What’s in IBM i 7.6 for System Administrators?
- Ash Giddings
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Away from the introduction of integrated Multi-Factor Authentication in the latest IBM i release 7.6 there are many other interesting items that System Administrators should be aware of.
Hardware Compatibility
7.6 will only run on Power10 hardware; it will not run on Power8 or Power9, so if you’re running older hardware, now is the time to migrate. For help with migrations, Maxava offers a Migrate Live service designed to minimize downtime while maintaining data integrity.
BRMS (Backup, Recovery & Media Services for i)
Many IBM i shops run BRMS for backup and recovery and 7.6 sees a major change for these environments. You will no longer be able to run the standard 5770-BR1 licensed program and will instead be required to use its replacement, 5770-BR2 a subscription-only option for the popular utility.
Collection Services
New statistics associated with fibre channel adapters (directly attached and VIOS provisioned) are available via the powerful Collection Services, designed to aid performance analysis and troubleshooting.
Administration Runtime Expert for i
IBM's Administration Runtime Expert for i (ARE) is evolving, with its functionality migrating to IBM Navigator for i. ARE is designed to help ensure consistent system performance and deployment on IBM i. The ARE interface consists of two key components: Console and Template Interface.
Console Interface: Now integrated into IBM Navigator for i, the ARE Console is available with IBM i 7.6 HTTP group PTFs. IBM recommends using this new version for improved management and monitoring.
Template Interface: The transition of the Template component to IBM Navigator for i is still in progress. Until it is fully implemented, users requiring the heritage ARE Template interface must install 5733-ARE. IBM will provide updates when the Template interface becomes available in Navigator.
For further information on this powerful tool, please view our on-demand webinar and whitepaper.
User Profiles
With the upgrade to IBM i 7.6, the following IBM-supplied user profiles will be removed:
QMGTC
QIBMHELP
QPM400
These profiles are no longer used by IBM i and will be deleted along with any objects they own. Administrators should review their systems to ensure that no dependencies exist on these profiles before upgrading.
IBM i 7.6 introduces four new system-supplied user profiles:
QPGMR_NC
QSECOFR_NC
QSYSOPR_NC
QUSER_NC
These profiles have the same privileges as their counterparts (QPGMR, QSECOFR, QSYSOPR, and QUSER) but they do not have passwords and cannot be modified. The NC denotes 'no change'.
IBM i 7.6 introduces updates to how certain system jobs run under user profiles, aligning with the new QUSER_NC profile.
FTP Server Logon Exit Programs added to the QIBM_QTMF_SVR_LOGON exit point will now run under QUSER_NC, instead of the previous QTCP user profile.
The DRDA/DDM server jobs QRWTSRVR and QDBMSRVR now run under different profiles depending on how they are started:
Batch Immediate (BCI) jobs will run under QUSER_NC.
Prestart jobs will continue to run under QUSER.
These changes enhance security and align with IBM’s ongoing refinements to system-supplied user profiles.
IBM has modified many system interfaces to run under these new user profiles. If object authority was previously granted to QPGMR, QSECOFR, QSYSOPR, or QUSER, administrators may need to grant the same authority to the new profiles.
Further information on the 7.6 release can be found on the IBM website
To Schedule IBM i Migration Consultation
Visit the Migrate Live page, Maxava has a proven track record in assisting organizations with their IBM i migration. With our team of skilled IBM i technical specialists, learn more about Maxava Migrate Live™.
Written by Ash Giddings is a Product Manager at Maxava and an IBM Champion.