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Status Not under consideration
Workspace IBM i
Categories Hardware
Created by Guest
Created on Oct 28, 2022

Add IBMi Support for LTO9 SAS Attached with existing SAS IOAs

IBMi does not support the LTO9 tape drive connected with either fiber or SAS. This is very restrictive when wanting to use new technology. The connection using a EJ10 IOA works but causes issues and errors.

Idea priority High
  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    May 1, 2023

    Thanks for asking whether the #EJ2B or #EJ2C will be supported with the 9009.

    There are no plans to support this adapter on the Power9 platform and/or older versions of IBM i. The adapter requires the latest firmware and OS updates that are not portable to older versions of the firmware or OS.

    If a SAS adapter is required for tape backup on Power9 there is the ability to order the following adapters:

    -- The previously withdrawn 3Gb SAS adapter feature codes #EJ1N or #EJ1P

    -- The still available 6Gb SAS adapter feature codes #EJ10 or #EJ11

    However, as stated earlier in the comments for this Idea, LTO9 will not be supported for attachment to these older SAS IOAs.

    IBM Power Systems Development

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Apr 30, 2023

    Thanks for the additional information. I see that the 9009 is not included. Can this request be extended to the 9009?

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Apr 21, 2023
    Thanks for asking for more details! We should have provided you with some links:

    IBM Announce letter: https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/1/897/ENUS123-031/index.html&request_locale=en

    IBM Technology Updates wiki page: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1137508

    Let us know if you have additional questions after checking the details in these links.

    IBM Power Systems Development
  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Apr 20, 2023

    This is good news. Will the new card be supported on the 9009? When will it be available on SPT?

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Apr 19, 2023
    This Idea is now being taken out of consideration -- LTO9 will not be supported for attachment to SAS IOAs that were available before 2023.

    However, as announced on April 11th, 2023, for clients who want to move forward on technology, the LTO9 SAS tape drives will be able to attach via a newer, faster SAS Tape adapter which becomes available on May 19th, 2023 -- it is the #EJ2B or #EJ2C, which is a PCIe3 12 Gb x8 SAS Tape HBA Adapter.

    Code levels for #EJ2B/EJ2C include:
    -- IBM i 7.5 TR2 or IBM i 7.4 TR8 Technology Refresh PTF Group, or later
    -- Power Firmware level FW1030.20
    -- For configurations with HMC, use HMC level 10.2.1040, or later

    IBM Power Systems Development
  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Jan 6, 2023
    Thank you for your submission. IBM has received your Idea and is evaluating it. IBM will provide a response after evaluation is complete.
    IBM Power Systems Development