The purpose of this blog is to briefly summarize key factors beyond the server hardware that affect IBM user choices when selecting an on premise server or cloud hosting.
Because there is much to cover, this blog will only cover explanations for:
1) HWMA (Hardware Maintenance Agreement)
2) SWMA (Software Maintenance Agreement)
3) After License Fee (ALF)
4) Service Extension (SE)
5) Software Keys
Disclaimer: IBM i is an operating system. iSeries and AS400 are IBM servers. I use these terms interchangeably to make it easier for folks to find information on the web.
HWMA (Hardware Maintenance Agreement)
HWMA is IBM hardware support that a user buys for hardware repair including parts and labor. Generally HWMA has a 1 year minimum term. The customer can select coverage from Monday to Friday 8-5, next day response time or 24/7 with a 4 hour response time.
HWMA fees vary based on configuration, coverage, and term length.
SWMA (Software Maintenance Agreement)
SWMA is IBM software support for IBM LPPs and Entitlement software. Generally SWMA has a 1 year minimum term. The customer can select coverage from Monday to Friday 8-5, next day response time or 24/7 with a 4 hour response time.
SWMA fees vary based on software tier, coverage, and term length.
After License Fee (ALF)
After License Fee is a charge the user pays to renew expired IBM software support or SWMA or to add SWMA for a used server newly added to an enterprise.
So, if you buy a used IBM POWER server, you will be billed for SWMA and ALF to get your donor LLPs moved to the newly acquired used server.
If you think buying a used server is a bargain compared to a new server, better check the cost of SWMA and ALF before you dive in. You most likely will discover a used server is not such a great bargain after all.
Service Extension (SE)
When IBM announces that they will no longer actively support a version of IBM i OS, they will offer users Service Extension support in the interim to final discontinuance.
For example, IBM announced effective April 30, 2018 that IBM i V7.1 will no longer be actively supported. In other words, IBM will no longer add functionality or software fixes to this version of the OS.
Even so, many IBM i users choose to remain on this version for a variety of reasons and still want access to IBM phone support. In such cases, they can buy SE to have access to support for IBM LLPs and OS no longer actively supported.
My sense is that V7.1 users who want to mitigate their support risk select SE.
Software Keys
Presently, most software requires software keys licensed to specific computers by serial number.
When a user transfers their LLP and Entitlement software from a donor server to a new server with a different serial number, the user has about 65 days to load software keys before the system halts.
An IBM user must have SWMA to get Permanent Software Keys from the IBM Key Center for IBM LPPs and Entitlement software. Once loaded, the Permanent Software Keys allow for indefinite use of this specific version of the software for the serialized server.
Occasionally an IBM user may get Temporary Software Keys for 30 days as administrative or processing issues may delay the issuance of Permanent Software Keys. To be sure, Temporary Software Keys is the exception.
Need assistance to determine your best options for support of your IBM i applications over the next 10-20 years, email me at blosey@source-data.com or call me at 714-593-0387.
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