Frequently asked questions about IBM i on IBM Power Systems Virtual Server
This appendix provides answers to the most commonly asked questions about IBM i on IBM Power Systems Virtual Server on IBM Cloud.
This appendix includes the following topics:
FAQs about IBM i on IBM Power Systems Virtual Server
In this section, we answer the most commonly asked questions about IBM i on PowerVS.
Miscellaneous FAQs about IBM i on PowerVS
1. Estimating the amount of IBM Cloud Object Storage that is needed for IBM BRMS backups on IBM i PowerVS, what compression ratio can be expected?
There is almost no compression by default. It can be enabled compression on the IBM i side, and it compresses the data by about a third, but it will negatively affect performance of backups.
However, if IBM Cloud Object Storage performs compression, that process is separate from anything IBM i, IBM Cloud Storage, or IBM BRMS controls.
As an estimate, if you are saving 2 TB, you need 2 TB of IBM Cloud Object Storage space.
2. Does IBM i 7.1 support on top of S922?
IBM 7.1 is supported on-premises or off-premises (PowerVS) on the S922 or E980 under VIOS. Recall that IBM i on the S922S922 is limited to four core maximum size partitions.
3. In which data centers can it be IBM i release 7.1?
Currently, DAL12 and FRA04. FRA05 is next, followed by TOK04. But, there exists a chargeable Service Extension charge on IBM i 7.2 as is today on 7.1.
IBM i 7.1 is not available everywhere because the firmware 950 is the minimum that is required on S922 and E980. For more information, see this web page.
4. Is IBM i 7.1 eligible for Power Virtual Server's Movable IBM i (also referred to as MOL or IBM i mobility licensing)?
Yes. For Movable IBM i, refer to the Seismic materials, including the validation and approval process that are available at this web page.
5. What is the price for IBM i 7.1 in Power Virtual Server?
For IBM i 7.1, a Service Extension price is automatically added to the IBM i price. Use the latest version of the pricing estimator.
Is the price for Service Extension built into the IBM i price in the Price Estimator V9i?
On the Multiple LPAR Price Estimate tab of Price Estimator V9i, select Yes for IBM i Service Extension for IBM i 7.1. (Refer to the figures in the instructions on chart 5.) Also, select Yes for IBM i Service Extension when estimating the pricing for IBM i 7.2 for customers who run IBM i 7.2 after 1 May 2021 when Service Extension starts for 7.2.
6. What is the duration of Service Extension for IBM i 7.1 in Power Virtual Server?
Because Power Virtual Server is running on IBM POWER9 servers, IBM i 7.1 Service Extension is available through 30 April 2024.
7. What type of support coverage is provided with IBM i 7.1 Service Extension? Which products are covered?
 – From as of this writing to 30 April 2021, some of the IBM i 7.1 products and features are still available under new defect, plus usage and known defect support coverage.
 – Starting 1 May 2021, IBM i 7.1 Service Extension is usage and known-defect support.
 
Note: For more information, see Service Extension for IBM i 7.1 and IBM i 7.2.
8. Can you chose the image that includes the license from the catalog or must you bring your own image?
Customers can bring their own customized IBM i image. We provide stock images to help customers move their image easily to Power Virtual Server.
9. In the IBM Power Systems Virtual Server Price Estimator, there is an option for IBM i Service Extension. Does that mean that instead of going through a separate contract with IBM to get a Service Extension, we can streamline it all under Power Virtual Server pricing?
Yes. In Power Virtual Server, there is no need for a separate contract for Service Extension. Service Extension is automatically added for both IBM i 7.1 and IBM i 7.2 (after the Service Extension starts for 7.2 on 2021 May 1).
10. Does it need to install cloud-init on the IBM i LPAR -before creating the SAVSYS backup? Or, is this only necessary if we setup and use IBM Cloud Storage Solution?
Refer to slide 21 of IBM i Considerations.
11. Can a QSECOFR user access PowerVS by using SSH?
The QSECOFR user cannot access PowerVS by using SSH. Therefore, a new user is needed. However, PowerVS is available if you modify the sshd_config with PermitRootLogin yes (this practice is not recommended; therefore, you create another user with similar authority than QSECOFR).
12. Does PowerVS support virtual serial numbers?
There is no support for virtual serial numbers in PowerVS. However, that feature is on the roadmap.
13. What version of PowerVC is running on IBM PowerVS?
PowerVS is based on PowerVC that uses 1.4.4.2 version and manages the servers, such as S922 and e980 by Novalink.
