As you probably know, a RAID disk controller is a system failsafe feature that allows for a disk in a disk array to fail without bringing the system down. Built into the RAID controller is a buffer. The buffer “tells” the processor that the “data write-to-disk” is complete, so the system “knows” to go back to the processor to fetch more data to send to the disks. Quite simply, the cache buffer speeds up data from the processor to the disk. And this cache buffer has a battery to keep … [Read more...]
6 Unexpected Things You Need To Know About Our 4 Hour IBM i (OS400) Version Upgrade
Our approach to IBM i version upgrades is different. Our Clients know it to be WAY BETTER 1. Way Less Time: This approach does not require 1 or more weekends of downtime to upgrade OS400 to the latest release. Restricted downtime is dramatically limited – in most cases, it’s about 2x – 3x your save time depending on the amount of data, or about 2 to 4 hours for most of our clients. 2. No Surprises The unexpected surprises are discovered before anyone comes onsite to go live. If … [Read more...]
5 Methods To Secure Your Cloud Hosted IBM i Applications
Every user I speak to about hosting is concerned about the security of their applications and their critical data. This post discusses 5 methods to secure hosted IBM i applications and data. 1) IBM i Secure Foundation The IBM i operating system is proprietary and unique in its design. I have attached a summary of the IBM i Secure Foundation from a very helpful website: http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power/software/i/security/integrity.html Quite simply, unlike other operating … [Read more...]
9 Ways IBM i Cloud Hosting Disaster Recovery Saves Money
1) With IBM i Cloud Hosting You Never Overbuy Or Overpay For Capacity You Don’t Use. With IBM i Cloud Hosting you never overbuy or overpay for capacity you don’t use, which is commonly the case with a physical target server or CBU. That’s because replicating to IBM i Cloud Hosting Logical Partition (LPAR) only needs a subset of the production capacity. With replication, you don’t need as much memory or core performance (CPW) compared to running a production environment. If you need more … [Read more...]
Users Remain The Big Security Risk
Recently a prospective cloud client requested us to provide unlimited liability for a data breach, even if we were not responsible. I suggested that they would find no cloud hosting providers that would offer such a provision. I further explained that most data breaches are the consequences of users, not the cloud hosting service. This article below spells it out. You may find the reading a little tough. In essence, 1% of your users are power users that access most of your files and … [Read more...]
10 Surprising Benefits From IBM i (OS400) Cloud Hosting
No IBM i core activation fees, no user fees – We pay IBM these fees when we buy our IBM POWER servers. And we don’t rebill you. No IBM HWMA, SWMA or Service Extension Fees - Leave annual escalating IBM support fees behind. Our IBM POWER servers include IBM HWMA and SWMA so you don’t have to pay. It’s already included in our monthly fee. Pay only for what you need – Today’s IBM POWER servers are way bigger than most IBM i users need. Most IBM i users can be more than satisfied with 1000-2000 … [Read more...]
IBM i Applications and Cloud Portability – The Benefits Of Single-Level Architecture
I recently read a LinkedIn article, “The Real Costs of Cloud Application Portability”. Simply put, the article highlights trade-offs with workload portability and the use of low-cost native services unique to one cloud provider compared to the delay and extra cost to make your applications portable to a broader range of cloud providers. For applications that use Windows, UNIX and Linux, workload portability and cloud hosting can be a major evaluation factor, especially when planning for … [Read more...]
Windows 10 And IBM i Access for Windows …And Why IBM SWMA Is So Important
IBM does not plan to support IBM i Access for Windows on operating systems beyond Windows 8.1. This IBM announcement is particularly important to IBM i(AS400) users who may plan to add Windows 10 and do NOT have IBM SWMA to get access to the replacement product, IBM i Access Client Solutions, which includes 5250 emulation, data transfer, printer output, console support, and more. For information regarding IBM i Access Client Solutions, refer … [Read more...]