Upgrade to newer Storage Systems before the (EoS) end-of-service date
In 2023 split between July and December, IBM will be ending support for several of its storage products, including the XIV, A9000/A9000R, V5010, V5020 and V5030 SAN storage along with TS3310 and TS3500 Tape Libraries. This means that IBM will no longer provide technical support, software updates, or security patches for these products. Clients who continue to use these products after the end of service date may be vulnerable to security risks and may experience performance issues due to outdated software.
Why upgrade to newer Storage Systems?
Clients who are still using these IBM storage products should consider upgrading to newer storage systems before the end of service date. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Security:
One of the most significant risks of using unsupported software is the potential for security vulnerabilities. Without regular security patches, clients may be at risk of cyber attacks, data breaches, and other security threats. Upgrading to a newer storage system can help ensure that data is protected against these threats.
2. Performance:
As technology advances, newer storage systems are designed to handle larger workloads, faster speeds, and more complex data. Clients who continue to use older storage systems may experience performance issues as their workload increases or their data becomes more complex. Upgrading to a newer storage system can help ensure that data is accessed and processed quickly and efficiently.
3. Compliance:
Depending on the industry, clients may be required to comply with various regulations related to data storage and security. Continuing to use unsupported software may put clients at risk of non-compliance with these regulations. Upgrading to a newer storage system that meets industry standards can help ensure compliance.
4. Support:
After the end of service date, clients who continue to use unsupported software will no longer receive technical support from IBM. This means that if issues arise, clients may be left without a solution. Upgrading to a newer storage system that is still supported by IBM can provide clients with access to technical support and resources.
5. Financial & Operational Savings:
As equipment gets older, it demands more time and resource to be dedicated to it to fix hardware faults and keep it running smoothly. This is reflected in increased maintenance charges along with an investment of man-hours away from strategic activities. All new storage hardware comes with warranty and low-priced uplifts to higher service levels, releasing annuity budget and allowing your team to concentrate on higher value tasks.
Opportunities for change and improvement
Whilst support withdrawals can be an unwelcome challenge for an organisation, seeing these as an opportunity for change rather than a straight replacement can reap significant rewards. For instance, replacing your primary storage with a new FlashSystem array which provides immutable copy support, can let you grow your cyber security capability to allow your organisation to recover quickly after an attack. Similarly, considering a more holistic approach to a tape library replacement with either virtual tape or a capability like IBM Defender, which encompasses cyber resilience on both primary and secondary storage, could provide more agile backup and recovery operations whilst improving your cyber resiliency stature to aid with compliance and regulatory requirements.
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At Northdoor, we never prescribe a solution but take the time to understand your challenges and strategic direction to provide the best advice on an approach that fits and grows with your business. We can help build a TCO Study and business case for complex IT projects and provide managed support services should you need a helping hand after deployment.
End of Service Dates
| Description | Model | End of Service |
| Storwize V7000 | 2076-524 | 31/12/2022 |
| XIV Storage System Gen 3 | 2812-214 / 2812-314 | 31/07/2023 |
| FlashSystem A9000 | 9836-425 | 31/07/2023 |
| FlashSystem A9000R | 9837-425 | 31/07/2023 |
| Storwize V5015 | 2078-112 / 2078-124 | 31/12/2023 |
| Storwize V5020 | 2078-212 / 2078-224 | 31/12/2023 |
| Storwize V5030 | 2078-312 / 2078-324 | 31/12/2023 |
If you’re looking to upgrade your IBM storage system, let Northdoor help you build a TCO study and business case to achieve full ROI in under 3 years. Check out our article on how we helped other clients invest in new capabilities while cutting storage costs, and contact us to see how we can do the same for you.
Clients interested in transition planning for the announced products for End of Service (EOS) can find details on IBM Storage Systems offerings by visiting the Resources for IBM Storage website.