Virtual Serial Number - Overview
IBM i allows you to order Virtual Serial Numbers for Power9 and Power10 servers. You can acquire a Virtual Serial Number (VSN) and assign it to a logical partition. IBM i software can then be ordered or transferred to the VSN instead of being tied to a physical IBM Power machine’s serial number. Having the IBM i entitlement, keys, and support entitlement on a VSN provides you with the flexibility to move the partition to a different Power machine.
VSN requirements
- A Power9 or Power10 server - IBM Power S914 (9009-41A, 9009-41G), IBM Power S922 (9009-22A, 9009-22G), IBM Power S924 (9009-42A, 9009-42G), IBM Power E980 (9080-M9S), and IBM Power E1080 (9080-HEX) running firmware level FW950 (or later)
- HMC Version 9.2.950 (or later)
- IBM i 7.4, 7.3, 7.2 - minimum IBM i TR level/PTFs
| IBM i 7.4 TR3 | IBM i 7.3 TR9 | IBM i 7.2 |
|---|---|---|
| MF67721 | MF67723 | MF67853 |
| MF67863 | MF67862 | MF67861 |
| MF68035 | MF68042 | MF67871 |
| SI74470 | SI74682 | SI74687 |
VSN ordering and considerations
- Purchase EVSN feature and specify the necessary quantity
- When the order is installed, request the CoD activation code under Power Capacity on Demand > Virtual Serial Number (VSN). The activation code contains the reserved VSNs upon the order - it has seven digits and it is a unique string
- Install the CoD activation code on your power machine under Hardware Management Console (HMC) Capacity on Demand > CoD functions > Enter CoD Code
- The default customer number for the VSNs is the same as the physical hardware
- After the VSNs are added to inventory, the customer number that was assigned to them cannot be changed
- 4850-VSN is an inventory record for each VSN, similar to physical machine inventory records. It is created specifically for VSNs. The 4850-VSN is associated with each VSN at IBM’s inventory records.
- SNs are tied to the software tier on which the VSN was ordered and created. For example, I order VSNs on a 9009-22G (S922) which is at a P10 software tier. My VSNs inherit the P10 software tier. That P10 tier VSN can move to other P10 tier machines under the same HMC.
You can access the new VSN functions under My entitled hardware > Power Capacity on Demand application in ESS.
The VSN functions are based on IBM customer numbers that are linked to your IBMid profile in ESS and is using two authorizations:
- View Inventory, Elastic orders, Enterprise Pools, Storage license keys and selected Capacity on Demand information - allows you to browse existing hardware with their VSN-related details, as well as any previously generated VSNs
- Order software updates, buy Elastic days, manage Enterprise Pools and buy credits for them, and create Virtual Serial Numbers - allows you to create new VSNs and their CoD codes
The new option allows you to generate new Virtual Serial Numbers and their related Capacity on Demand (CoD) activation code.
For reference for VSNs' code history or currently requested activation code for your physical machine, you can go to My Entitled Hardware > Power Capacity on Demand > Virtual Serial Numbers > Machine overview and VSN codes history table.
After the VSNs are generated, know how to activate them in the FAQ page.
For other questions, contact ESS Support.