IBM i Hardware FAQ

Will a new server actually fit in our existing rack?

Not always. Power server depth and weight requirements vary by generation, and older racks sized for previous hardware generations do not always accommodate current models cleanly...

What AS400 power requirements should we check before a hardware refresh?

Check the exact machine type, power supply configuration, rack depth, PDU capacity, UPS runtime, cooling capacity, and service clearance for the final configuration, not a generic...

Who should sign off AS400 facilities readiness before a cutover?

The people who own the room and workload should sign off before the cutover.

How much UPS runtime do we actually need for our server room?

Enough to complete a safe, orderly shutdown or failover, which is usually more than the few minutes needed to just ride out a momentary power blip. The right number depends on the...

When does AS400 hosting make more sense than another on-premises server?

AS400 hosting makes more sense when the business wants the IBM i workload to keep running but no longer wants to own the next hardware refresh, server room upgrade, backup...

What drives AS400 cloud hosting cost?

The main cost drivers are dedicated versus shared capacity, active cores, memory, storage, backup retention, replication, disaster recovery targets, network connectivity, managed...

Do we need a physical HMC or is virtual HMC enough?

Virtual HMC works well for most shops and avoids dedicated appliance hardware cost. A physical HMC appliance still makes sense for environments that want a management console...

How much does AS/400 or IBM Power hardware actually cost?

It depends heavily on whether the buyer is looking at new, refurbished, or upgraded existing hardware. An entry Power server typically starts in the high four figures to low five...

Should we buy a new Power server or a refurbished one?

The honest answer depends on remaining IBM support runway, budget, and how critical the workload is. New hardware carries the longest support and warranty window but at the highest...

How do we size the right Power server for our workload?

Start with current CPW utilization, memory headroom, and partition count on the existing server rather than shopping by model number. A hardware partner can translate that data...

Does adopting AI on IBM Power require replacing IBM i or our ERP?

No. PowerVS extends the Power servers you already run into IBM Cloud without changing the operating system, the Db2 for i database, or the RPG and COBOL applications running on it....

What is PowerVS, and how is it different from migrating off Power entirely?

PowerVS is IBM Power infrastructure hosted in IBM Cloud, running the same IBM i, AIX, or Linux on Power operating environments and the same Db2 for i engine as an on-premises...

Is IBM Power 9 end of life?

Power9 has passed two separate IBM lifecycle milestones, not one. IBM withdrew Power9 from marketing on October 20, 2023, meaning it can no longer be purchased new. Its End of...

What is the upgrade path from Power 9 to Power 10 or Power 11?

Most shops move from Power9 directly to Power10 or Power11 rather than upgrading generation by generation, since IBM i, RPG, COBOL, and Db2 for i all carry forward across Power...

What is the difference between IBM P Series and iSeries hardware?

P Series language usually points to AIX or Unix workloads, while iSeries language usually points to IBM i and AS/400 workloads. Modern IBM Power hardware can be relevant to both,...

When should an IBM i buyer choose Power 11 instead of Power 10?

Choose Power 11 when the project is strategic, the workload needs the longest runway, or the business is already spending enough on migration that it should avoid shortening the...

What data should we gather before sizing an IBM Power server?

Gather the evidence that describes workload behavior, not only the current machine label.

How do AIX and IBM i partitions share IBM Power hardware?

AIX and IBM i can run in separate logical partitions on IBM Power hardware when the shared design is planned correctly.

Does watsonx require moving our Db2 for i data before it can be used?

No. watsonx connects to Db2 for i and other operational data sources through APIs, database connectors, and event streams, reading and enriching the data where it already lives...

Can we get third-party maintenance for Power 9 after IBM support ends?

Yes. Third-party maintenance (TPM) providers take over break-fix service and parts sourcing for hardware IBM no longer services directly through standard support. A TPM contract...

Is activating existing Capacity on Demand cheaper than a new server?

Often yes, if the current server has dormant processor or memory capacity available. Activation avoids the cost and downtime of a hardware swap and can be one of the fastest ways...

What should be included in AS400 hardware maintenance?

A useful AS400 hardware maintenance plan should name the covered machine type and serial number, covered components, response time, parts and labor terms, escalation path,...

How do we validate IBM feature codes before approving a quote?

Compare every feature code in the quote against the hardware and support requirements.

What SLA terms matter most in IBM Power maintenance?

The important SLA terms are the terms that decide what happens during a failure.

Should we upgrade storage on our current server or replace the whole system?

If the server's processor and memory still have headroom and the bottleneck is genuinely storage-related, expanding DASD or adding SAN attachment is usually the faster and cheaper...

What is an IBM FlashCore Module and how is it different from a standard NVMe drive?

An IBM FlashCore Module (FCM) is a purpose-built NVMe drive used in IBM FlashSystem and Storage Virtualize based storage arrays. Unlike a generic commodity NVMe SSD, a FlashCore...

How do I identify which FlashCore Module part number and feature code I need?

Start with two facts: the FlashCore Module generation already installed or required (FCM1, FCM2, FCM3, or FCM4) and the usable capacity needed (4.8 TB, 9.6 TB, 19.2 TB, or 38.4...

Can an IBM i or AS/400 partition use IBM FlashSystem storage?

Yes. An IBM i partition connects to a FlashSystem array through the same external SAN attachment path used for other external storage, provided the Power server has supported host...

Is internal DASD expansion or external SAN attachment the better choice?

Internal DASD expansion is usually simpler and cheaper if the goal is just more disk pool capacity on one server. External SAN attachment makes more sense when a business wants to...

Should we replace our tape drive with a virtual tape library?

If the save window is straining against current physical tape throughput but the underlying save scripts still work well, a virtual tape library often solves that problem without a...

How many tape slots do we actually need in an autoloader?

Size against retention policy, not just current daily tape count. A weekly rotation with several weeks of retention needs meaningfully more slots than a simple daily overwrite...

Should we replace twinax terminals with IP-attached hardware?

If existing twinax cabling and controllers are stable and replacement units are still available, staying on twinax with ruggedized replacement terminals is often the simpler and...

Do we need ruggedized terminals for a warehouse or plant floor?

If the floor has dust, temperature swings, or rough daily handling, standard office-grade terminal hardware will fail faster than its rated service life suggests. Ruggedized units...

How long does IBM support older AS/400 and Power hardware?

Support windows vary by generation, but IBM's standard hardware support typically runs several years past a model's initial release before moving to limited or end-of-service...

What does certified refurbished actually mean for AS/400 hardware?

The term is not standardized, so it means whatever the specific seller defines it to mean. At minimum, buyers should expect some documented testing before sale, but the depth of...

Is it safe to buy a refurbished Power 9 server?

It can be, but the safety comes from the seller's process, not from Power9 itself. Ask for a documented test report covering burn-in and diagnostic testing, confirm the exact...

How do we evaluate whether a refurbished hardware seller is trustworthy?

Ask for their testing process in writing, request references from prior IBM i buyers if possible, and compare warranty terms across more than one seller before committing. A seller...