Planning for system relocation or discontinuance

Overview

System relocation or discontinuance requires careful planning and coordination. This topic provides essential information you need to prepare your environment and understand your responsibilities before the actual relocation or discontinuance process begins.

Site preparation and transportation requirements

Professional movers or riggers are required for all physical movement of the system. You must arrange for qualified professionals to handle the transportation.

Before the equipment arrives or is moved:

• Prepare the final installation site in advance so professional movers can transport the equipment directly to its destination within the computer room
• Ensure adequate space is available for packaging operations, including assembly of the zCrate crate
• Verify that appropriate material handling equipment is available
• Allocate sufficient time for packaging and transportation activities
• If the site cannot be prepared in time for delivery, arrange for professional movers to return at a later date to complete the transportation

Environmental packaging requirements

The system must be packaged in an zCrate crate lined with a vapor barrier bag containing desiccant packages. All environmental requirements regarding temperature, humidity, condensation, and acclimation must be observed during and after relocation and during shipment.

Four types of relocation kits are available. You must determine the correct kit type for your situation:

• Domestic ground shipment
• Domestic or World Trade air shipment
• Domestic ground shipment with reduced height
• Domestic or World Trade air shipment with reduced height

Obtain the proper relocation kit from the plant of manufacture before beginning the relocation or discontinuance process.

Technical prerequisites

Several technical requirements must be met before starting the discontinuance or relocation process:

Capacity on Demand features

Any On/Off Capacity on Demand, CIU, or CBU features must be removed and disabled before starting the discontinue process. You are contractually required to have the CIU and On/Off CoD right-to-use features (also called "Enablement" features) as well as any CBU features removed prior to transferring possession of the machine.

Support Element AROM requirements

SE AROM USB Media Control Level 0015 or higher is required for Support Element discontinuance. If you plan to perform Support Element discontinuance, ensure you have the required AROM level, otherwise the procedure will fail. If you only have SE AROM Control Level 0003, 0005, or 0007, you must order new AROM higher than Control Level 0007.

NIST 800-88 sanitization support

Enhanced support for NIST 800-88 standard sanitization requires minimum SE/HMC MCL and AROM levels. Verify that your system meets these requirements before performing any HMC/SE discontinue steps.

System configuration considerations

Review your system configuration and address the following considerations before discontinuance or relocation:

Sysplex timing links

If the system is part of a Sysplex, ensure timing links have been considered before disconnecting cables. Plan for how timing will be maintained in the remaining Sysplex configuration.

Server Time Protocol (STP)

If the system is part of a Coordinated Timing Network (CTN), ensure the system is only a member and does not have a role of preferred time server, backup time server, or arbiter. If the system has one of these roles, you must reconfigure the CTN before proceeding.

Cryptographic security

Crypto Express cards must be zeroized prior to selling or transferring ownership of the CPC. This process erases configuration data and clears all cryptographic keys. Plan for this requirement if you are transferring the system to another owner.

Trusted Key Entry (TKE) hardware

The TKE workstation is owned entirely by the customer and likely contains smart cards with customer-sensitive encryption. IBM does not require or request the TKE hardware to be returned or discontinued with the system. It is your responsibility to safely dispose of TKE hardware and run the appropriate discontinue process to prevent sensitive customer data from remaining on disposed hardware.

HMC data replication and object definitions

If Hardware Management Consoles are being discontinued, data replication must be disabled. CPC object definitions must be removed from all connected HMCs to prevent communication failure detection. If an HMC is being used as a time server for a CPC that is not being discontinued, configure another time source before removing objects and discontinuing the HMC.

Hardware removal planning

Depending on your system configuration, you may need to plan for removal of the following hardware components:

• Customer hardware: If customer hardware is installed in the Flexible Space, this hardware must be removed. Original IBM fillers must be re-installed in the empty space.
• Alternate Electronic Locking Latch: If installed, it is your responsibility to remove the electronic locking latch and any additional enabling hardware (junction box, door sensors, associated wire and cabling) and ensure that the originally supplied door latches are reinstalled prior to returning the system.
• Top hat: If height reduction is required, the top hat must be removed and packaged separately along with the Support Elements.
• Top exit enclosure feature (FC 5823) or bottom exit feature (FC 5820): If present, top exit enclosure feature (FC 5823) must be removed, but bottom exit feature (FC 5820) ships installed in the original system and should stay installed for relocation or discontinuance.
• Earthquake Kit: If installed, the ruggedized cover door latch kit and frame tie-down hardware must be removed, and the frame stiffener bracket must be installed and secured to the front and rear of the frame.
• Frame stabilizer bracket: If installed, this must be removed and packaged.
• Cryptographic feature cards: Cards requiring separate packaging must be removed and packaged appropriately.

Service state considerations

If the system will no longer be serviced by IBM or there is not an IBM-signed maintenance agreement in place, or if the system is to be discontinued or relocated to another customer, the Proprietary Service feature must be removed. This transitions the system to base service state.

Customer responsibilities checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you have completed all necessary preparations:

• Remove customer hardware from Flexible Space, and reinstall original IBM fillers
• Obtain the proper relocation kit from the plant of manufacture
• Arrange for professional movers or riggers to handle all physical transportation
• Prepare the receiving site according to installation planning information
• Ensure adequate space and time for packaging operations
• Remove and disable all On/Off Capacity on Demand, CIU, or CBU features
• Verify SE AROM USB Media Control Level 0015 or higher is available
• Address Sysplex timing link considerations
• Reconfigure STP roles if the system is a preferred time server, backup time server, or arbiter
• Plan for zeroizing Crypto Express cards if transferring ownership
• Arrange for safe disposal of TKE hardware
• Remove customer-installed electronic locking latches and reinstall original latches
• Coordinate HMC data replication and object definition removal
• Remove Proprietary Service feature if applicable

Safety considerations

Be aware of the following safety requirements:

• Electrical voltage and current from power, telephone, and communication cables are hazardous
• Proper grounding procedures must be followed to prevent electrical shock
• Electrical outlets must be correctly wired
• Any physical movement of the system should only be performed under the supervision of product-trained service representatives
• Laser safety precautions must be observed when working with fiber-optic cables (never look into the end of an optical fiber cable or open receptacle)

Next steps

After completing all planning activities and verifying that all prerequisites are met, contact your authorized service provider to schedule the relocation or discontinuance procedure. Ensure that all required materials, tools, and packing materials are available before the scheduled date.