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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.

DS8900F code stream(s) actively being maintained: 89.4x.xx.xx

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:
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 DS8900F systems.

Model Minimum
Installed Level
Recommended
"go to" Level
Latest Level
DS8900F (R9.4) R9.4 GA - 89.40.83.0
[Dec 2023]  ( 53, 56, 57, 59, 60 )
R9.4 SP1.2 - 89.41.25.0
[Jun 2024]
R9.4 SP1.2 - 89.41.25.0
[Jun 2024]
DS8900F (R9.3)
R9.3 GA - 89.30.68.0
[May 2022]  ( 48, 49, 51, 53, 54 )
R9.3 SP2.1 - 89.32.40.0
[Feb 2023]  ( 48, 52, 53, 5457 )
R9.3 SP3.6 - 89.33.52.0
[Jun 2024]
DS8900F (R9.2)
R9.2 SP1.2 - 89.21.31.0
[Jan 2022]  ( 48, 49, 51, 53, 54 )
R9.3 SP2.1 - 89.32.40.0
[Feb 2023]  ( 48, 52, 53, 5457 )
R9.2 SP2.2 - 89.22.19.0 
[Dec 2022]  ( 48, 53, 54 )
Move to the recommended R9.3 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) Recommended to be on R9.4 SP1.1 - 89.41.23.0 or higher. 
Note 49: DS8900F Clients running XRC are strongly encouraged to be on R9.3 SP1 - 89.31.26.0 / R9.2 SP2.2 - 89.22.19.0 or higher.
Note 51: DS8900F Clients running PPRC are recommended to be on R9.3 SP2.1 - 89.32.40.0 / R9.2 SP2.2 - 89.22.19.0 or higher.
Note 52: For DS8900F Clients using LDAP, recommended go-to level is R9.3 SP3.1 - 89.33.40.0 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 54: Potential DS8900F Data Loss during a power failure event
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 R9.3 SP3.6 - 89.33.52.0 / 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.

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Document Information

Modified date:
16 September 2024

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ssg1S1004456