As of September 30th, 2023, support for IBM i V7R3 will come to an end. With this deadline quickly approaching, it’s critical to consider your options if you’re currently running this release. It’s highly recommended that you run supported software on your systems, as it will receive regular patches for issues and potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Moreover, in the event of an issue, a support case can be raised with IBM. However, if you decide to continue using V7R3, you’ll be exposing your organization to significant risks.
IBM i V7R4 is supported on Power 8, Power 9, and Power 10 systems, although support for Power 8 systems will end in March 2024. IBM i V7R5 is supported on Power 9 and Power 10 systems. If you choose to upgrade your current system to V7R4 or V7R5, and your hardware is compatible, it’s a no-cost upgrade included as part of your existing operating system license.
The simplicity of upgrading from V7R3 depends on whether your applications and hardware are compatible with later releases. Typically, most third-party software is now compatible with V7R4, as it has been available for several years. If your hardware is unable to support newer releases, you have two options: upgrade your system to one that supports V7R4 or move to a cloud service that supports V7R4 or above.
At Meridian IT, we have the expertise to support you in upgrading your systems. We boast a highly skilled software team capable of adjusting your bespoke applications to run on newer releases, as well as a large and experienced technical services team to aid in any upgrades and ongoing consultancy. Additionally, MITUK provides the option of our private cloud, which runs the latest Power 10 and Intel servers, with the option for 24/7 remote management and monitoring. This service can be integrated with our 24/7 security operations centre, so you can have complete confidence in the security of your critical infrastructure. For more information, please contact [email protected], and one of our experts will promptly respond to your inquiry.