14. Can a customer move their IBM i back on-premises?
The IBM i operating system entitlements stay on a machine serial number by default. If a customer sells the donor machine, the IBM i stays on the machine when it is sold. Therefore, if in future the customer needs their IBM i entitlement on-premises again, they must keep an on-premises donor machine with IBM i entitlement assigned to it.
If the customer again uses IBM i on-premises, and SWMA lapsed on the donor machine, and the customer needs support on-premises, they must reactivate SWMA. An after license fee applies.
15. What is VTL and how is it applicable to PowerVS?
DSI Restore is deduplicating backup and recovery virtual software. Based on DSI’s world-class enterprise Virtual Tape Library (VTL), you can restore runs on your virtual infrastructure and scale from TBs to PBs of backup data. Restore is a fit for small businesses and global enterprises because it is licensed per TB. Bandwidth efficient, encrypted data replication to a second site or cloud instance meets your compliance and disaster recovery requirement.
16. What is driving the business need for a software-based VTL?
IBM i customers require backup, and many use tape or virtual tape, meaning that a software-based VTL is needed.
17. What is available today with VTL?
For more information about VTL DSI for IBM i, see this web page.
18. How does VTL affect current customers?
Customers that are running applications in PowerVS can use DSI VTL software to back up in the cloud. There are no changes to applications or process. This is different than previous solution, which required IBM Cloud Storage and IBM Cloud Object Storage. Now, faster and less data space is required.
19. What is coming next with VTL on PowerVS roadmap?
Coming soon is the ability of a customer to order on-premises to use migration from Lab services. Software VTL for IBM i PowerVS will be available following by integration that allows VTL to be ordered directly from our GUI.
20. What about those customers that want to move in the future?
Customers intending to move to the Cloud use DSI VTL Software technology to migration of on-premises data to PowerVS. Customers with large amounts of data need to move it efficiently.
21. How does a restore is done from backup 21 when using the DSI VTL?
PowerVS supports iSCSI; therefore, it is not possible on IBM i to perform a D-mode IPL. Special steps must be taken. For more information, see the following web pages:
Hence, NFS servers are required for D-mode IPLs.
22. What is Movable IBM i (IBM i MOL)?
To protect customer investments in IBM i entitlements, IBM i MOL allows customers to move on-premises entitlements to PowerVS instead of purchasing new entitlements.
It is applicable to customers who have valid IBM i entitlements with active SWMA.
P10 and P30 IBM i OS and base LPP are available as target environments for IBM i MOL (add-on LPPs are excluded).
23. What is the process for customers that want to move their on-premises DR systems (“Donor”) into PowerVS?
Move entitled IBM i license from on-premises DR systems to PowerVS. For example, if a customer has 10 IBM i processor entitlement on the donor, they can move up to 10 IBM i processor entitles to PowerVS. These 10 entitlements are tracked and charged at the IBM i MOL price. The customer agrees to stop using those 10 IBM i entitlements on the donor.
The process includes the following steps:
a. Sellers, Business Partners, GSIs complete the Movable IBM i validation worksheet (Seismic Link) by using the following information:
 • Customer name
 • Machine Type model; for example, 9009-22A
 • Seven-digit Machine Serial Number
 • Number of IBM i processor entitlements to move to PowerVS
 • IBM i software tier; for example, P10 or P30
b. Submit to TSS ([email protected]).
c. TSS to validate customer’s IBM entitlement and respond to sells, BPs, GSIs:
 • Validate the number of IBM processor entitlements
 • Validate IBM i software tier
 • Validate active SWMA
 • Communicate back to sellers, BPs, GSIs
 • Save the approval
d. Sellers, BPs, GSIs to close pricing proposal with IBM i MOL price, if approved.
e. Sellers, BPs, GSIs to close contract and Movable IBM i Agreement.
f. Sellers, BPs, GSIs to send the signed Movable IBM i Agreement to OM ([email protected]) and OM to save the Agreement.
g. Technical OM or Development team to implement it in tracking database.
24. How many entitlements will the customer be eligible to move to PowerVS?
A customer can move their entitled IBM i license from their on-premises machine (“donor”) to PowerVS. For example, if a customer has 20 IBM i processor entitlements on the donor, they can move up to 20 IBM i processor entitlements to PowerVS. These 20 entitlements are tracked and charged at IBM i MOL price. The customer agrees to stop using those 20 IBM i entitlements on the donor.
If in PowerVS, a customer expands the IBM i usage to 21 cores in PowerVS. Their first 20 cores are charged at IBM i MOL price and the 21 cores are charged at the standard IBM i subscription price.
