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The IBM i 7.4 Ceiling: What It Means for Power8

Updated October 10, 2026

IBM i 7.4 is the last IBM i release that runs on Power8. Standard support ended September 30, 2026. Paid Service Extension is available through September 30, 2029, but the extension only buys time on 7.4. A newer IBM i release still requires a hardware move.

Why 7.5 does not install on Power8

IBM ties each IBM i release to a minimum supported hardware generation. IBM i 7.5 raised that floor to Power9, cutting Power8 out of the software upgrade option entirely. This was a deliberate platform decision by IBM, not a bug or an oversight ... it reflects IBM narrowing ongoing OS engineering investment to newer hardware generations.

What changed after September 30, 2026

IBM i release support vs. Power8 hardware

IBM i ReleaseMinimum HardwareRuns on Power8?Standard Support Status
IBM i 7.4Power8 or laterYes ... the last release that doesStandard support ended; paid Service Extension through September 30, 2029
IBM i 7.5Power9 or laterNoCurrently supported on Power9+
IBM i 7.6Power10 (FW1060+) or Power11NoCurrently supported on Power10/Power11

IBM i 7.6 notably excludes Power9 as well as Power8 ... it requires Power10 or Power11 specifically.

Service Extension is a paid bridge, not a new release. Confirm its exact defect and fix coverage with IBM, then give the bridge a written end date. Power8 remains unable to run IBM i 7.5 or 7.6.

What this means for migration planning

If the goal is IBM i 7.6, Power9 is not sufficient because it stops at IBM i 7.5. Power10 or Power11 is the direct physical move. Power Virtual Server is the non-hardware option. Compare all three against the cost and deadline of the Service Extension bridge.

Sources

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