IBM Power 8 End of Service (EoS) Guidance: What Customers Should Do Next

End of Support for POWER8 Based Service Models, Explained

The End of Service announcement for POWER8 based server models was intended to clarify product direction and marketing moving forward. This signals at least 12 months of notice for customers who need to start looking at replacement or upgrade options.

The official statement makes clear the intention to sunset the product, opening a new window for upgrades and migration into other generations of Power, each boasting considerable benefits.

MES upgrades, or Miscellaneous Equipment Specification, for those unfamiliar, typically covers areas such as internal storage, memory, and adapters.

Following the announcement, businesses with workloads on POWER8 are presented with the opportunity to upgrade to POWER9 or the latest Power 10 systems, released last year. For those considering delaying upgrades and replacements, IBM POWER8 will have restricted upgradability and support. It is advisable to consider fully the upgrade and support options available when planning your next steps.

So, What Next?

Businesses carefully considering their options should approach buying from any third-party provider for POWER8 with caution, as the withdrawal from support will substantially curb the long-term upgradability of any existing POWER8 kit.

Where systems fall outside of official support and service, upgrading or migrating into new release models will often create challenging situations. That’s why CSI’s technical experts work closely with IBM Power Systems to map and plan migrations meaningfully. This is known as ‘upgrade planning’ – or where companies can explore and map out future upgrades to maximise on IBM’s cutting-edge and often exciting product roadmaps.

What’s Happening with IBM Power Right Now? (And Since Last Year)

Throughout 2023 and beyond, IBM POWER8 servers will start to carry the same risk as any other legacy technology, where the closure of support for this kit will operate restricted upgradability features moving forward for new components.

But the IBM Power Systems family – including IBM POWER9 and, latest release, IBM Power 10 – packs plenty of benefits and features that it still maintains a global reputation for running powerful, often regulated, workloads.

For those with IBM capabilities, a migration into Power 10 servers unlocks more potential from not only how those workloads perform, but also the ways in which a business addresses scalability, sustainability upgrades, and cost efficiencies.

Modernisation feels synonymous with IBM Power. Before POWER8 reaches the end of its serviceable life, the benefits of migration into newer Power hardware includes everything from cost savings to resilience.

At a glance, a Power 10 upgrade can unlock:

• Up to 2x Performance Per Core
• Reduced Software and Maintenance Costs
• Increased Resilience
• Reduction in Power Consumption and Costs
• Better Sustainability Outcomes
• Reduced space / power / cooling in the Data Centre

Navigating an upgrade to IBM Power 10 is now simpler than you think. Read our Upgrading to Power 10 (a Facts & Features Guide) to better understand what makes this a cutting-edge, powerful piece of hardware that has redefined resilience and reliability.

Is it Time to Upgrade?

The IBM POWER8 end of service (or EoS) announcement, including support and maintenance, will change how your business operates if it owns retiring hardware. Whether you need to discuss an upgrade option with an IBM accredited specialist, or want to better plan a future migration, please get in touch with one of our team today or explore our market-leading IBM Power Managed Services for more information.