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.

Rack mount mobility restrictions

The rack mount system has specific mobility restrictions that must be understood before planning relocation:

Professional movers must uninstall the rack mount from the customer frame and package it in the appropriate shipping pods for transportation. Only after all IBM components are properly removed and the system is packaged can relocation proceed.

Site preparation and transportation requirements

Professional movers or riggers are required for all physical movement of the rack mount 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
• 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

When relocating the rack mount, professional movers must uninstall the rack mount from the customer frame and package it in the appropriate shipping pods. The system is packaged and shipped in a pod configuration with one or more stacked pods depending on the system configuration. Each pod group is stacked on a plastic pallet and fully enclosed in plastic corrugate sleeves.

All environmental requirements regarding temperature, humidity, condensation, and acclimation must be observed during and after relocation and during shipment. Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VpCI) cups are included in the pod container to prevent corrosion or rusting of metal components.

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

Refer to https://w3.ibm.com/w3publisher/ssr/ssr-homepage/packing-sealing for details on how to order return packaging.

Refer to the IBM z16 and LinuxONE Rockhopper 4 Rack Mount Bundle Installation Manual for Physical Planning for environmental specifications.

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.

Refer to the Capacity On-Demand User's Guide that is available on IBM Documentation (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/systems-hardware) for more information and instructions on how to remove these features.

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 Driver41 SE AROM USB Media Control Level 0015 or higher, otherwise the Support Element discontinue procedure will fail. If you only have SE AROM Control Level 0003, 0005, or 0007, you must order new AROM higher than Control Level 0015 through Quality Hotline or Code A.

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. Crypto Express6S (FC 0893), Crypto Express7S (FC 0898 or 0899), and Crypto Express8S (FC 0908 or 0909) must be zeroized prior to selling or transferring ownership. 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

Before relocating the customer frame, all IBM Z and LinuxONE rack mount components must be removed. Additionally, depending on your system configuration, you may need to plan for removal of the following hardware components:

• IBM Z components: All IBM components must be removed and uninstalled from the rack mount before relocation can proceed.
• 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:

• 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
• Plan for removal of all IBM Z and LinuxONE components before relocation
• 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
• Coordinate HMC data replication and object definition removal
• Remove Proprietary Service feature if applicable
• Gather required tools, instructions, and packing materials

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 rack mount 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)

Ensure that correct power is provided to the system. Review the information in the IBM z17 and LinuxONE Rockhopper 5 Rack Mount Bundle Safety Inspection.

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.