clearly informed us 'no more new versions'. Live with it.
Thanks.
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Bhuppi
Original Message:
Sent: Tue February 04, 2025 12:23 PM
From: Robert Berendt
Subject: "Pretty" announcement for End Of Support for Power 9.
Many people are under the belief that EOS is simply a scare tactic to get customers to buy new hardware.
IBM does offer a "Hardware Service Extension". It is not simply the same as regular service with a higher price charge. Many people will interpret Hardware Service Extension to mean whatever they want it to mean.
But what is in the small print?
1 - Service is based on parts availability. Oh, you lost hard drive model xyz? Sorry, we no longer have that in stock.
2 - New CVEs about security vulnerability will not be addressed. Normally these are fixed with Firmware updates. While one might think they'd all be discovered by now (again thinking it means whatever they want it to mean) there has been recent updates in the firmware for just such things.
3 - Service is based on availability of skilled resources. Sorry, we no longer have anyone in your branch trained on that old model, but thanks for the maintenance check anyway.
4 - New issues are not covered. For example, some hardware in the industry goes totally berserk after x hundred hours of runtime unless you put on a certain patch. If they discover something like this, you're on your own. Such runtime issues are really out there and I'm not talking about some hidden gotcha feature some people put out there to ensure you're paying maintenance.
You can see some of this at: https://www.itjungle.com/2025/01/27/a-year-from-now-most-power9-systems-bite-the-rust/
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Robert Berendt IBMChampion
Business Systems Analyst, Lead
Dekko
Fort Wayne
Original Message:
Sent: Tue January 28, 2025 09:13 AM
From: Robert Berendt
Subject: "Pretty" announcement for End Of Support for Power 9.
Although it was out there, if you knew where to look, IBM just published the traditional EOS for Power 9 products.
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/services-withdrawal-discontinuance-service-select-power-systems-products-replacements-available
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Robert Berendt IBMChampion
Business Systems Analyst, Lead
Dekko
Fort Wayne
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