IBM i Hosting Providers Need A Completely Different Skill Set And Expertise Than Other Platform Hosting Providers.

Here’s how to find if your IBM i Hosting Provider can do the job.

Here are several questions to quiz your prospective IBM i hosting provider.

1. How much of your hosting provider’s business is IBM i focused?
2. How many IBM i clients does your hosting provider have?
3. How many IBM i hosting clients can your hosting provider reference?
4. What SWMA options does your IBM i hosting provider offer?
5. Does your hosting provider’s POWER hosting platform use internal disk units or an external SAN?

Clients that have transaction intensive applications have found SAN storage can delay their processing and insist on internal disk storage for best performance. What is your situation and how does the provider accommodate your needs?

Ask questions about their IBM i technical background.

1. How many IBM i engineers are on your hosting provider’s staff?
2. How long have the IBM i engineers been employed?
3. What are the IBM i engineers’ backgrounds?
4. How many IBM i certifications do they hold? (*Our IBM Certifications)

Have your prospective IBM i Hosting Provider describe how they set up your hosting environment.

1. What is involved with a version upgrade, particularly if you are coming from a legacy server (i.e. 9406-520, 9406-525, 9406-800, 9406-810, or older server) with older tape drives (QIC, 8mm, or LTO-1/2) and you want to move to V7R1, V7R2, or V7R3.

Generally with older releases there is an interim step where your system must be restored to an older system and upgraded to higher OS level before your system can be loaded to a new POWER7/8 at V7R1, V7R2 or V7R3.

2. Describe the process to load and setup an IBM i LPAR.

Generally, the creation of the LPAR is straight-forward. Listen for how they help you load your system if your Save21 is missing objects or you need more current PTFs to complete the setup.

3. Describe the stops to remotely capture a Save 21 backup. (Only an IBM i expert can answer this question accurately.)

4. Describe the process to setup a firewall and when to use a dedicated vs a private firewall.

Networking is an essential step for successful hosting. Listen how the hosting network engineer will accommodate your IP address range and security.

5. Describe the steps to handle and load HIPAA or encrypted backup tapes.

Listen to the experience the provider has had dealing with sensitive data and encrypted tapes.

6. Explain what is involved for a FREE, no obligation testing or proof of concept.

Does the provider offer a no-cost proof of concept so they can prove their IBM i and networking capabilities to you at no financial risk?