Talsco Weekly: IBM's 2040 Vision for IBM i

Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

IBM i Brief: 💻 IBM Power Systems Roadmap Extends to 2040. 📺 Future of Power: What is next? 💻 IBM i 7.6 Announced with Major Security Updates.
Development: 💻 LISTAGG Function Gets Distinct Results Enhancement. 🔄 EGL Parser Simplifies Legacy Code Management. 🎥 VS Code Extension Makes SQL Tasks Easier.
Learning: 📚 IBM i Guided Tours. 🎡 Disney Hosts POWERUp 2025 for IBM i Pros.

IBM i Brief

💻 IBM Power Systems Roadmap Extends to 2040

IBM's hardware and software roadmap for Power Systems and IBM i shows remarkable stability and predictability.

The just-announced IBM i 7.6 is expected to be supported until 2035, with future releases (IBM i 8.1 and 8.2) planned for 2028 and 2031.

So how long will the new OS be supported?

There’s every reason to believe that the newly announced IBM i 7.6, set to ship on April 18, will remain in use for a decade or more—with extended support likely carrying it through to at least 2035.

What about the Power Systems?

A 10-year lifecycle for Power13 machines gets you into 2041 and IBM i Next+2 with extended support (only seven years, bit the full ten that comes with extended support) gets you 2031 as well.

The stability of IBM's roadmap is remarkable. While most vendors struggle with long-term planning, IBM offers clear visibility into Power Systems and IBM i through 2040.

If you are interested in getting a better understanding of what is under the covers of Power10, 11 and 12. Read on.

📺 Future of Power: What is next?

In this interview with Bill Starkey, Chief Architect of Power CPUs at IBM, we get insights into the evolution of IBM Power processors.

Here's what was discussed:

Power10: Has exceeded performance expectations in the market.

Power11: Will be an evolutionary upgrade from Power10, featuring:

Faster processing speeds
More cores
Similar architecture to Power10 with enhanced capabilities

Power12: This will mark a significant architectural shift, introducing chiplet architecture similar to what AMD and Intel are using. This represents IBM's adaptation to changing processor design trends as Moore's Law reaches its limits.

Watch here to get all the details.

Wondering about the chiplet architecture? 🤔

Chiplet Architecture is a design approach in microprocessors where a single chip is broken down into multiple smaller, specialized modules called chiplets. These chiplets are interconnected to function as a cohesive processor, offering advantages in scalability, cost, and performance compared to traditional monolithic designs, where all components are integrated into a single die.

Where is IBM Power used?

⌛IBM Power

Enterprise: Mission-critical applications (e.g., banking, ERP systems), running IBM AIX, IBM i, or Linux
HPC: Supercomputing (e.g., IBM Power systems power the Summit and Sierra supercomputers, though these use Power9)
AI/Big Data: Power10’s MMA units and high memory bandwidth make it ideal for AI training and analytics workloads
Databases: Optimized for large-scale databases (e.g., IBM Db2, Oracle)

Key Takeaway:

I think IBM Power Systems as it relates to not only the IBM i but also Linux and AIX is often overlooked in the IBM i community. While the IBM i platforms role might change, the commitment that IBM offers to Power Systems, should give organizations confidence in their long-term IBM i strategies whatever they might be.

💻 IBM i 7.6 Announced with Major Security Updates

Following up on announcements from last week here is a detailed commentary from the friendly folks over at Proximity.

Steve Will and fellow IBM i experts unveiled version 7.6 on April 10th, featuring integrated MFA as its standout enhancement. The update strengthens security posture with built-in authentication, QR code scanning, and recovery codes. Additional improvements include streamlined regulatory compliance, enhanced Navigator features, and updated developer tools. Available from April 18th, v7.6 requires IBM Power10 processors.

Watch the full IBM i Update from Proximity here. 🎥

Development

💻 LISTAGG Function Gets Distinct Results Enhancement The LISTAGG scalar function in SQL, which aggregates multiple rows into a single column with custom separators, now includes the capability to return distinct results. This enhancement, building upon the function's original features discussed in a previous RPG Programmer article, provides more flexibility in data aggregation and presentation, making it a more powerful tool for database operations. 🔄 EGL Parser Simplifies Legacy Code Management A battle-tested EGL parser enables developers to analyze and transform IBM EGL codebases. The parser facilitates documentation generation, code refactoring, and potential migration paths. Built on the Chisel methodology, it includes symbol resolution capabilities and supports integration with various development tools through LionWeb and EMF compatibility. 🎥 VS Code Extension Makes SQL Tasks Easier A new video tutorial demonstrates how the SELECT statement in VS Code's Db2 for i extension streamlines data manipulation. Users can effortlessly generate CSV or JSON files and update Db2 for i data directly within the IDE. The tutorial showcases the simplicity and efficiency of this powerful feature for IBM i developers.

Learning

📚 IBM i Guided Tours

If you are an IBM i-er, a business partner or customer, IBM i Guided Tours is a series of webinars covering a wide range of topics focused on the IBM i. Anything from database modernization, security, cloud and AI.

Here are some of the upcoming sessions:

IBM i Portfolio Update: April 16, 2025
VS Code, IBM i and Git: April 30, 2025
MFA Overview: May 7, 2025
VS Code and Db2 for i: May 28, 2025

If any of these don’t work in your schedule, you can view the replays here.

🎡 Disney Hosts POWERUp 2025 for IBM i Pros

The premier IBM i conference is heading to Disneyland, California, offering comprehensive education and networking opportunities.

The event features hands-on workshops, industry expert insights, and the latest innovations in IBM i technology.

Perfect for both seasoned professionals and newcomers, POWERUp 2025 promises to be an essential gathering for anyone looking to advance their IBM i career.

If you are looking for IBM i specific AI training sessions, they have it. If IBM i security is your thing, they will have session's on that as well.

Or, maybe you are looking to integrate the IBM i with other technologies, you'll find sessions on that as well.

Join

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