25. Can a customer’s on-premises donor machine be a POWER9™, IBM POWER8, POWER7/POWER7+, or earlier machine?
Yes, the type of on-premises server is not relevant for Movable IBM i. A customer’s number of IBM i processor entitlements and active SWMA are validated for the customer’s donor machine.
26. Can a customer with a donor IBM i P10 software tier use Movable IBM i for a PowerVS machine with P30 software tier? Can a customer with a donor IBM i P30 software tier use Movable IBM i for a PowerVS machine with P10 software tier?
 – P10 tier donor can use Movable IBM i on P10 tier in PowerVS.
 – P30 tier donor can use Movable IBM i on P10 tier or P30 tier in PowerVS. Specifically, a customer with P30 on-premises entitlement who is moving to the PowerVS P10 tier receives the Movable IBM i pricing for P10. This is a one-for-one mapping from donor to PowerVS entitlement.
The Movable IBM i offering does not support upgrading to a larger size than the donor server; for example, P10 tier on-premises cannot use Movable IBM i on the P30 tier in PowerVS.
27. Can a customer with on-premises IBM i P05 software use Movable IBM i in PowerVS?
The Movable IBM i offering does not support upgrading to a larger tier size than the on-premises server. A P05 on-premises customer can run workload in the PowerVS cloud. The customer acquires new PowerVS subscription at standard price.
28. Can a customer with an IBM i P20 software tier donor use Movable IBM i in PowerVS?
Regarding moving from a P20 tier donor to the P10 tier in PowerVS, PowerVS intends to support the ability for P20 tier donors to use the Movable IBM i on P10 tier in PowerVS. This support is on the PowerVS roadmap and is not available as of 12 November 2020.
Regarding moving from a P20 tier donor to the P30 tier in PowerVS, the Movable IBM i offering does not support upgrading to a larger tier size than the on-premises server. Therefore, the customer with P20 donor can acquire the P30 entitlements and pay the standard IBM i P30 subscription price.
29. If a customer has remaining IBM i Software Maintenance on-premises, they receive credit with the Movable IBM i offering?
Consider the following scenario: A customer paid for three years of IBM i SWMA on their donor, one year has passed, and now the customer wants to use Movable IBM i.
Two methods are available by which customers renew SWMA and the methods include different termination provisions. Therefore, check which method under which the customer acquired SWMA:
 – SWMA that was acquired by way of the Power Systems channel (for example, AAS, iERP by using e-config) cannot be canceled. There are no credits or refund for SWMA that was acquired by this method. Therefore, if a customer acquired SWMA by using this method, there are no credits issued when Movable IBM i is used for the remaining on-premises SWMA.
 – SWMA that was acquired by way of Service Suite or Service Elite, which are acquired by way of IBM Technical Support Services (TSS) sales, can be terminated, subject to the termination provisions of the contract. Credit is issued to the customer for the remaining SWMA by using the standard methods.
30. What if a customer does not have active SWMA on their donor and wants to use Movable IBM i?
Active IBM i group SWMA is required on the donor. Thus, activate SWMA by using standard steps. If the IBM i group SWMA lapsed, an after-license fee applies to reinstate SWMA.
31. Is the customer required to keep SWMA active on-premises?
If the customer is moving all of their IBM i workload to PowerVS, they do not need to keep IBM i group SWMA active on their donor. However, the customer must keep SWMA active on the donor for specific situations, for example: the customer moves part of their IBM i workload to the cloud and continues to use some IBM i entitlements on the donor.
 
Note: The SWMA renewal for Power Systems Software that SWMA is renewed on all Program entitlements on the donor machine. For example, if a customer has 10 IBM i entitlements on the donor, moves five to PowerVS, and continues to use five on the donor, the customer keeps active IBM i group SWMA on all 10 entitlements on the donor.
32. Can a customer use Movable IBM i for IBM i 7.1?
The PowerVS intends to support IBM i 7.1 in the future. After it is available, the Movable IBM i offering can be used with IBM i 7.1.
33. How many days of migration are allowed for customers moving to PowerVS? What if the customer needs an extended migration period?
For IBM Power Systems Software, 30 days are allowed for concurrent usage of software for migrations. If more than 30 days is required, IBM i customers can acquire IBM i Temporary Licensing (5733-ITL) on the donor machine.
34. Are the Licensed Program Products (LPPs) for IBM i and IBM i optional features available with the Movable IBM i pricing?
