IBM Support

DS8000 Code Recommendation

Preventive Service Planning


Abstract

DS8000 Code Recommendation

Content

This generalized recommendation is made available to assist Clients in implementing a code update strategy. It is a full field perspective, and as such, a customized recommendation, which takes into account specifics such as business upgrade windows, length of time since last update, decommission plans, etc., may require assistance from local support teams.    

IBM recommends Clients evaluate code update / value options annually.  

In the following table, the levels shown under the Minimum Installed Level heading, are considered stable release levels. Clients running at or above these levels may remain in place unless an update is required for specific fixes or new function.  

The levels shown under the Recommended "go-to" Level heading are considered stable release levels, that have accumulated a reasonable amount of runtime in Client environments, and/or contain critical fixes. Clients who are planning to upgrade code, should choose a level from this column, unless a higher level is required for specific fixes or new function.  

DS8A00 code stream(s) actively being maintained: 10.1x.xx.xx  
DS8900F code stream(s) actively being maintained: 89.4x.xx.xx  
NOTE: Neither fixes, nor root cause analysis, will be provided for code bundle levels below minimum.  

The word "must" in the notes below refers to bundles resolving specific problems for a targeted subset of DS8000 systems and communicated via My Notifications to clients, or ECA (Engineering Change/Field Actions) Information Alerts to IBM Service colleagues.  

In this document, text highlighted in blue denotes a hyperlink to additional information.  
   
Notice:

Please review your My Notifications subscription options.  
(https://www.ibm.com/support/mynotifications)  
Note: Subscriptions for DS8900F do not automatically receive notifications specific to DS8A00.  

Call-home server IP address changes require:  
--> DS8000 Code update (ICS), and Client firewall and/or proxy updates prior to 1 March, 2024, and  
--> Implement FQDN filtering prior to 1 November 2024.

Remote Code Load is supported for all DS8A00 and DS8900F systems.

ModelMinimum  
Installed Level		Recommended  
"go to" Level		Latest Level 
DS8A00 (R10.1)
R10.1 GA - 10.10.106.0
[Sep 2025]  ( 61, 62, 65 )
R10.1 GA - 10.10.106.0
[Sep 2025]  ( 61, 62, 65 )
R10.1 SP1 - 10.11.30.0
[Dec 2025]  ( 61, 62, 67 )
 
DS8A00 (R10.0)
R10.0 SP1 - 10.0.245.0
[Nov 2024]  ( 61, 62, 63, 64 )
R10.1 GA - 10.10.106.0
[Sep 2025]  ( 61, 62, 65 )
R10.0 SP2.2 - 10.2.45.0
[Aug 2025]  ( 61, 62, 66 )
 
DS8900F (R9.4)R9.4 GA - 89.40.83.0  
[Dec 2023]  ( 48, 53, 56, 57, 59, 60, 63 )		R9.4 SP2 - 89.42.18.0  
[Nov 2024]  ( 63 )

R9.4 SP4.2 - 89.44.17.0  
[Dec 2025]

 
Move to the recommended R9.4 microcode level
 
   
Footnotes:
 
 

The following footnotes apply only to the code levels where cited above.  
Click the blue links at the left for more information.

Note 48:  DS8900F Clients using Transparent Cloud Tiering (TCT) are recommended to be on R9.4 SP1.1 - 89.41.25.0 or higher.  
Note 53:  DS8900F Clients running Safeguarded Copy must be on R9.3 SP3.5 - 89.33.51.0 / R9.4 GA3 - 89.40.93.0 or higher   
Note 56:  Customers running applications that use ESSNI API, (e.g Spectrum Control, IBM i CS Toolkit, VMware SRM) on R9.4, must go to R9.4 SP1 -      89.41.23.0, or higher.  
Note 57:  DS8900F CKD systems using Remote Pair Flashcopy (Preserve Mirror) must be on  R9.4 SP1.2 - 89.41.25.0 or higher.  
Note 58:  Customers using Safeguarded Copy, and are moving to R9.4 SP1, must go to R9.4 SP1.2 - 89.41.25.0 or higher  
Note 59:  DS8900F systems configured with heterogeneous Flash Tiers (e.g. High Perfornance and High Capacity), must go to R9.4 SP1.2 - 89.41.25.0 or higher  
Note 60:  DS8900F systems using zHyperLink on 89.40.83.0 or 89.40.89.0 Recommended to be on R9.4 GA3 - 89.40.93.0 or higher.  
Note 61:  DS8A00 zHyperLink users must be at R10.0 SP1.1 - 10.1.3.0 or above, AND z15  MCL  S95 or z16 MCL S40.  
                   Do not physically attach the zHyperLink cable to the DS8A00 system until you have both items. 
                   Systems below z15 do not support zHyperLink on DS8A00.
Note 62:  DS8A00 Clients using PPRC with legacy DS8900F and earlier systems must review the content linked to this footnote.    
Note 63:  DS8A00 Clients connecting to z17 must be on R10.0 SP2.1 - 10.2.43.0 or higher.    
                   DS8900F Clients connecting to z17 are recommended to be at R9.4 SP3.1 - 89.43.9.0 or higher. 
Note 64:  DS8A00 potential undetected data loss on systems running PPRC/Safeguarded Copy, with FCM drives, and Space Release  
Note 65:  DS8A00 users running Transparent Cloud Tiering, must not install R10.1 GA - 10.10.106.0. 
                    TCT function is restored in R10.1 SP1 - 10.11.30.0.
Note 66:  DS8A00 users on 10.2.45.0, and  running CSM on HMC, must reinstall CSM 6.3.15 using DS CLI installsoftware function.
Note 67:  DS8A00 SP1 - 10.11.30.0 contains new Transparent Cloud Tiering Compression functionality, that is disabled by default.
                    Clients wishing to use these new features should contact IBM Support for further assistance.

 
 

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Document Information

Modified date:
15 December 2025

UID

ssg1S1004456

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