Re: Long term storage of iSeries

As the discussion has progressed I understand that you do need to physically keep the system. I would expect that for a while you'll be accessing the data more frequently and keeping the thing running during that phase makes sense. Once your frequency of access falls to less than once per month then I think it makes sense to power it down.

For long term storage a few things:

1) Your power down needs to absolutely be a normal power down. Better yet go to restricted condition for a half and hour then do power down. Best possible chance that RAID caches are flushed.

2) Replace the button battery on the FSP card. It's about $4 and that will help keep the FSP settings.

3) Be sure that the unit is stored in a location where it won't be overheated (unlikely) or more importantly won't ever get cold enough to condense. In your computer room obviously is a great location if it can stay there.

4) IF it can be plugged in that's better too as it will hold the settings on the FSP that way (the FSP stays running that way)..

5) The '90 day' or whatever timeout requiring IBM's help is FUD. There may have been that 'a long time ago' but as an example I fired up a 170 with V4R4 that had sit for a minimum of 3 years since it last saw power. It's battery was dead and it had no idea on data or time but it came right up.

6) It has been mentioned to have multiple SAVE 21's from the system. DUH. :-)

- Larry "DrFranken" Bolhuis


On 6/9/2011 4:48 AM, Terry, Guy wrote:

We no longer use our iSeries (model 520), but have to keep it until at least 2018 (for legal reasons to do with the data).

Our maintenance will expire this year, and will not be renewed. What is the best way to 'store' the iSeries so that it has the best chance of being operational should we ever need to access the data on it in, say, 7 years time?

Leave it switched on 24 x 7 (not my preferred solution).
Leave it switched off until we need it.
Leave it switched off, but power it on once in a while (how often?).

Thanks for any advice you can give. If anyone has links to IBM advice that I can show to the boss that would be even better.

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