IBM Support

Planning to upgrade to IBM i 7.6 (Software)

General Page

Planning to upgrade to IBM i 7.6 (Software)


Software planning

The following products and functions are not supported on IBM i 7.6.  Plans should be made to replace or discontinue use of these products and functions prior to upgrading to IBM i 7.6.  

If you are upgrading from 7.4 to 7.6, you should also review the products and functions that were removed from support in 7.5 listed on Planning to upgrade to IBM i 7.5 (Software).

Additional details about changes in IBM i 7.6 are available on IBM i 7.6 - Base Enhancements as well as in the Memo to users.

IBM i functions

Packaging (LPP, Installable Option, Menu Option)

Replacement product information

Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) server

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

A replacement function is the Internet Systems Consortium's (ISC) DHCP Server called Kea. This is not the only replacement product available. Other companies may also offer function which provides a DHCP server.

Native Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

A replacement function is the Internet Systems Consortium's (ISC) DHCP Server called Kea. This is not the only replacement product available. Other companies may also offer function which provides a DHCP server.

Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS)

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

None

Domain Name System (DNS) Server

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) option 31

There are many external DNS servers available in the marketplace that can be leveraged.

Route Daemon (RouteD)

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

IBM i's OMPROUTED is an alternative to RouteD. OMPROUTED supports RIP, RIP next generation (RIPng) for Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing protocols.

Virtual Private Network (VPN) Internet Key Exchange version 1 (IKEv1) protocol

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

IBM i's more modern and secure replacement is VPN IKEv2 protocol.

IP Payload Compression protocol (IPComp)

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

IPComp is supported with IKEv1 but not IKEv2. Because IKEv1 is being withdrawn, IPComp is also being withdrawn.

Quality of Service (QoS) Server

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

None

FAX (IBM Facsimile Support for i)

5798-FAX

Replacement Fax solutions include these products:
- CloudFax from International Presence
- FastFax from Fresche Solutions
- BlueSeries Fax from System & Method A/S

These are not the only replacement products available. Other companies may also offer function which provides a Fax solution.

FRCA (Fast Response Cache Accelerator) for HTTP Server

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

The IBM HTTP Server for i (Powered by Apache) has several built-in caching options.

Performance Graphics

Function in Performance Tools for i (5770-PT1)

Navigator for i

Performance Advisor

Function in Performance Tools for i (5770-PT1)

None

Graphical Data Display Manager (GDDM)

IBM i (5770-SS1) option 14

None

OptiConnect

IBM i (5770-SS1) option 23

The main use of OptiConnect is for ObjectConnect (another installable option of 5770-SS1) to run over virtual OptiConnect. Running ObjectConnect over IP with TLS (Transport Layer Security) is an alternative.

Binary Synchronous Communications (Bisync) protocol

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

None

Point to Point Protocol (PPP) and Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)

Function in IBM i (5770-SS1) base

None

IBM Rational Development Studio for i Application Development Toolset is withdrawing selected tools:
- Report Layout Utility (RLU)
- Screen Design Aid (SDA)
- File Compare and Merge Utility (FCMU)
- Advanced Printer Function (APF)
- Character Generator Utility (CGU)
- Data File Utility (DFU)

Rational Development Studio for i (5770-WDS) option 21

There are several options for replacement, including Rational Developer for i, Code for i, and others.

Business Graphics Utility

5761-DS2

There are several options for replacement, including Rational Developer for i, Code for i, and others.

IBM Technology for Java 11 64bit

5770-JV1 option 19

Use supported Java releases, such as Java 8 or Java 17.

Management Central

Installed as part of the operating system

The only access to Management Central is through Access for Windows which was removed from support in April 2019.

IBM Universal Manageability Enablement

5770-UME

None

CICS Transaction Server for i 5770-DFH
There is no direct replacement for IBM CICS Transaction Server for i.  The best option is to migrate to IBM i native options such as CL commands, Rest API, or other custom applications. A company that provides consulting services for migrating clients from CICS Transaction Server for i to IBM i native options, such as CL commands, Rest API, or other custom applications, is HiComp (http://www.hicompllc.com).  This is not the only company that offers such migration services.  Other companies may also offer services for migrating customers from CICS Transaction Server for i.   
XML Toolkit for i 5733-XT2 5733-XT2 and all options have gone out of service starting September 2023. Among the replacement products for XML Toolkit for i are IBM Db2 for i support for XML, noxDB, and eXpat. Other companies may also offer function which replaces XML Toolkit for i.
Non-expiring license for IBM Backup, Recovery and Media Services for i 5770-BR1 Use 5770-BR2.


Additional resources

[{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB68","label":"Power HW"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU070","label":"IBM Infrastructure"},"Product":{"code":"SWG60","label":"IBM i"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"a8m0z0000000C4BAAU","label":"IBM i"}],"ARM Case Number":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF012","label":"IBM i"}],"Version":"7.6.0"}]

Document Information

Modified date:
30 May 2025

UID

ibm17183543