Operating systems supported in IBM Power Virtual Server
IBM Power Virtual Server in IBM data center
IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud in Client location
IBM® Power® Virtual Server supports AIX, IBM i, and Linux operating systems. You can run these operating systems on your virtual server instances (VSIs), also known as logical partitions (LPARs). Each operating system (OS) runs natively on the IBM Power architecture and follows a specific version, update, and support requirements. This topic lists the supported OS versions, key technical details, and lifecycle information. The availability of specific operating systems depends on whether the Power system is deployed in an IBM data center or at a client location.
The choice between AIX, IBM i, and Linux depends on the type of the workload that you want to run on a VSI.
AIX
You can use AIX to run enterprise UNIX applications that require high availability, scalability, and system-level performance. For more information about AIX, see IBM AIX.
For information about supported AIX versions for Power Virtual Server, see Supported AIX versions for Power Virtual Server.
IBM i
You can use IBM i to run integrated business applications that rely on IBM® Db2®, Report Program Generator (RPG), or Control Language (CL) in a secure and stable environment. For more information about IBM i, see IBM i.
For information about supported IBM i versions for Power Virtual Server, see Supported IBM i versions for Power Virtual Server.
When you use IBM i for your VSI, review the following requirements:
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If you are using an older version of IBM i, you must upgrade the OS to a current support level and then migrate to Power Virtual Server. For more information about upgrading the IBM i OS, see Fast path for software installation, upgrade, and deletion tasks.
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Install the appropriate program temporary fixes (PTFs) depending on the version of IBM i that you use. For more information about the minimum PTF levels, see Minimum PTF levels for IBM i.
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The IBM i 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, and Cloud Optical Repository (COR) OS images support Power10 and later systems. However, you can create a custom image or upgrade your IBM i VSI by downloading the media from Entitled Systems Support (ESS) and navigating to the My entitled software > IBM i Evaluation and NLV Download section.
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When you upgrade an IBM i VSI that has a virtual serial number (VSN) assigned, you must contact IBM Support to update the IBM i licenses to match the new IBM i version. For more informaiton about VSN, see About VSN in IBM data center.
Linux
You can use Linux to run open source, cloud-native, or containerized workloads with flexibility by using the supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) distributions on Power Virtual Server. For more information about the supported Linux distributions, see Enterprise Linux on Power.
For information about supported Linux versions for Power Virtual Server, see Supported Linux versions for Power Virtual Server.
When you use Linux for your VSI, review the following Linux distribution options and requirements:
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Power Virtual Server in the IBM data center supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) distributions. The Linux stock images are available when you select the Full Linux Subscription (FLS) option or the bring‑your‑own‑license (BYOL) option. An FLS image refers to an IBM‑provided RHEL or SLES stock OS image that includes the full Linux subscription support that is delivered through IBM.
For more information about FLS, see Full Linux® subscription for Power Virtual Server.
SAP FLS stock images are available only in IBM data centers and are not available in the Power Virtual Server Private Cloud environments that are deployed at the client locations.
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To use your own license, select the OS image with the
-BYOLsuffix. On the Create virtual server instance page, these images are listed under the Client supplied subscription section. Alternatively, you can create your own customized Linux image in Open Virtualization Appliance (OVA) format by using the Linux stock images that are available when you select Full Linux Subscription (FLS). For more information, see Creating a custom Linux image in OVA format.
The following IBM Power Systems are supported by Red Hat and SUSE:
- IBM Power System E1180 (9080-HEU)
- IBM Power System E1150 (9043-MRU)
- IBM Power System S1122 (9824-22A)
- IBM Power System E1080 (9080-HEX)
- IBM Power System E1050 (9040-MRX)
- IBM Power System S1022 (9105-22A)
- IBM Power System E980 (9080-M9S)
- IBM Power System S922 (9009-22A)
- IBM Power System S922 (9009-22G)
For additional Linux support, refer to your distribution’s documentation. For cloud‑init configuration instructions, see Installing and configuring cloud-init on Linux.
Stock images
A stock image is an IBM‑supplied OS image that is ready for deployment on Power Virtual Server. The stock images are available for use when you deploy the VSIs. The latest version of each supported OS is provided for provisioning new Power Virtual Server instances. As an alternative, you can use your own backup copy of an OS image. This option is called bring-your-own-image (BYOI). For more information, see Deploying a custom image within IBM Power Virtual Server.
For each major version of the OS that is enabled through the offering, Power Virtual Server provides a single stock image. Power Virtual Server typically provides stock images for the last three major versions of the supported OS. Any update to the OS stock image is planned only when the image level is validated for Power Virtual Server environment. IBM Cloud sends advance notifications before it removes the unsupported stock OS images.
The VSIs can continue to run without any issues after the stock OS images are removed from the image catalog. However, you are advised to update the VSIs to the supported OS versions.
