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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