The Future of IBM Power, and the Latest With IBM Storage
Upcoming virtual and live events are on tap for this summer and fall (and you may even get to meet Rob himself!)
IBM is hosting upcoming virtual and live events, starting with this look at the future of IBM Power on July 8:
“Join us to hear the latest announcement and to learn more about the technology and value it will create for your organization.”
This fall, IBM Storage is hosting live events in Chicago (September 9) and Houston (September 11):
“This is an opportunity for customers and business partners seeking a deeper technical understanding of the architecture and functional characteristics of the IBM Storage Virtualize Family of products to hear from IBM experts who will present their views on strategic directions and best practices and provide feedback on IBM FlashSystem and SVC, IBM Storage Defender, and IBM Storage Insights.”
Attendees will have an opportunity to learn from and share with IBM subject matter experts and development architects, and network with peers. An NDA must be signed if IBM doesn’t already hold one for you.
Also keep in mind that IBM TechXchange will take place Oct. 6-9 in Orlando. I plan to be there, so if you see me be sure to say hello.
A sampling of IBM Power topics include: watsonx as a Service, SAP on Power, PowerSC, IBM Zero Trust Execution for AIX, Red Hat OpenShift for IBM Power, Power Virtual Server, IBM i.
Storage topics include: Fusion, Storage Defender, Storage Scale, FlashSystem, Storage DS8000, Storage Ceph.
IBM Support on MSS, AIX process core dumps, PowerVC live kernel updates
More docs from IBM Support. First, this explanation of maximum segment size:
“The maximum segment size (MSS) is the largest amount of data specified in bytes that a communication device can receive in single, unfragmented packet.
“This Maximum Segment Size (MSS) announcement is sent in SYN packet notifying remote end that “I can accept TCP segments up to specific size in bytes.’
“The MSS advertised by each end can be different depending on their configuration.
“The MSS is only data portion in the packet, it does not include the TCP header or the IP header.
“MSS = MTU – size of(TCPHDR) – size of(IPHDR) – size of (IPSEC)*
* if IP SEC is enabled”
Read the whole thing, which includes an explanation of how MSS is determined. (Includes flowcharts!)
* This Support doc explains what data should be collected when a process core dumps on AIX:
“When a process core dumps on AIX, two things are necessary for problem analysis:
“1. The binary must have been shipped with AIX as IBM has to be the source code owner. Third party applications must be analyzed by the respective vendor.
“2. Data collection has to be done using the “snapcore” command. The core file itself is not sufficient. snapcore will ensure the core file, program binary and all relevant libraries are gathered which allows for analysis outside the customer’s environment.”
This document describes an issue you may have if you perform a live kernel update of a PowerVC managed LPAR:
“High Impact/Highly Pervasive APAR IJ53660 Live Kernel Update of a PowerVC managed LPAR may incorrectly remove a disk from the LPAR
Risk classification: HIPER (High Impact and/or Pervasive)
Risk categories: System Outage
Affected Domain: Live Kernel Update and PowerVC
Abstract: Live Kernel Update of a PowerVC managed LPAR may incorrectly remove a disk from the LPAR
“Description: When certain errors are encountered communicating with PowerVC during Live Kernel Update (LKU), the wrong disk may be removed at the end of the LKU processing. This may result in a rootvg or data vg disk being detached and deleted from the LPAR. This can only occur when doing LKU of a PowerVC-managed LPAR, not when doing LKU of an HMC-managed LPAR.
“IBM recommends the following fix be applied before doing any Live Kernel Update of a PowerVC managed LPAR. No reboot is required after applying the ifix…”
Keep up With IBM Power Updates
As a reminder, keeping up with IBM Power announcements can be accomplished with a quick bookmark:
I, for one, appreciate that there’s one place to find this information.
These topics have been covered since the beginning of the year:
June
Revised availability: IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud for Australia
Price Action for Power/Storage: Increase Effective July 1, 2025
May
Software Withdrawal: IBM i Portfolio miscellaneous features
Software Withdrawal: Select Red Hat Enterprise Linux features
Hardware Withdrawal: 2nd Quarter 2025 Select IBM Power Systems features
IBM i now offers Subscription Term Licensing for the IBM Power S922 (9009-22A
IBM Power Subscription offers a new 32TB option for the E1080)
April
IBM Cloud Enterprise Savings Plan Support offers a 4-year support option for IBM Storage Ceph as a Service
End of Marketing: IBM Cloud Enterprise 4-year PIDs for IBM Storage Ceph as a Service – Replacements are available
IBM i 7.6 and IBM i Portfolio give strong foundation for continuous innovation
IBM extends hardware capabilities
IBM adds new capabilities and enhancements with IBM i 7.5 Software Technology Refresh 6
SUSE Multi-Linux Manager entitlements are now available from IBM Power
March
IBM Power Enterprise Pools mobile activations are available for IBM Power E1050 server in Latin America
Revised availability: Power Virtual Server Private Cloud and Power Subscription for Power Virtual Server Private Cloud for Germany
Revised country availability for ordering IBM i Virtual Serial Numbers
IBM Transformation Suite for SAP Applications
IBM Cloud Enterprise Savings Plan Support offers a 4-year option for IBM Storage Ceph as a Service
February
IBM Software Support Services – Service Extension for IBM PowerVM VIOS 3.1.4
IBM Power Subscription
Hardware withdrawal: Miscellaneous IBM Power features
Software withdrawal: Select SUSE Linux Enterprise Server programs and features – replacements are available
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 for Power, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications for Power have updated features
January
Revised availability: IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud for Australia
IBM Z offers IBM TechXchange Conference 2025