IBM Power S824 (8286-42A)
You have an S824 8286-42A. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's dual-socket Power8 scale-out server, out of standard IBM support since March 2024, still carrying real production load at many IBM i shops.
The Power S824 (8286-42A) was IBM's dense dual-socket Power8 scale-out server: a 4U rack chassis scaling from 12 to 24 total cores across two sockets, with up to 2 TB of DDR3/CDIMM memory across 16 slots. It was the step-up model from the single-socket S814 for shops that had outgrown entry-level throughput.
The S824 was IBM's most common Power8 scale-out model, and it shows: this is one of the most frequently encountered Power8 systems still carrying live production workloads in 2026. See our migration comparison for what an S824 maps to on Power9, Power10, and Power11.
Buying, maintaining, or replacing an S824
Use the IBM Power reseller directory to compare refurbished hardware, parts, maintenance, cloud, migration, and current-generation replacement capabilities before deciding how long this S824 should remain in service.
Sources
- IBM Power8 end of service announcement — IBM
- IBM Power End of Life Dates: Every Server and Release — Power Systems Advisors
Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | 2-socket, 4U rack |
| Max Cores | Up to 24 cores (dual-socket, 3.52-4.15 GHz depending on feature) |
| Max Memory | Up to 2 TB DDR3/CDIMM memory across 16 slots |
| Max Internal Storage | SAS/SSD backplane, Gen3 PCIe I/O, expansion drawer support |
| Max CPW | Up to approximately 230,500 CPW on the top 24-core feature |
| Software Tier | P20 |
Processor options
| Feature Code | Cores | Clock Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54E6 | 6 | 3.89 GHz | Processor module |
| 54E5 | 8 | 4.15 GHz | Processor module |
| 54E3 | 12 | 3.52 GHz | Processor module |
Processor module identifiers and descriptions from IBM system parts documentation for 8247-42L, 8286-41A and 8286-42A. Read the system VPD to confirm what is installed in a specific machine.
Lifecycle and support status
| Attribute | Status |
|---|---|
| Withdrawn From Marketing | February 28, 2019 |
| EOS Date | March 31, 2024 |
| EOS Status | Past standard IBM hardware support since March 2024 ... no more machine code updates, hardware parts commitments, or security patches from IBM. |
| IBM i Ceiling | IBM i 7.4 (IBM i 7.5 does not support Power8 hardware at all) |
| IBM i 7.4 Support Ends | September 30, 2026 |
Best fit
IBM's dense dual-socket Power8 scale-out server for growing IBM i, AIX, and Linux environments needing more throughput than the single-socket S814. Widely deployed and, in 2026, widely overdue for a support decision.
Related
IBM Power S814 (8286-41A)
You have an S814 8286-41A. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's mainstream single-socket Power8 box, out of standard IBM support since May 2024, running on borrowed time on IBM i 7.4.
IBM Power E850 (8408-E8E)
You have an E850 8408-E8E. Here's what that means in 2026: a 4-socket enterprise Power8 consolidation platform, the first Power8 model to lose IBM support, out of standard support since October 2023.
IBM Power S812 (8284-21A)
You have an S812 8284-21A. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's smallest Power8 box, out of standard IBM support since July 2025, and the last model in the family to lose it.
IBM Power E850C (8408-44E)
The E850C (8408-44E) is the refreshed 4-socket Power8 enterprise server. IBM standard support ended October 31, 2024, and IBM i on this box stops at 7.4.
Related Reading
What IBM Power8 End of Support Actually Means
End of support is not a shutdown switch. Here is exactly what changes ... and what doesn't ... when an IBM Power8 model passes its IBM end-of-service date.
The IBM i 7.4 Ceiling: What It Means for Power8
IBM i 7.5 dropped Power8 support entirely, making IBM i 7.4 a hard software ceiling ... and that ceiling itself loses support on September 30, 2026.
Third-Party Maintenance for Power8, Explained
What a TPM contract actually covers, what it does not, and how to evaluate whether it is the right bridge for your Power8 system.