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Dell has elected not to renew a licensing agreement to attach Dell storage to the IBM i platform.

  • 1.  Dell has elected not to renew a licensing agreement to attach Dell storage to the IBM i platform.

    Posted Thu October 24, 2024 10:51 AM

    Hi everyone,

    I wonder if the broader audience that uses Dell/EMC storage arrays with IBMi, has seen this announcement already - IBM.i.Dell.Storage.Attach.Client.Notice.pdf ?

    It seems that any release after V7R5 will require a key from IBM in order to use the D910 storage emulation and that  there will be no enhancements or regression testing from IBM using the D910 emulation for IBMi.

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    October 18, 2024
    Latest revision October 23, 2024: clarifications in blue text.
    This notice has an important update regarding IBM i and Dell storage attachments which is 
    effective on November 1, 2024. 
    Overview
    Dell has elected not to renew a licensing agreement to attach Dell storage to the IBM i 
    platform. 
    Effective November 1, 2024
    • Support Calls: IBM i clients should call Dell for all issues involving Dell storage 
    attached with the IBM i D910 device driver.
    • IBM i D910 Device Driver: the existing IBM i D910 device driver will not be 
    enhanced going forward.
    Planning
    • For the release after IBM i 7.5: 
    o IBM i clients who have existing Dell storage devices on or before November 1, 
    2024 will be entitled to obtain a key from IBM to enable attachment with the IBM i 
    D910 device driver. This key will allow the existing device driver to attach Dell 
    storage, but it will not include new enhancements. This key will allow current IBM 
    i Storage or I/O to attach to current Dell storage using the device driver. As stated 
    above, the existing IBM i D910 device driver will not be enhanced.There will be 
    no guarantee that common IBM i storage or I/O path code will continue to work
    with Dell storage devices in the future. Dell will be responsible for any required 
    changes if IBM i storage or I/O evolves in a way that becomes incompatible with 
    Dell storage devices. Only customers who have used the IBM i D910 device 
    driver for connecting Dell storage devices to IBM i by November 1 will be entitled 
    to receive the key; this entitlement applies regardless of future expansion or 
    upgrading of Dell storage devices. Information regarding how to acquire the key
    from IBM will be available upon announcement of the release after IBM i 7.5. 
    o IBM i clients purchasing Dell storage for the first time after November 1, 2024
    that requires the IBM i D910 device driver for attachment will not be entitled to 
    the storage attachment key. 
    Option
    ®
    Existing or new Dell storage can be attached to IBM i via an IBM Storage SVC (SAN 
    Volume Controller)

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    Tsvetan



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    Tsvetan Marinov
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