Overview
IBM i and AIX can now run in the cloud on real IBM Power hardware. That opens new options for disaster recovery, data-centre exits and development environments, while keeping the platform and applications you trust.
VSR Tech helps you decide what belongs in the cloud, moves it safely and supports it afterwards. We also support the Microsoft Azure and AWS services that often sit alongside your Power systems.
What we cover
IBM Power Virtual Server
- Landing zone design: workspaces, networks, subnets and connectivity
- Sizing of IBM i and AIX partitions, storage tiers and licences
- Secure connectivity to your data centre and offices
- Backup and recovery for cloud partitions
- Day-to-day operations, monitoring and patching after go-live
Disaster recovery in the cloud
- Replace or supplement a secondary data centre with cloud DR
- Replication with PowerHA, logical replication tools or storage-based options
- Documented failover and failback procedures
- Regular DR tests with timed, written results
Migration to the cloud
- Assessment of which systems to move, and in which order
- Migration methods to suit your downtime window: save and restore, mksysb images or replication
- Rehearsal migrations before the real cut-over
- Rollback plan and post-migration validation
Microsoft Azure and AWS support
- Virtual machines, networking, storage and identity
- Monitoring and alerting with Azure Monitor and Amazon CloudWatch
- Backup, patching and security baselines
- Cost reviews and right-sizing
- Hybrid connectivity between your Power systems and cloud applications
Hybrid integration
- Connect IBM i and AIX data to cloud analytics and reporting
- Expose on-premises services to cloud applications through secure APIs
- Send backups to cloud object storage for off-site retention
Our approach
- Assess. We review your systems, dependencies, licences and recovery needs.
- Design. We design the target environment, connectivity and security.
- Migrate. We rehearse first, then cut over in an agreed window with a rollback plan.
- Run. We support the environment day to day, with monitoring, patching and cost reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Can IBM i really run in the cloud?
Yes. IBM Power Virtual Server runs IBM i and AIX on IBM Power hardware in IBM Cloud data centres, so your applications run the same way they do on premises.
Is cloud DR cheaper than a second data centre?
It can be, because you keep minimal resources running until you need to fail over. We model the costs for your environment before you decide.
Do you support Azure and AWS without IBM Power?
Yes. We support Azure and AWS environments on their own as well as in hybrid setups with IBM i and AIX.