This blog explains how to get IBM License Program Products (LPP) software keys for your backup server. If you are not familiar with this process, it can be frustrating and bewildering. My purpose is to explain the process so it is easier to understand and execute.

 Many IBM i (iSeries/AS400) users have a backup server to continue to run their critical applications when unexpected downtime occurs. This can be a simple as a backup server ready to run within 16-28 hours from a tape backup to real-time mirroring of a production system to a target system for failover in 5 minutes.

Oftentimes, the backup server is your last production server when you upgrade to a new IBM i server, like retaining your POWER6 8203-E4A when you replace it with your new POWER8 8286-41A. It can also be a Capacity Backup Unit (CBU) – the same server configuration as the production server except designated as the CBU target server when you order both servers new.

When you have a target server, IBM permits you to have copies of your IBM LPPs on your target server without paying a license fee. For midrange IBM i users a second copy of IBM LLPs generally costs in a range of $10,000 – $20,000 or more. So it is a good deal to get your target server IBM LLPs WIHTOUT paying the license fees.

IBM requires special registration to get your target IBM LLPs.

Step 1 – You must complete a “REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION OF A BACK UP IBM MACHINE” form. You can get this form from your IBM Business Partner or IBM. This is a Word document.

 Step 2 – Tthe IBM Key Center requires this form to be completed in Word. The IBM Key Center will reject your form if it is NOT completed in Word. Please be aware of this to avoid delays and frustration.

 Step 3 – Tthe form will require your name, email address, company name and the countries where your primary and backup machines are located.

Step 4 – You will provide machine, serial number, processor group (i.e. P05, P10, P20, etc.) and customer number for both your backup and primary server.

THIS CAN BE TRICKY if you bought your primary server from a different business partner as you may have DIFFERENT CUSTOMER NUMBERS for each server. YOU are required to tell the IBM Key Center the customer number linked to each server. If you do not know, work with your IBM Business Partner or IBM so this is properly identified or you will have unwanted delays.

 Step 5 – You will specify your Backup Category as CBU, High Availability (Hot), Warm or Cold backup. (We almost always select Warm here unless they bought their backup server as a CBU.)

 Step 6 – There is a section for your IBM Sales Representative to complete and approve. If you work with an IBM Business Partner, the BP will submit this form to his IBM Sales Representative for processing.

The second page of this form highlights several key aspects of the IBM LPP software keys:

  •  You have temporary use of the keys for a 2-year term. When the keys expire you can request new keys PROIVDED your backup unit still has IBM Software Maintenance (SWMA).
  •  The keys are only to be used for backup and recovery – not productive work. This means you are not supposed to have productive applications, like Business Intelligence or software development, operating on your backup server.
  •  When you discontinue the use of your backup server, you are to remove the IBM LPPs.

Step 7 – On the third page you are to list the IBM LPPs on the primary machine that are required on the backup machine. You need to specify IBM LPPs include the Product (i.e. 5770SS1), Version (i.e. V7R1) and Load ID (i.e. feature code 5050, 5051, etc.).

To be clear, IBM software can have features. For example, your IBM i 5770SS1 may also have the feature to print up to 55 lpm on laser printers. This feature code is 5112. So, Load ID 5112 needs to be specified.

It is important to note that even if you are running at a particular OS level, i.e. V7R1M0, some licensed programs will show at a lower OS level such as QU2 which often is at V1R1MO.  You must request the backup keys at the level listed on the production server for that LPP.

You can find you IBM LPPs with the command GOLICPGM.

It is also important to note that this program is ONLY for IBM LPPs,  it cannot be used to provide Hardware Keys, Base OS keys, or Processor or user Entitlements.

 Final Point

Clearly, this is a task you may only do once every 2 years or whenever you setup a DR solution. If this seems tricky, then work with you IBM Business Partner or your DR consultant to work through this procedure.

 Need More Help?

I would be happy to help out. Email me at blosey@source-data.com or call me at 714-593-0387.

 I would love to hear from you.