The purpose of this blog is to highlight the extra expenses related to putting a used IBM POWER server into production. In my experience, all too often the buyer of used IBM POWER hardware is unfamiliar with the needed steps and related costs to put a used server into production.
Disclaimer: IBM i is an operating system. iSeries and AS400 are names for IBM servers. I use them interchangeably to make it easier to find this information on the web.
An IBM i 8202 user contacted me this week to help with Disaster Recovery planning.
As with all prospective clients planning for Disaster Recovery, I explained options and related costs for recovery within days to less than 15 minutes.
One option this user wanted to explore was buying a used IBM i POWER server to replace his server if his POWER 8202 unexpectedly failed.
On the surface, one may sense that a used replacement server may be less expensive than other options. You only have to buy it when you need it, so no reason to pay for other quicker recovery services, right?
Well, not entirely.
Let me explain.
First, a like server may not be readily available, depending on the combination of memory, disk capacity and required feature cards.
The availability of a like server depends on how readily available the base server is AND the required features to add memory, disk storage and feature cards.
Second, how fast can a provider stage the base server, add the extra capacity and features, test and palletize for transportation this replacement server? Realistically, about 2-3 days. That means you get it in about 3-5 days. Possibly a little longer depending on shipping factors.
Third, if the intent is to put this replacement server into long-term production as a replacement for the failed server there are MORE steps and expenses required.
When you put a replacement system into production you will want to transfer your IBM licensed program products and software providers’ applications to a server with a different serial number from the server that is being replaced.
Failure to take these steps will mean your replacement server will not support your system.
Before these software licenses can be transferred, several tasks need to be completed:
1) The replacement server, serial number and EXACT configuration must be updated in the IBM install database so you can get access to IBM software keys and hardware support. This is a time consuming process fraught with delays. That is what I encounter when we do this, about 2-3 times per year. In every case I explain to my client that this process can take 30-60 days. (I had one in 2018 that ultimately took 7 months to square away!)
2) You must buy software support (SWMA) for the replacement server by serial number to transfer your IBM licensed program products (LPP) AND get appropriate software keys. Otherwise, the IBM LPPs stop after 60 days. For P05 and P10 POWER servers I generally see SWMA in a range of $1500 – $5000.
3) If you install a used POWER server into your enterprise, you will also have to pay to IBM an After license Fee (ALF) in addition to the SWMA. ALF is about the same cost as SWMA, so this means you will have to pay another $1500 – $5000.
4) Let’s stop for a moment to clearly understand that you will likely spend $3000 – $10,000 for SWMA and ALF in ADDITION to the cost of the used server.
5) Most likely you will only have access to currently supported versions of IBM i. At the time of this writing, this means you can get IBM i and LLPs for V7.2 and V7.3. If your current server is back-level you may not be able to transfer your IBM LLPs.
6) You will also need to research what your software providers require when you transfer their software to a server with a different serial number. Be aware that the transfers can range from modest to reasonable to outrageous. (In 2017 one of my clients paid $150,000 to transfer their software…outrageous! You never know what you an “in for.”)
7) Lastly, you may want to have IBM hardware support (HWMA). I most frequently see the annual HWMA server support agreement range from $1200 – $5000; you may unexpectedly learn you also have to pay an extra fee for IBM to assess your server before it goes back on maintenance.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot more extra expenses to put a used server into production to replace a failed server. In addition to the cost of the server, SWMA and ALF will range from $3000 – $10000. If you add HWMA the cost can range from $1500 – $5000 plus a reinstatement fee. Plus the cost of your software provider transfer fees.
Clearly, as you evaluate your DR options you want to do thorough research to understand all of your costs before you make the selection that is right for your circumstances.
Need Help?
Call me at 714-593-0387 or email me at blosey@source-data.com. Let us know how we can help!
To learn more about us, and view our customer testimonials, please visit our website: www.Source-Data.com and see our other links:
1) IBM I on POWER (iSeries/AS400)
https://www.source-data.com/ibm-i-on-power-server/
2) IBM I (iSeries/AS400) Cloud Hosting
https://www.source-data.com/cloud-400/
3) IBM I (iSeries/AS400) Disaster Recovery Options
https://www.source-data.com/cloud400-disaster-recovery/
4) IBM I (iSeries/AS400) Version Upgrade
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