IBM i (iSeries/AS400) Users – Research 9 Key Considerations Before You Explore Hosting Your System. Streamline Your Evaluation And Avoid Wasting Time

The purpose of this blog is to highlight 9 considerations to help you streamline your IBM i hosting evaluations and side-step common pitfalls that can delay or “kill” moving forward.

Incidentally, these 9 considerations also hold true for preparing to upgrade to a new IBM POWER server.

Disclaimer:? IBM i is an operating system. iSeries and AS400 are servers. I use these terms interchangeably to help folks find this kind of information on the web.

It is not every day that an IT professional goes shopping for IBM i cloud hosting. Candidly, you have too many other priorities demanding your attention.

That’s why I prepared this outline so you could collect the information you will need to know if you seriously plan to move to hosting your IBM i applications. This is also true if you plan instead to upgrade to a new IBM POWER server.

I have included additional comments for the categories to have a context of their importance in your search.

Here’s the list:

1)????? Software Keys. If you have Independent Software Provider (ISP) applications or utilities, have you researched what is involved to migrate your software to an IBM POWER server with a different serial number?

a.?????? Do you have active software support from your ISP?

b.?????? What is involved to get new software keys if needed?

c.?????? If there is a transfer fee, how much is that?

If you plan to move your software to a hosted server with a different serial number…or even just to upgrade to a newer version of the IBM i OS…in most cases, you MUST have software keys for ISP software.

This should be your first step before you start the hunt for hosting or a new on premise server.

Warning: If you are unable to get ISP software keys your hunt may be over. “No keys” generally means “No new platform – hosted or on premise.”

2)????? Custom Software with Source Code. If you have custom software,

a.?????? Do you have all of the source code?

b.?????? Do you have access to the folks that wrote and support the software for questions and help?

There are many smaller, back-level systems supporting companies just fine…as long as someone knows how the software works.

You need all of the source code to change to a newer platform.

If your software developer is planning to retire or is inaccessible, start a search for a programming replacement to help with future changes.

3)????? Software Tools. Do you use:

a.?????? Job Scheduler?

b.?????? Advanced Job Scheduler?

c.?????? CL Programming?

d.?????? BRMS?

e.?????? SMTP mail relay? If so, do you have someone accessible with SMTP expertise?

Many of these types of tools have software keys. Find out what is involved to migrate this software. Also, is your software still supported? If not, you may have to search for replacement software.

4)????? Your Current POWER Server Characteristics. Can you assess your IBM POWER Server?

a.?????? What machine and model do you have?

b.?????? Do you know your current RAM memory and storage capacity?

?????????????????????????????? i.????? Is your storage hard drives or SSDs?

????????????????????????????? ii.????? Is your storage internal or external SAN?

c.?????? Can you provide the number of Logical Partitions (LPARs) and cores active with IBM i in use?

d.?????? What is the version of IBM i OS you use?

e.?????? Can you provide a list of your IBM Licensed Program Products (LPP) and Passport Advantage software?

Knowing your system and your goals for the next 5-10 years will help your hosting or hardware provider determine what is right for you.

5)????? Backup. What is your backup strategy?

a.?????? What is your tape backup rotation?

b.?????? What is your backup tape retention?

c.?????? Does your tape backup retention include any compliance or government regulation?

Backup is a topic that deserves attention. Without proper backup you cannot recover your system. I see this error too often.

6)????? Save21. Do you have the ability to generate a current Save21 of your system to send to your IBM i hosting provider, preferably on an LTO tape?

Like Backup, having a current Save21 is essential for system recovery. Further, a member on the IT staff needs to understand how to conduct a Save21, properly document it and save it for future reference.

I have also seen this error too often.

7)????? Firewall. What firewall do you have?

a.?????? Is it currently supported?

b.?????? Do you have ready access to your firewall network support expert to help set up a VPN connection?

This is the most common way you connect to your hosting provider. Have your network expert on hand when it is time to set up your VPN. Be prepared to do more research so the VPN can be set up.

8)????? ODBC. What server-to-server processing is in place with ODBC?

Unlike 5250 protocol, ODBC is bandwidth intensive. Clearly understand and explore this topic with your prospective hosting provider to determine if ODBC bandwidth will be a hosting issue to be addressed.

9)????? IFS. What information do you store in the IBM i IFS?

The IFS may hold key documents and reports that require bandwidth to transmit, like PDF and imaged documents. Explore this in advance with your prospective hosting provider to determine your best options to deal with the IFS information your users may need.

Conclusion

In my experience, most folks that reach out to us about hosting want to first know how much it will cost. I get that. If too expensive, the hunt it over. If the range is acceptable, the hunt continues.

Even so, about 60%-70% of the folks I talk to cannot host … ever.

How come?

The most common reasons:

o?? No software keys

o?? No source code…or no access to someone that knows the software

o?? No complete Save21 or complete backups

The list I have provided will help you get the information you need for a successful assessment to move to a hosted or an on premise solution.

Need Help?

Call me at 714-593-0387 or email me at?[email protected]. 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

https://www.source-data.com/4-hour-version-upgrade/