Supported AIX, IBM i, and Linux versions for Power Virtual Server
The following table lists the supported AIX, IBM i, and Linux OS versions that can be installed on Power Virtual Server instances. OS versions that are not listed in the following table are not supported and cannot be installed on a VSI.
| Processor family | Supported AIX versions | Latest stock image versions |
|---|---|---|
| Power11 | AIX 7.2 TL5 or later | AIX 7.3 TL4 SP1 AIX 7.3 TL3 SP2 AIX 7.2 TL5 SP11 |
| Power10[1] | AIX 7.2 TL5 or later | AIX 7.3 TL4 SP1 AIX 7.3 TL3 SP2 AIX 7.2 TL5 SP11 |
| Power9[2] | AIX 7.2 TL5 or later | AIX 7.3 TL4 SP1 AIX 7.3 TL3 SP2 AIX 7.2 TL5 SP11 |
| Processor family | Supported IBM i versions | Latest stock image versions |
|---|---|---|
| Power11 | IBM i 7.4 or later | IBM i COR[3] [4] IBM i 7.5 TR7 IBM i 7.4 TR12 |
| Power10 | IBM i 7.3 or later | IBM i COR IBM i 7.5 TR7 IBM i 7.4 TR12 IBM i 7.3 TR13[5] |
| Power9[6] | IBM i 7.3 or later[7] | IBM i COR IBM i 7.5 TR7 IBM i 7.4 TR12 IBM i 7.3 TR13 |
| Processor family | Supported RHEL versions | Latest stock image versions |
|---|---|---|
| Power11 |
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| Power10 |
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| Power9[8] |
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| Processor family | Supported SLES versions | Latest stock image versions |
|---|---|---|
| Power11 |
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| Power10 |
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| Power9[9] |
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System software maps
System software maps are reference documents that outline the compatibility between different OS versions and IBM Power Systems hardware. For more information about AIX, IBM i, and Linux (SUSE and RHEL) versions that are compatible with various Power Systems, refer to the following software maps:
Licensing and software components
The license for the AIX and IBM i operating systems is a part of the overall cost for the workspace. You cannot use an existing license that you have already purchased.
You can use movable IBM i OS entitlements (IBM i Moveable Operating License (MOL)) to move your existing on-premises entitlements to the Power Virtual Server. Contact IBM support to know more about IBM i MOL. For the available support resources, see Getting help and support.
Power Virtual Server supports multiple levels of RHEL and SLES. You can either use the stock Linux images that IBM provides with Full Linux Subscription or bring your own custom Linux image with vendor-provided subscription.
For more information about licensing, see:
- IBM i: /docs/power-iaas?topic=power-iaas-ibmi-lpps
- AIX: https://www.ibm.com/support/customer/csol/terms/#search-result
You must ensure compliance with all third-party software licenses that you use in your environment, including middleware, application software, monitoring tools, and any other non-IBM licensed components.
Operating system lifecycle information
Review the lifecycle information for the OSs that you deploy in the Power Virtual Server environment. You can use the following resources to plan upgrades, support, and long-term maintenance for your AIX, IBM i, and Linux-based VSIs:
Unsupported operating system versions in Power Virtual Server
You can deploy various IBM i, AIX, and Linux operating systems in Power Virtual Server environment. However, any OS version that IBM no longer supports is considered unsupported, even if the OS version still runs on the Power Virtual Server infrastructure.
You must upgrade your VSIs to a supported OS to ensure compatibility with the platform features, maintain system reliability, and receive security updates and technical support.
Risks of using unsupported operating system versions
Unsupported OS versions might continue to work in the Power Virtual Server infrastructure, but they carry significant risks and do not qualify for support, including:
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Limited feature compatibility: Power Virtual Server automation features such as Live Partition Mobility (LPM) and remote restart might not work, which can reduce application uptime during host maintenance.
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Server restart failures: The standard Power Virtual Server restart function might not work, which can cause the VSIs to remain pinned to the host and disrupt availability.
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Security vulnerabilities: Unsupported OS versions might not receive critical security updates, which can increase exposure to security threats.
Customer responsibilities
If you run an unsupported operating system version, you are responsible for managing all the associated risks and issues that might occur. You are also responsible for maintaining, updating, and supporting any custom image that is based on an unsupported OS. In addition, you acknowledge that if IBM identifies a security vulnerability or a critical issue, IBM can suspend any VSI that is running an unsupported OS in the Power Virtual Server environment.
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Power10 systems running firmware level FW1110 support AIX 7.2 TL5 and later. ↩︎
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Not available for IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud in client locations. ↩︎
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IBM i Cloud Optical Repository (COR) is a virtual image. You can deploy the image and use it as a Network File Server (NFS) to perform various IBM i tasks that require media. For more information on COR images, see Cloud Optical Repository. ↩︎
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For more information about performing an upgrade, see 57xxSS1 Option 1 or Option 3 in *ERROR - Tips Before Reinstallation. ↩︎
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IBM i 7.3 on Power Virtual Server ended normal support on 1 October 2023 and is supported with paid service extension only. Refer to the IBM i lifecycle page for upcoming EoL dates and prepare to upgrade to a later version. ↩︎
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Not available for IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud in client locations. ↩︎
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IBM i 7.1 is supported on the IBM Power9 S924 and E980 models. ↩︎
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Not available for IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud in client locations. ↩︎
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Not available for IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud in client locations. ↩︎