The IBM Power servers have been reliable workhorses for over 30 years for many organizations, providing the computing power needed to run critical workloads. However, as technology advances and new hardware becomes available, older technologies become outdated and have an increased risk of failure and security breaches.
IBM's announced End of Support (EOS) date for most Power9 servers is January 31, 2026. EOS means that after this date, businesses can no longer reliably get hardware maintenance and support, order upgrades, or receive replacement parts directly from IBM.
This announcement is forcing those running Power9 to evaluate their hardware strategy. Whether it’s a cloud migration, new hardware or extended support you have several options to choose from.
Migrate to the Cloud for Futureproofing
If you are ready to stop purchasing and depreciating hardware, this might be the perfect time to migrate to the cloud. By migrating from on-premises Power9 servers to a cloud-based solution, businesses can take advantage of the IBM Power10 or Power11 platform without the capital expense associated with new servers. Cloud computing offers numerous benefits, including scalability, flexibility, and reduced maintenance overhead.
Cloud providers often offer a level of scalability and flexibility that you can’t achieve with purchased hardware. In the cloud you pay for a system that is configured specifically for you and have the option to increase and decrease resources as your business needs change. This “pay for what you use” can dramatically reduce your costs, especially if your applications only require a fraction of a processor.
Once migrated to the cloud, installing PTFs, security patches, and OS upgrades becomes a thing of the past, as your cloud provider now takes care of those at your convenience and on your schedule. With a shortage of IBM i expertise in the market, reducing the burden of administration and maintenance is a huge benefit to companies.
With a cloud-based solution, you also experience a secure, reliable, resilient data center environment where everything is fully redundant, significantly reducing the risk of downtime if disaster strikes.
Check out Racksquared’s IBM Power in the Cloud solution which offers technology futureproofing benefits, enabling businesses to have the latest technologies and scale their infrastructure as needed.
Purchase a New Power10 or Power 11 Server
For organizations that want to own hardware, buying a new Power10 or Power11 server is an option. Power10 and Power11 servers offer significant improvements in processing power, memory capacity, and security features compared to previous generations.
By upgrading to a Power10 or Power 11 server, businesses can benefit from enhanced performance and efficiency, allowing them to handle demanding workloads more effectively. Additionally, investing in the latest server technology ensures long-term support from IBM and access to future updates and security patches.
However, it's essential to carefully evaluate the cost of a new Power10 or Power 11 server and consider whether the performance enhancements justify the expense. Organizations should also assess their specific business requirements and determine whether purchasing the minimum configuration of the Power10 server is the best fit for their needs, as they might be buying more resources than they need.
While investing in a new Power10 and Power11 servers involves a significant upfront cost, it can provide the most advanced capabilities and support for organizations that require cutting-edge technology. With the recent launch of the Power11, we are excited to share our thoughts in upcoming blogs.
Upgrade to a Used Power10 Server
Another option for organizations looking to move off the unsupported Power9 box is to purchase a used Power10 server. The Power10 server, while not brand new if purchasing used, will offer substantially improved performance, scalability, and efficiency compared to its predecessor, and put you back on supported hardware with a longer support lifecycle.
By opting for a used Power10 server, organizations can save costs compared to investing in a brand-new unit, while still gaining significant technological advantages. When considering an upgrade to a used Power10 server, it's crucial to carefully assess the condition of the server, its remaining support period from IBM or a reputable third-party reseller, and whether it aligns with your organization's long-term goals.
Overall, upgrading to a used Power10 server can be a viable option for organizations that need more powerful, supported hardware but want to minimize upfront costs.
Remain on Power9 with Third-Party Maintenance
For businesses looking to extend the life of their Power9 server, one option is to continue using it but purchase third-party maintenance. Third-party maintenance providers offer support and maintenance services for Power9 servers even after IBM's official End of Support date. They can help with hardware repairs, software updates (where applicable), and troubleshooting, ensuring that your Power9 servers continue to operate smoothly. However, these third-party maintenance companies can be expensive, potentially resulting in a higher total cost of ownership.
It is also essential to consider the risks and limitations of relying on third-party maintenance. While these providers can offer support, they may not have access to the same expertise or resources as IBM. For example, a replacement part that IBM once always had in stock could take days or weeks to get, or worse, be impossible to find. Additionally, using third-party maintenance often means that you may be unable to upgrade the operating system to the latest versions, and you no longer receive security patches directly from IBM, potentially leaving your infrastructure vulnerable to emerging threats.
As IT professionals, we often advise caution with this option as it could lead to the "IBM Power Trap”, where continued reliance on outdated, unsupported hardware eventually leads to critical system failures or security breaches. However, deciding to remain on Power9 with third-party maintenance should focus on your organization's needs, budget constraints, and risk tolerance.
How Racksquared can Help
At Racksquared, we understand organizations' challenges when navigating the end of support for IBM Power9 servers. Our team of experts can provide guidance and support in choosing the best upgrade path for your specific needs.
Whether you decide to remain on Power9 with third-party maintenance, upgrade to a used or new Power10 or Power11 server, or migrate to the cloud, Racksquared can assist you every step of the way. We offer comprehensive IBM Power solutions and services, including hardware procurement, cloud hosting, colocation, and ongoing administration and maintenance.
Check out our IBM Power solutions on the web to learn how Racksquared can help you navigate the end of support for IBM Power9 servers and ensure a smooth transition to a more modern and supported infrastructure. Let’s Talk.