IBM Power 8 End-of-Support – When Does It Happen and How to Prepare

All good things must come to an end – including the support for IBM Power 8. As new technology emerges, old tools fade into the background. In that vein, IBM is moving towards more advanced versions of its system. What does the IBM Power 8 end-of-life mean for the companies using it? Find out how to navigate this change.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Why does IBM plan to stop supporting Power 8?
• What are the end-of-life dates for certain server models?
• What can you do if you’ve been using IBM Power 8?
• What are the challenges and benefits of each migration option?

Revolution in the IBM power systems

Introduced in 2014, the IBM Power 8 series brought substantial improvements in performance and efficiency, catering to the needs of high-demand computing environments. Now, ten years later, IBM is set to officially stop supporting this system.  As the technology landscape evolves, IBM's focus is shifting toward its newer Power 9 and Power 10 systems, which promise enhanced capabilities and future readiness.

What are the top reasons for the IBM Power 8 end-of-support?

• End of Life (EOL) Cycle: it becomes economically and technically unfeasible for IBM to continue supporting and maintaining older systems
• Advancement in technology: IBM continues to innovate and release newer generations of its Power Systems
• Maintenance costs: as hardware ages, the costs associated with maintaining and supporting it tend to increase
• Compatibility & integration: newer software applications and operating systems may not be fully compatible with older hardware platforms

What does it mean for companies using IBM Power8?

As you can see, the reasons for IBM Power 8 end of life are pretty solid and it’s easy to understand why IBM is making this move. But what does it mean for companies still using the old system? When IBM stops the technical support for Power 8, there will be no further updates, patches, or security fixes. In case any problems arise, you will not have access to official IBM resources that could help you resolve them. What’s more, future software updates and applications might not be compatible with the older Power 8 architecture, which may limit your ability to integrate new solutions – and that can cause you to stay behind the competition. Ultimately, this revolution is probably going to entail changes in your company’s IT infrastructure.

IBM Power 8 end-of-life dates by server model

IBM Power 8 End-of-Service - Migration Options

Now, you’ve been using IBM Power 8 for the past decade and don’t know how to proceed with the change. What are your options? Here, we enlist the possibilities lying ahead of you – with benefits and challenges that arise with each.

Physical upgrade to Power 9/10

Advantages:

• Performance improvement: Power9 and Power10 systems offer performance improvements over Power8.
• Enhanced security features: Newer generations of IBM Power Systems come with enhanced security features and capabilities, which can give you better protection against potential cyber-attacks or data breach risks.
• Long-term support: Upgrading to Power9 or Power10 ensures continued support from IBM, including software updates, patches, and technical assistance.

Challenges:

• Cost: Obviously, buying new hardware will always require a dip into the company’s savings. The overall costs include not only the software itself but also new servers, licenses, and professional services for migration and implementation.
• Downtime: The migration process from Power8 to Power9/10 may require downtime, which could impact business continuity.
• Compatibility: Ensure that existing software applications and data are compatible with the new hardware and operating system to avoid potential issues and disruptions.

Cloud migration

Advantages:

• Cost-efficiency: Cloud migration can help you save up, as you’ll be paying only for the resources and services used.
• Scalability: Cloud platforms are famous for their scalability, which is a great asset if you want to adjust your resources easily based on demand and growth.
• Flexibility: Cloud solutions provide flexibility in terms of infrastructure management, deployment options, and technology stack.

Challenges:

• Data security and compliance: Ensure that the chosen cloud provider complies with industry regulations and standards and provides robust security measures to protect sensitive data.
• Migration complexity: Cloud migration can be complex, involving data transfer, application reconfiguration, and system integration. Proper planning and execution are essential if you want to minimize risks or potential disruptions.

Contract with a 3rd party service provider

Advantages:

• Cost savings: Third-party maintenance services can be more cost-effective compared to OEM support.
• Customized support options: Third-party support often offers customizable options tailored to your company’s specific needs and requirements.
• Extended support: You can extend the lifespan of Power8 systems by accessing maintenance and support services beyond the official end-of-support date.

Challenges:

• Service quality and reliability: When choosing the new provider, it’s crucial to research and select the most reputable vendor with a proven track record of delivering high-quality and reliable services.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Ensure your new provider offers clear and comprehensive SLAs to define the scope of services, response times, and resolution processes.
• Compatibility and updates: One issue you may run into while moving to the third-party provider relates to the compatibility of software updates, patches, and firmware for Power8 systems.

Change platform

Advantages:

• Vendor diversification: Moving to a different hardware platform can reduce dependency on a single vendor and provide access to a broader range of technology solutions and innovations.
• Cost optimization: Evaluate and select a platform that offers better performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency compared to IBM Power Systems.
• Future-proofing: Choose a platform that aligns with the company's long-term IT strategy and future growth plans.

Challenges:

• Migration complexity: Changing the platform involves migrating data, applications, and infrastructure to a new environment – needless to say, that can be complex and time-consuming.
• Training and skill development: Ensure that the IT team receives proper training and support to manage and maintain the new platform effectively.
• Compatibility and integration: Assess the compatibility of existing software and applications with the new platform to avoid compatibility issues and ensure seamless integration.

Continue Power 8 without support

Advantages:

• Cost savings in the short term: This one’s simple – if you don’t do anything and continue to use the Power 8 systems without support, you don’t need to deal with any additional costs. (At least, at first).
• Flexibility: You can maintain your existing infrastructure and delay migration decisions until a more convenient time or when the company budget allows.

Challenges:

• Security risks: Operating Power8 systems without official support exposes the company to increased security risks, vulnerabilities, and potential cyber threats.
• Limited long-term viability: Over time, the lack of support and maintenance for Power8 systems will lead to increased maintenance costs, reduced performance, and limited scalability.
• Business continuity risks: In the event of hardware failures or critical issues, companies may face downtime and disruptions to business operations.

5 Key takeaways:

1. IBM stops supporting Power 8 due to advancements in technology, maintenance & costs, and potential problems with compatibility and integrations.
2. The IBM Power 8 support will stop in 2024, starting in March and ending in October, depending on certain server models.
3. The IBM Power 8 end-of-life means that companies using them can no longer count on technical support and may run into problems with upgrading their systems.
4. To deal with Power 8's end-of-support, you can choose one of the following options: a physical upgrade to Power 9/10, continuing Power 8 without support, changing the platform, moving to the cloud, or contracting with a third-party service provider.
5. Each option has its challenges and advantages, so it may be beneficial to reach out to a professional company that can offer support.

How Can Comarch Help?

As an IBM-accredited specialist, Comarch can provide your company with the support it needs to make the switch to a newer version of IBM systems. Comarch Data Center offers fully managed IBM Power Platform services that will allow your company to increase its efficiency and reduce operating costs. You can read more about our IBM power support here.