System Unique Identifier

I'll check the archives later; this isn't exactly a question about the 
procedure and/or requirements for obtaining a SUID from IBM though that's what 
I'm after. (And if anyone has solid knowledge, I wouldn't mind hearing it.)

This is about the difficulty I'm having getting info from IBM on the procedure. 
The difficulty is just beginning. I've only made three general queries of IBM, 
so I haven't gone deep into it yet because other issues have been taking my 
time. But even so, the single response I did receive from our CE seems nowhere 
near sufficient.

When asked during a hardware maintenance visit, our CE simply replied "Isn't 
that a software call?" I didn't dig deep there either, but it wasn't clear that 
he really knew what a SUID was.

Almost two weeks ago, right after talking with the CE, I sent a query to the 
ASKIBM e-mail address, asking for the procedure and requirements for obtaining 
a SUID. A few minutes later, I sent a query into iSeries Nation asking the same 
question. Unfortunately, I could no longer find the iSeries Nation e-mail 
address on the web site for asking questions for members; I only found what 
seemed to be a kind of web site feedback link which possibly wasn't appropriate.

Anyway, neither query has produced even an acknowledgement much less an actual 
response.

It kind of makes me nervous.

Is there anybody at IBM any more?

Is the SUID hardware or software? It's certainly hardware related -- a 
load-source drive replacement and subsequent reload of OS/400 is what prompted 
the need for a SUID.

I've never been pleased that SUIDs have been needed, and I know others have 
felt similarly. From my reading of State of Washington model and actual 
contract language, I'm confident that SUIDs would violate contract terms unless 
they were freely available within one business day under the so-called 
'Self-Help Code' provisions.

Does anybody else think it's time IBM dropped these things? Exactly what good 
do they provide -- other than the obvious money for hardware maintenance 
contracts and, I suppose, possible stolen property protection?

Tom Liotta

-- 
Tom Liotta
The PowerTech Group, Inc.
19426 68th Avenue South
Kent, WA 98032
Phone  253-872-7788 x313
Fax    253-872-7904
http://www.powertech.com


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