Question & Answer
Question
This document provides details about how to obtain support when working with the IBM Remote Technical Support teams for versions of IBM PowerVM Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) that have reached their published “End of Support” date.
For an up-to-date list of PowerVM VIOS product versions eligible for support via the standard IBM SupportLine process, refer to the VIOS Software Lifecycle.
Answer
- VIOS 2.x is no longer eligible for support through standard IBM support process.
Standard End of Support date for version 2 is Sept 30, 2020, and the last service extension ended June 30, 2023.
No additional service extension is available for VIOS Version 2.x. This VIOS product version is no longer eligible for support through the standard IBM SupportLine process.
Current PowerVM VIOS support contracts only support “Eligible Service” versions. To receive VIOS support, customers must be at one of these “Eligible Service” versions to minimize the risk of impact to their business using product versions that are no longer elibible for support.
- Upgrading VIOS from End-Of-Life Version 2 to Version 3
IBM is committed to providing customers with options to upgrade product versions that reached End of Life.
To upgrade VIOS from Version 2, visit IBM PowerVM: Recommended upgrade paths to Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) Version 3.1.
When a support case is opened for upgrading VIOS from an "End of Support" version, IBM Remote Technical Support will direct customers to general documentation to aid with the upgrade.
For hands-on technical support or step-by-step assistance planning the VIOS upgrade, a detailed explanation or implementation of the upgrade process, IBM Remote Technical Support will refer customers to IBM Expert Lab Services team or your IBM Business Partner, and then, will proceed to close the service request. - Available options for customers who plan to continue running VIOS 2.x which has been withdrawn
For immediate assistance, work with your IBM Account Team, Business Partner, or contact IBM Expert Lab Services
For long-term (non-urgent) assistance, the Accelerated Value Program (AVP) option is available.
For customers who continue to run their business at the VIOS 2.x level (which has been withdrawn) and open a standard support case, the support team will refer customers to one of the above options based on the type of assistance needed, then proceed to the close the support case. For queries about the IBM AVP option, the support agent may be able to submit a request on your behalf that will be sent to an IBM sales representative or IBM Business Partner to contact you about this offering.
VIOS 3.1.x will reach End of Support, April 30, 2026.
Starting May 1, 2026, 3.1.x will no longer be eligible for support via the standard IBM SupportLine channel.
A Service Extension offering is available only for VIOS 3.1.4, and the VIOS must be at the latest fix pack, 3.1.4.60.
For details on how to prepare to upgrade the VIOS from Version 3 to 4, refer to the Checklist for Upgrading Virtual I/O Server (VIOS).
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Scenario #1: Your company is using an end-of-supported version of VIOS (versions prior to VIOS 3 which this includes 1.5, 2.1, 2.2.0, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, or 2.2.6) (IBM PowerVM 2.2 standard support ended September 30, 2020) (IBM PowerVM 2.2 Service Extension ended June 30, 2023 - no additional service extensions).
- As documented on the VIOS Software Lifecycle page, all PowerVM (VIOS) versions prior to V3 are no longer eligible to receive support. The VIOS 2.2 standard end of service date ended Sept 30, 2020 and the VIOS 2.2 service extension date ended June 30, 2023. No additional service extensions are available for VIOS 2.2. Customers must upgrade to VIOS 3 in order to be eligible to receive support.
- As a reminder, Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM) is "End of Support" as of September 2019 when VIOS Version 2.2.5 reached end of life.
- IBM understands companies may have specific business requirements or obstacles that may impact their ability to upgrade to an "In Support" version of VIOS. For these situations, the Remote Technical Support teams will refer customers to their local IBM account representative to discuss a custom and fee-based support agreement to meet their business needs, then proceed with closing the support case.
- Already published VIOS updates or fix levels on Fix Central will continue to be available for download. However, IBM will not create, publish, or deliver any new update, fix, interim fix, or security fix for known or new defects, regardless of business impact.
- For assistance with "Out of Scope" questions and issues (e.g. migration planning and implementation assistance, performance tuning, system or data recovery, and consulting) associated with VIOS releases that are "End of Support", the IBM Remote Technical Support teams will work to transition the situation to an IBM Services team to provide product specific assessment and assistance. Then, the Remote Technical Support teams will proceed with closing the support case. For more information about this service, contact IBM Services directly, engage your local IBM account representative, or call your local IBM phone number. Click here for a directory of worldwide phone numbers. Your company can earn and may have earned rewards points on purchases of IBM Power Systems servers, including Power9, which can be redeemed for free service assistance. For more details, check out the IBM Power to Cloud Rewards Program or contact your local IBM account representative. If assistance is needed to transition to the services team, simply ask the Remote Technical Support teams for more information.
- For customers migrating from one of the "End of Support" versions of VIOS to an "In Support" version, and a support case is opened, the IBM Remote Technical Support teams will direct you to general documentation to aid with the VIOS migration and/or refer you to an IBM Services team or your IBM Business Partner to provide hands-on assistance to complete the migration. The Remote Technical Support teams will then proceed with closing the support case.
- If you company chooses to continue to run PowerVM (VIOS) 2.2, which is no longer eligible to receive support, which puts your business at risk, IBM strongly recommended upgrade to the latest PowerVM 2.2 level (2.2.6.65) to minimize your risk of experiencing any known defects at the PowerVM 2.2 level. However, when using the latest VIOS 2.2 is no longer eligible to receive support. For customers that would like or have a business (audit) requirement for continued support for products past their life cycle, contact the IBM Accelerated Value Program team for options available for your business.
Scenario #2: Your company is using VIOS on Power Hardware Architecture not Verified by IBM.
- Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM) on VIOS 2.2.6 with a valid IBM PowerVM Service Extension. Click here for more details.
- VIOS version 3.1 on Power7 Systems and older hardware. VIOS 3.1.0, 3.1.1, and 3.1.2 are verified and supported on Power7+. , Power8, and Power9. Click here for VIOS 3.1 hardware requirements.
- To determine which versions of PowerVM VIOS are compatible with various Power Systems processors, refer to the System Software Maps for your specific machine type and model.
- For cross-product compatibility, refer to the Fix Level Recommendation Tool (FLRT) > Power System Recommendations web based tool.
Scenario #3: Your company has purchased the IBM PowerVM 2.2 Service Extension.
- Although your company may have previously purchased a PowerVM (VIOS) 2.2 service extension, all VIOS 2.2 service extensions end June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, VIOS 2.2 is no longer eligible for support. As documented on the VIOS Software Lifecycle page, these versions and releases have reached the published "End of Support" date and standard technical support may no longer be available from the IBM Remote Technical Support teams without having purchased extended support.
- As a reminder, Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM) reached end of support in September 2019 when VIOS version 2.2.5 reached end of life.
- Already published VIOS updates or fix levels on Fix Central will continue to be available for download. However, IBM will not create, publish, or deliver any new update, fix, interim fix, or security fix for known or new defects, regardless of business impact.
Since VIOS 2.2 is no longer eligible for support, requests for support and recovery assistance are considered "Beyond the Scope" as well as these topics as documented in the IBM Support Guide, such as:
- Root cause analysis
- Performance analysis or tuning
- Troubleshooting or assistance with customer's code customization
- Answering extensive configuration questions
- Data recovery
- Consulting
- Interpretation or triage of customer or third party generated defect scanning reports
Customers needing assistance with "Out of Scope" activities will be directed to an IBM services team or their IBM Business Partner, then the Remote Technical Support teams will proceed to close the case.- Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM) is no longer eligible to receive support. Click here for more details.
Question #2:This is a test 2
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Modified date:
15 January 2026
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ibm16245738