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September 4, 2026: Toolkit version 5.3 has been released, and note that version 4.6 is going out of support on January 1st, 2027.
PowerHA Tools maintenance provides support for code issues, runtime support and upgrades. Customers are responsible for contacting IBM Technology Expert Labs (formerly Lab Services) either via opening a support case for issues or sending an email to iessspt@us.ibm.com for code updates.
To check the PowerHA Tools version and build date, issue this command:
DSPDTAARA QZRDHASM/BUILDFor maintenance of the PowerHA Tools, customer is required to have both an IBM i Software Maintenance Agreement (i.e. SWMA) as a prerequisite, and and active toolkit maintenance agreement. Subscription-based licenses include maintenance for the duration of the subscription. For example, the table below indicates that toolkit version 4.5 functioned on IBM i 7.2, however because there is no SWMA is available for IBM i 7.2 the toolkit is no longer maintained to function on IBM i 7.2.
Prior announcements:
Support for IBM i 7.6 is available in 5.2 with build dates >= September 26th, 2025, and all 5.3 versions.
PowerVS FSR Clients should be on toolkit version 5.2, the June 15th, 2026 build or newer (controller only)
Clients using FSFC with 5770BR2 should be on toolkit version 5.2, the March 26th, 2025 build or newer.
NOTE regarding IBM Storage FlashSystem firmware 8.7.0.0:
IBM Storage Virtualize version 8.7.0.0 for FlashSystem and SVC removed unsecure ciphers which affects the toolkit's ability to connect using ssh. Clients who upgrade to 8.7.0.0 or newer should also upgrade to PowerHA Tools 5.2 (June 25th 2024 build or newer), which uses REST API's instead of ssh. RUNSVCCMD continues to use ssh and you will need to contact our team at iessspt@us.ibm.com to resolve this.
IBM HMC firmware V11R2 also removed unsecure ciphers which affects the toolkit's ability to connect using ssh. Clients who upgrade to V11R2 or newer should upgrade to PowerHA Tools 5.3, which uses REST API's instead of ssh.
An alternative is to install a fork of Jsch which is compatible with the different ciphers: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7165103
It is recommended that all 5.2 PowerHA Tools users should be at a minimum FlashSystem firmware level of 8.7.0.4.
ALERT! DSCLI 7.9.4X.XX and above requires a toolkit build from January 2026 or newer.
| Version | Supported | Build Date | IBM i OS Support | Required CSM Levels | Upgrade From | Supported Source Version | Notes | BRMS Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | Yes | September 4th, 2026 | 7,.4, 7.5, 7.6 | >= 6.3.9 | 5.2 | 5.3, 5.2 | HMC communicates via REST APIs. FSR 3-site w CSM+DS8K | Works with 5770-BR1 and BR2 |
| 5.2 | Yes | October 13th, 2026 | 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 | >= 6.3.9 | 4.6, 5.1 | 5.2, 5.1, 4.6 | Major update for Policy-Based replication, Volume-Group flashcopy, and SafeGuarded Copy without CSM, see Note 2 below this table | Works with 5770-BR1 and BR2 on builds March 26,2025 and newer. |
| 5.1 | No | September 20th, 2023 | 7.4, 7.5 | >= 6.3.1 | 4.6 | 5.1, 4.6 | Major update for PowerVS functionality | |
| 4.6 | Through 2026 | January 30th, 2026 | 7.3, 7.4, 7.5 | >= 6.3.1 | 4.5, 4.4 | 4.6, 4.5 | Many significant updates | Works with 5770-BR1 only |
| 4.5 | No | February 21st, 2022 | 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 | 6.2.5 - 6.3.1 | 4.4, 4.3 | 4.5, 4.4, 4.3 | Required Upgrade for any PowerHA Tool version older than December 2021 | Works with 5770-BR1 only |
| 4.4 | No | Any | None | <= 6.2.8 | 4.3 | 4.4 | Upgrade required to a supported PowerHA Tool release. Support for runtime issues provided through maintenance agreement, but no code updates will be provided. | |
| 4.3 | No | Any | None | <= 6.2.8 | 4.3 | Upgrade required to a supported PowerHA Tool release. | ||
| 3.1 | No | Any | None | Upgrade required to a supported PowerHA Tool release. |
| Replication | Flashcopy | Detach? | Flash from PPRC Target? | VGFC SGC? | CSM SGC? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBR | CG (V1) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| PBR | VG (V2) | Yes | Yes2 | Yes | Yes1 |
| GMIR | CG (V1) | No | No | No | Yes |
| GMIR | VG (V2) | No | No | Yes | Yes1 |
| MMIR | CG (V1) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| MMIR | VG (V2) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes1 |
| GMCV | CG (V1) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| GMCV | VG (V2) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes1 |
| GRS | PowerVS Clone | Yes | No | N/A3 | N/A2 |
- Only supported with CSM 6.3.11 or above and minimum 8.7.0.1 LTS IBM Storage FlashSystem / IBM Storage Virtualize code
- Max supported volumes per LPAR is currently 127 (but there is a workaround).
- PowerVS does not have support for SGC.
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Document Information
Modified date:
13 October 2026
UID
ibm16560768