IBM i software keys - Overview
In the IBM i software keys application you can easily manage, update, and access IBM i software keys for all your Power systems in one place.
- Access and manage IBM i software keys for perpetual, subscription, and temporary licenses.
- Generate interim keys.
Requirements
- System access is determined by your IBMid profile, which displays machine serial numbers based on linked customer numbers and "Manage keys" authorization.
- Only IBM i version 5.3 and later are supported.
- Access is limited to operating system versions officially supported for your specific hardware.
IBM i products and features which require software keys
The following IBM i products and features require an active software key:
- IBM i Operating System software keys are needed for the operating system, processor entitlements, and, for certain server models, also user entitlements.
- Licensed Program Products (LPPs) certain LPPs, such as DB2 Mirroring for i, require additional operating system keys as part of their enablement.
- Additional IBM i software products including Backup, Recovery and Media Services (BRMS), Rational Development Studio, PowerHA SystemMirror for i, Db2 Mirroring for i and Cloud Storage for i require active software keys.
For a comprehensive list of IBM i products that require software keys, see the IBM i portfolio simplification document found at IBM i License topics
License types for IBM i
- Subscription licenses
- Subscription licenses are available in prepaid terms from 1 to 5 years.
- Renewal of subscription licenses can be automatic.
- Perpetual licenses
- Perpetual licenses don't have an expiration date.
- Perpetual licenses include 1 to 5 years of support.
- There is an option to renew support separately.
- Temporary licenses
- Temporary licenses are provided for 1 to 12 months.
- Temporary licenses do not include support or renewal options.
Not all hardware platforms support every license type, and subscription and perpetual licenses for the same product cannot be used concurrently on the same server. For more information, see the product's announcement details in IBM Announcements .
Backup keys are not supported in ESS. To request 2-year backup keys for your Capacity Back-up machine, contact your IBM Business Partner or IBM representative.
Activation of subscription licenses
When you purchase subscription licenses together with the hardware, software license keys are provided on the shipment of the hardware system. Generally, the start date for the subscription license keys is aligned with the status of the hardware - "Shipped" and "Installed". The activation start date of the subscription license keys depends also on the time when keys are first accessed in Software Keys and Subscription Codes > IBM i software keys > Download keys. The download action activates subscription keys and initiates a start date.
- Subscription software license keys accessed after hardware installation
License keys have an automatic start date aligned with the installation date of the hardware.
You can access license keys in Download keys.
- Subscription software license keys accessed before hardware installation
Subscription license keys get a start date the same as the date when they are downloaded.
You can access your subscription license keys while your hardware is in status "Shipped". Accessing license keys in Download keys initiates a start date for the subscription. Shipped software maintenance is sufficient to retrieve license keys. Each key you download gets an extra 14 days of grace period on top of your current subscription expiration.
In case, subscription keys are download while the hardware is still in status "Shipped", you can request the start date for the license keys to be recalculated. Contact ESS Support after the hardware is installed, to align it with that date.
Setting an end date for subscription licenses
ESS is aggregating all subscriptions for a given product and provides one key with total quantity and the expiration date of the shortest subscription.
For products available both as standalone and within bundles, quantities are combined for key issuance. The bundle’s key expiration date follows the same rule as standalone subscriptions.
If your current license keys are shorter than your current shortest active subscription, contact ESS Support to get the current keys reset.
For example,
I have 2 subscriptions: quantity 2 - End date: Dec 31st, 2026 quantity 3 - End date: Dec 31st, 2027 My current key has: quantity 5 - End date: Dec 31st, 2026 + 14 days = Jan 14th, 2027 (the shortest subscription + 14 days) On Dec 17, 2026 (14 days before Dec 31st, 2026 - the shortest subscription expiration), ESS will provide a new key for: quantity 3 End date: Dec 31st, 2027 + 14 days = Jan 14th, 2028
Renewals
- Software keys for subscription renewals are generated for up to two years plus extra 14 days after the end period.
- Software keys for subscription renewals become available for download 14 days before the previous keys expire.
- In general, new keys become available 28 days before the current subscription keys expire.
- For multiple subscriptions covering a single product, the newly issued keys will reflect the cumulative active quantities and the earliest expiration date among them.
Notifications
Email notifications can be enabled to alert you when new software orders become available on Entitled Systems Support (ESS). Notifications are sent for subscription, perpetual, and temporary license purchases.
Currently, email notifications are not available for subscription renewals or software key expiration, including subscription, temporary, backup, or interim keys.
To update your notification preferences, select My Profile > Notifications.
Troubleshooting
Why can’t I see software keys for my IBM i products?
Several factors may affect the visibility of software keys for your products:
- Subscription expiration dates may have lapsed.
- Licenses may be assigned to different machines; transfer them via Inventory Migration if supported.
- License versions may require upgrading; use Software Updates for eligible upgrades.
- Customer numbers for your licenses may not be within the same legal enterprise as your machine.
For troubleshooting, use Inventory Explorer under My Inventory > Inventory Explorer. If the issue persists, contact ESS Support
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