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IBM Power Ideas Portal


This portal is to open public enhancement requests against IBM Power Systems products, including IBM i. To view all of your ideas submitted to IBM, create and manage groups of Ideas, or create an idea explicitly set to be either visible by all (public) or visible only to you and IBM (private), use the IBM Unified Ideas Portal (https://ideas.ibm.com).


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Specific links you will want to bookmark for future use

Welcome to the IBM Ideas Portal (https://www.ibm.com/ideas) - Use this site to find out additional information and details about the IBM Ideas process and statuses.

IBM Unified Ideas Portal (https://ideas.ibm.com) - Use this site to view all of your ideas, create new ideas for any IBM product, or search for ideas across all of IBM.

ideasibm@us.ibm.com - Use this email to suggest enhancements to the Ideas process or request help from IBM for submitting your Ideas.

Status Not under consideration
Workspace IBM i
Categories Storage
Created by Guest
Created on Oct 31, 2024

Faster Encrypted Backups for IBM i

There are regulations that require to encrypt tape backups also for IBM i. However, software encryption requires about twice as long as the build-in real-time hardware encryption in IBM TS1xxx tapedrives. There are no means to manage the tape library encryption keys from IBM i, also known as Application Managed (Hardware) Encryption (AME). An external KLM is needed to support LME (library managed hardware encryption), which does not run on IBM i.

Idea priority High
  • Guest
    Jun 10, 2025
    IBM has decided not to support AME on IBM i.
  • Admin
    Carmelita Ruvalcaba
    May 27, 2025

    The CAAC has reviewed this IBM Idea and recommends that IBM not implement this request.

    The solution is already available with SKLM to do external encryption. Where it is with a tape drive or a storage area network.

    Background: The COMMON Americas Advisory Council (CAAC) members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CAAC has a key role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual IBM Ideas on the broader IBM i community and has therefore reviewed your Idea.

    For more information about CAAC, see www.common.org/caac

    Carmelita Ruvalcaba - CAAC Program Manager