The Movable IBM i pricing includes the IBM i operating system and the base set of LPPs for i and IBM i optional features, which are always included with the IBM i subscription pricing. The separately ordered LPPs-PowerHA for i, Cloud Storage Solutions for i, Rational Development Studio for i, and DB2 Web Query for i are not available with Movable IBM i pricing.
35. What if a Managed Service Provider (MSP) has a customer with a donor machine and IBM i entitlement, which can be eligible for Movable IBM i? Can the MSP acquire Movable IBM i pricing for their customer? What if the entitlement is owned by the MSP?
Movable IBM i can be used by the party who holds the IBM i entitlement on the donor. Examples:
 – If a customer is the IBM i entitlement holder on the donor, the customer can use Movable IBM i in PowerVS. The MSP cannot get Movable IBM i pricing in PowerVS for this customer; however, the customer can get such pricing themselves.
 – If the MSP is the IBM i entitlement holder on the MSP’s donor, the MSP can use Movable IBM i in PowerVS.
36. What is the expected time to deployment of IBM i VM on IBM Power Systems Virtual Server?
A few minutes. Most of the time is spent in the IBM i OS booting.
37. If a customer is looking for LPP 5733 -I D1 InfoPrint Designer/400, is this included in base license on IBM i running on PowerVS?
No. It is a withdrawn product; therefore, it is not part of the base licenses.
38. Power VS encryption (IBM i): For encryption at rest, what are the algorithms that are used and how are keys for the algorithms a managed, including rotation frequency?
As on IBM Cloud, you can find Flash System 7200 and 9200. For more information, see Spectrum Virtualize Encryption.
FCMs (Tier 1) have built-in encryption. Keys are not rotated. This also does not support a KMIP.
39. For IBM i BRMS/IBM Cloud Storage backup to IBM Cloud Object Storage. What is the average throughput for 1 TB backup? For how much time do must you calculate?
For BRMS that uses HAProxy bare metal with private IBM Cloud Object Storage endpoint, approximately 150 MBps without compression, approximately 59 MBps with BRMS compression, and approximately 110 MBps with IBM Cloud Storage compression.
 
Important: Consider those averages as guidelines only; it was taken from tests, and can vary on your scenario or situation.
40. What is the preferred compression solution? IBM Cloud Storage compression or BRMS compression? Which one delivers a better compression ratio?
The following options are available:
 – Without any compression, more throughput is realized, but more virtual tapes are used; therefore, it takes equal time by using IBM BRMS compression.
 – With BRMS compression, you get less number virtual tapes but throughput is less, but time it takes to transfer is same such as without compression.
 – With IBM Cloud Storage compression, it takes same number of virtual tapes such as without compression (option1) and you do not get any extra space benefit such as you get with BRMS compression. Time it takes almost 5 - 6 times to transfer to IBM Cloud Object Storage so It is not recommend IBM Cloud Storage compression. It is suggested BRMS Compression because you save extra space of your IBM i LPAR that you can use for retaining some days of virtual tapes on your IBM i LPAR as well. With BRMS Compression, you got around 59% compression ratio and with IBM Cloud Storage you got around 80% compression ratio.
41. Can IBM Cloud Object Storage be used as backup for IBM i? Does it function with on-premises solutions instead of the daily physical tape replacement?
Yes, you can use BRMS with IBM Cloud Storage (5733-ICC) products to perform backups in virtual tapes and move it to IBM Cloud Object Storage bucket. Consider the following points:
 – You can double the attached disk space to stage backup data.
 – Because virtual volumes are transferred to IBM Cloud Object Storage over the network, expect delays depending on how much data must be transferred.
 – Full System Save is possible; therefore, a Full System restore requires more work with NFS server and Network Install.
 – Customers must expect delays for data restores because the virtual volume must be downloaded to a local disk before restore.
 – You need a reverse proxy or Vyatta NAT to reach out to IBM Cloud Object Storage from IBM Cloud Private network.
It also is possible to perform backups from on-premises directly to IBM Cloud Object Storage by using public interface whether all requirements are met in on-premises systems. Is for this reason that you review data transfer performance.
42. If a customer takes their IBM i image from on-premises to off-premises and that system includes Rational Dev Studio licensed, does it transfer to an instance that is on IBM Power Systems Virtual Server on IBM Cloud? Does Rational Directory Server on PowerVS include any extra cost?
If you are bringing your IBM i VM to PowerVS by image file or backup or restore, the license key for Rational Directory Server is applied by the IBM Cloud team if you selected a previous version of the VM in the IBM portal and another fee is associated with it.
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