Your current Power 8 model and AIX workload
Selected Power 8 models can run AIX 7.3. Match the model-specific native or virtual-I/O map and required TL/SP before choosing an OS level. Linux-only systems are outside this AIX starting list.
Choose the exact catalog identity below for its planning notes. The list identifies assessment starting points; eligibility still depends on the installed edition and configuration.
| Current model | Configuration question |
|---|---|
| E850 8408-E8E | Size each partition and its storage connections |
| E850C 8408-44E | Size each partition and its storage connections |
| E870 9119-MME | Size each partition and its storage connections |
| E870C 9080-MME | Size each partition and its storage connections |
| E880 9119-MHE | Size each partition and its storage connections |
| E880C 9080-MHE | Size each partition and its storage connections |
| S812 8284-21A | Confirm the processor edition and direct I/O |
| S814 8286-41A | Match the capacity change to the actual bottleneck |
| S822 8284-22A | Match the capacity change to the actual bottleneck |
| S824 8286-42A | Match the capacity change to the actual bottleneck |
E850 8408-E8E: size each partition and its storage connections
Capture the busy periods and resource allocation for each logical partition. Review external storage, multipath software and management-console levels. A consolidation plan must retain the isolation and recovery behavior the applications need.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is Confirm internal drives and attached enterprise storage. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review E1050 9043-MRX and E1150 9043-MRU. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
E850 8408-E8E catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
E850C 8408-44E: size each partition and its storage connections
Capture the busy periods and resource allocation for each logical partition. Review external storage, multipath software and management-console levels. A consolidation plan must retain the isolation and recovery behavior the applications need.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is Confirm internal drives and attached enterprise storage. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review E1050 9043-MRX and E1150 9043-MRU. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
E850C 8408-44E catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
E870 9119-MME: size each partition and its storage connections
Capture the busy periods and resource allocation for each logical partition. Review external storage, multipath software and management-console levels. A consolidation plan must retain the isolation and recovery behavior the applications need.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is Enterprise SAN and attached storage; confirm adapters, drawers, and VIOS ownership. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review E1050 9043-MRX and E1150 9043-MRU. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
E870 9119-MME catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
E870C 9080-MME: size each partition and its storage connections
Capture the busy periods and resource allocation for each logical partition. Review external storage, multipath software and management-console levels. A consolidation plan must retain the isolation and recovery behavior the applications need.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is Enterprise SAN and attached storage; confirm adapters, drawers, and VIOS ownership. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review E1050 9043-MRX and E1150 9043-MRU. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
E870C 9080-MME catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
E880 9119-MHE: size each partition and its storage connections
Capture the busy periods and resource allocation for each logical partition. Review external storage, multipath software and management-console levels. A consolidation plan must retain the isolation and recovery behavior the applications need.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is Enterprise SAN and attached storage; confirm adapters, drawers, and VIOS ownership. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review E1050 9043-MRX and E1150 9043-MRU. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
E880 9119-MHE catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
E880C 9080-MHE: size each partition and its storage connections
Capture the busy periods and resource allocation for each logical partition. Review external storage, multipath software and management-console levels. A consolidation plan must retain the isolation and recovery behavior the applications need.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is Enterprise SAN and attached storage; confirm adapters, drawers, and VIOS ownership. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review E1050 9043-MRX and E1150 9043-MRU. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
E880C 9080-MHE catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
S812 8284-21A: confirm the processor edition and direct i/o
Keep the one-core IBM i configuration separate from the four-core AIX/Linux configuration. The S812 has direct-I/O and partition restrictions; do not build a migration around an assumed VIOS layout.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is Confirm the installed SAS backplane, drive format, and expansion drawers. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review S1022 9105-22A and S1122 9824-22A. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
S812 8284-21A catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
S814 8286-41A: match the capacity change to the actual bottleneck
Compare processor use, memory pressure and storage response before choosing an upgrade. Record the installed processor feature and attached devices so the quote addresses the current workload rather than the model’s maximum specification.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is Up to 32 TB internal storage; eight PCIe Gen3 slots. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review S1022 9105-22A and S1122 9824-22A. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
S814 8286-41A catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
S822 8284-22A: match the capacity change to the actual bottleneck
Compare processor use, memory pressure and storage response before choosing an upgrade. Record the installed processor feature and attached devices so the quote addresses the current workload rather than the model’s maximum specification.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is SAS SFF and selected SSD options; confirm the installed backplane and sector format. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review S1022 9105-22A and S1122 9824-22A. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
S822 8284-22A catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
S824 8286-42A: match the capacity change to the actual bottleneck
Compare processor use, memory pressure and storage response before choosing an upgrade. Record the installed processor feature and attached devices so the quote addresses the current workload rather than the model’s maximum specification.
The catalog’s storage and I/O context is 12 SFF bays standard or 18 SFF bays with eight 1.8-inch SSD bays. Check the installed adapters and recovery devices against the destination; their presence on the source does not establish reuse eligibility.
For a replacement comparison, review S1022 9105-22A and S1122 9824-22A. Size and qualify the proposed configuration against this workload; these are candidates rather than guaranteed equivalents.
S824 8286-42A catalog details · Choose the installed-release branch · Prepare the migration inventory
Your installed AIX release on Power 8
An OS upgrade may be possible without replacing the server. A hardware replacement still needs rootvg, application data and I/O qualified separately.
| Installed release or architecture | Planning next step |
|---|---|
| AIX 5.3 / 6.1 and earlier | Review the exact source release and hardware requirements before selecting the target. This branch is an assessment topic, not confirmation that every listed model runs the release. |
| AIX 7.1 | Review the exact source release and hardware requirements before selecting the target. This branch is an assessment topic, not confirmation that every listed model runs the release. |
| AIX 7.2 | Review the exact source release and hardware requirements before selecting the target. This branch is an assessment topic, not confirmation that every listed model runs the release. |
| AIX 7.3 | Review the exact source release and hardware requirements before selecting the target. This branch is an assessment topic, not confirmation that every listed model runs the release. |
Upgrade AIX or add capacity on Power 8
Start with the application result you need. A supported OS change can keep the existing server useful; a capacity change can address resource pressure. Neither establishes a supported release on hardware the vendor excludes.
- Review rPerf for an AIX comparison.
- Review memory capacity separately from processor demand.
- Review the AIX release guide for the installed level and desired destination.
- Ask Midland to compare an OS/capacity upgrade with replacement.
Migration from your Power 8 AIX system
Moving to another server is a separate task from updating the OS. The plan must qualify the destination, transfer the workload and prove the application works before the final switch.
- Record the source configuration.
- Choose a compatible transfer method.
- Rehearse application recovery and acceptance.
- Agree the rollback decision before new production transactions begin.
Sources and release checks
Guidance checked October 21, 2026. Midland catalog identities stay with their exact model. Hardware eligibility, software maintenance and application certification need separate checks for the installed configuration.