IBM has officially announced that standard support for IBM i 7.4 will end on September 30, 2026. After this date, organizations running IBM i 7.4 will only be eligible for Service Extension (SE) contracts. While this may seem like a distant deadline, the implications are immediate; financially, technically, and strategically.
So, it’s time to upgrade to a better version. Rather than investing in short-term SE extensions, organizations should begin planning a move to IBM i 7.6, the latest release built for Power10 and Power11.
It introduces enhanced security with built-in MFA, AI-powered development tools, and long-term platform stability well into the 2030s.
Let’s explore what the IBM i 7.4 end of support means, how Service Extension works, and why planning your IBM i version upgrade path now is essential.
Context of the Announcement
IBM follows a predictable lifecycle: each major release enjoys 6–7 years of standard support, followed by ~3 years of Service Extension. IBM i 7.4, first introduced in June 2019, reaches its end of standard support on September 30, 2026, aligning with this cycle.
This is not new. IBM i 7.3 reached the end of standard support in September 2023, and the same pattern applies here. The difference now is that IBM i 7.6 has entered the market, providing a more modern upgrade target.
Service Extension (SE): What You’re Really Paying For
Cost
Starts at roughly 2x the cost of standard Software Maintenance (SWMA).
In later years, the multiplier often rises to 3x or even 4x.
Example: If SWMA is $1,000/core/year, SE may reach $3,000–$4,000/core/year depending on the contract year.
Scope
- Coverage is limited to critical bug fixes and security-related PTFs.
- No new features or functional enhancements are included.
- Support responsiveness is generally lower than standard SWMA.
Purpose
- SE exists as a safety net for organizations unable to upgrade immediately.
- Its real intent is to encourage timely migration to supported releases by making “standing still” both costly and risky.
IBM i 7.4 Upgrade Path and Hardware Compatibility
Power Server Compatibility at a Glance
- Power11 and Power10: Fully support IBM i 7.5 and 7.6, offering the longest upgrade runway.
- Power9: Supports IBM i 7.5 but cannot run 7.6.
- Power8: Locked at IBM i 7.4, meaning a mandatory hardware refresh to Power10 or Power11 for continued support.
Power Server Compatibility at a Glance
| Power System Model | IBM i 7.6 | IBM i 7.5 | IBM i 7.4 | Upgrade Implication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power11 (e.g., E1180) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Direct upgrade path up to 7.6 |
| Power10 (S1022, S1014) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Direct upgrade path up to 7.6 |
| Power9 (S914/S924/etc.) | No | Yes | Yes | Upgrade possible to 7.5 only |
| Power8 | No | No | Yes | 7.4 is last release; hardware refresh required |
Additional Key Facts
- Technology Refresh (TR) & PTF groups: Vary per system and release; IBM’s latest support summaries must always be consulted.
- Minimum OS support level: Determined by the system’s GA date and processor feature code.
- Upgrade prerequisites: IBM Sales Manual and Platform Support Details provide hardware-specific code level requirements.
Actionable Insights for Decision-Makers
The end of support for IBM i 7.4 in September 2026 is more than a software milestone. For Power8 users, it effectively marks the retirement of their hardware in production, since 7.4 is the last release that runs on those systems. Organizations still operating on Power8 will need to plan a hardware refresh to remain supported.
For Power9 users, the picture is only slightly better. Support is capped at IBM i 7.5, which means the runway is already limited. New investments in Power9 are not advisable, as the platform will quickly fall behind in both features and support.
Power10 and Power11, on the other hand, provide the longest lifecycle and most strategic value. Power11, in particular, is the foundation for IBM i 7.6 and future releases, making it the clear choice for organizations looking to modernize and future-proof their environment.
Ready to plan your next move?
We’ll help you map out the right timeline, budget, and strategy so you can move ahead without disruption.
What’s New in IBM i 7.6?
Security: OS-Level Multifactor Authentication and Deep Encryption
IBM i 7.6 includes integrated multifactor authentication (MFA) as part of the core operating system, marking a fundamental shift in how user identities are secured. MFA can be selectively enforced on high-risk user profiles such as system admins or developers in production environments. This is not a bolt-on feature; it required significant rework of IBM i’s authentication model.
In addition, object-level encryption has been expanded to include core file systems like QSYS.LIB, a critical capability for industries with strict compliance requirements.
Database: Smarter, Self-Tuning DB2 for i
The DB2 engine in 7.6 now features autonomic indexing, allowing it to monitor query patterns and automatically optimize performance without DBA intervention. AI-assisted SQL generation helps teams quickly build and tune queries. Integration with single-level storage has also been improved to support advanced analytics and AI-based workloads.
System Administration: Enhanced Navigator for i and SQL Services
Access Client Solutions (ACS) and Navigator for i continue to evolve as the primary admin interfaces, now with MFA enforcement support. IBM i Services accessed via SQL have expanded to allow deeper insight into job flows, resource usage, and security events, offering admin teams a real-time, query-based operating model.
Application Development: AI-Powered RPG Tooling
For RPG developers, 7.6 enables a new level of productivity through the Watsonx Code Assistant for IBM i. Developers can generate unit test scaffolds, receive line-by-line code explanations, and gradually modernize legacy RPG code using free-format standards. These features are optimized for VS Code users, with full integration and no dependency on SEU or RDI.
Hybrid Cloud and High Availability: Cloud-Ready PowerHA
IBM continues to invest in hybrid and multicloud readiness. IBM i 7.6 includes updates to PowerHA that simplify disaster recovery in cloud-hosted environments. Combined with enhanced backup options and cloud storage integration, this release supports more flexible recovery and failover architectures.
Risks of Staying on IBM i 7.4 After End of Support
Escalating Support Costs
Once standard support ends, organizations can only rely on IBM’s Service Extension (SE) program. SE contracts start at nearly double the cost of standard maintenance in the first year and can rise to three or four times the cost in later years. For IT budgets, this means every year spent on SE drives up expenses without delivering new value. IBM’s intention is clear: the rising price tag is meant to push customers toward timely upgrades rather than long-term reliance on outdated systems.
Security and Vulnerabilities
Under SE, the number and frequency of Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs) drops sharply. Critical vulnerabilities in the operating system and database layer may remain unresolved for long periods, if they are addressed at all. This leaves organizations exposed to new exploits. Security frameworks like SOX, PCI-DSS, or GDPR typically require actively supported software, so running IBM i 7.4 after end of support can trigger audit failures and regulatory penalties.
Compliance and Regulatory Risks
Operating on an unsupported version makes it increasingly difficult to meet contractual and regulatory obligations. Business agreements, insurance policies, and customer SLAs often require proof that systems are fully patched and vendor-supported. On IBM i 7.4 under SE, these guarantees are weakened, threatening certifications and putting contracts at risk.
