Used AS/400 (iSeries) & Software license
Adam Armstrong
I am looking for a used AS/400(iSeries) for home. I have seen a bunch
of them on e-bay and other locations on the web but I had a question
about IBM's licensing model.
I have heard that you can not own a AS/400 with say RPG and SQL loaded
on it with out paying IBM a yearly maitenance fee. So even if I find
a used AS/400 with the software that I want on it already, that I will
have to pay IBM a yearly licensing fee? This does not sound right,
but I guess crazier things have happened.
I guess my question is can I buy a used AS/400 with RPG and SQL on it
and use it with out having to pay IBM a yearly fee? Which frankly
would not make it worth it for me.
Thanks for any help on this subject!
-Adam
Chuck Ackerman
Starting with Version 4 of OS/400, which only comes on the RISC models, the
license for all licensed software is transferable from the seller to the
buyer. And, there is absolutely no requirement to pay IBM for maintenance on
either the software or the hardware. However, if you are not on software
maintenance you will not receive any PTFs or software upgrades from IBM.
This is not a bad thing, though. Many companies have frozen their OS
version and stopped paying IBM for maintenance. That's the consequence of
an operating system that is very stable.
So, if you find that the used AS/400 has Version 4 or higher installed, you
are perfectly legal in using the OS and programming languages that are
installed when you receive it. Make sure that they ARE installed, though.
chuck
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer.
"Adam Armstrong" <ada...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:432d0c4.02040...@posting.google.com...
Walter
> on it with out paying IBM a yearly maitenance fee. So even if I find
> a used AS/400 with the software that I want on it already, that I will
> have to pay IBM a yearly licensing fee?
Wrong. No need to pay anything. What you heard is software subscription. For
a yearly fee you get all new versions, and trouble support and PTFs for the
Licpgms. Such maintenance contracts are used everywhere. You can buy it but
you don't have to.
Alternative, if you just need a small AS/400 for programming with no need of
the latest goodies: Buy a used AS/400 from someone who has subscription
every some years. It's cheaper and you always have a rather new machine with
an older one as backup, so you save the hardware maintenance fee also.
Walter
Martin Brieger
last time I checked a license is not transferable or in other terms, the
seller doesn't own the software and what he doesn't own, he can't sell.
Martin
"Adam Armstrong" <ada...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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Martin Brieger
are you dead certain? We did a transfer of an AS/400 from the UK to US and
HAD to pay license fees to IBM.
The machine was on 4.4 and we did not add any Software. Only reason for the
transfer was to have maintenance, well and to have the license issue solved.
Martin
"Chuck Ackerman" <so...@nospam.com> wrote in message
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David Shea
The OS is the ONLY thing that's transferable - not the licensed programs.
So - you can buy a box off eBay with v4r3 or v4r5, etc, but you DON'T and
CAN'T LEGALLY get RPG, Cobol, Query, SQL, etc.
So, you're still hosed. You can turn the thing on and load an app, but
can't do any development.
Try one of the time share services instead, like http://www.timeshare400.com
. You can do all the development you want for short money, without the
hassles. You just don't get to touch the box.
"Walter" <wal...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:a8e674$djv$1...@crusher.de.colt.net...
Richard White
"Martin Brieger" <Martin....@mbsoft.nu> wrote in message
news:3caa085e$1...@p100.mbsoft.nu...
> Yup,
>
> last time I checked a license is not transferable or in other terms, the
> seller doesn't own the software and what he doesn't own, he can't sell.
UNLESS :-) you buy a system from a Swiss located seller.
In Switzerland, a little known law prohibits the licensing of software - and
it has to be sold. With the result that one of my customers (for example)
in taking out a 2 year lease on AS/400 h/ware & s/ware from IBM has in fact
purchased the s/ware element, but still leases the hardware.
I wonder if this feature could be used to generate 2nd user AS/400 + s/ware
sales?
Eric Neill
Agreement) that comes with all V4 and V5 Licensed Programs, it specifically
says that they ARE transferable. However, they remain locked-in to the
corresponding OS400 release level unless you order Software Subscription.
In order to do it by the book, you must show IBM the Proof Of Entitlement
(POE) letter that comes with each program. They will then ask you for the
serial number of the machines it is being transferred from and to, and they
will issue a new LAC Key for the new Hardware Serial number.
They are very slow to get this done... it can take over a month for the
paperwork to go through. In the AS400 broker/reseller community, there was
actually a market for 'used' software for awhile. Peoples tendency to loose
or trash the POE document, paired with IBM's horribly slow response to sw
transfer requests put an end to it, though.
Bit it is doable if you have the time and inclination to do it by the book.
Hope that helps.
Best Regards,
Eric Neill
PaceButler Corporation
405-755-2400 ext 225
ene...@pacebutler.com
David Shea <ds...@arctools.com> wrote in message
news:_Npr8.9123$%s3.24...@typhoon.ne.ipsvc.net...
Mitch Kleinman
licensing of the required software (depending on the model), and the cost
for a one year MA contract can be more than the cost of NEW 270 which comes
with the OS and LICPGMS.
My firm is an IBM Premier BP and can provide new equipemtn as well as
preowned Hardware AND software.
Please call me if you still have a requirement...
Mitchell K. Kleinman
Executive Vice President
CCS - an IBM Premier Business Partner
800-274-0042 x224
949-261-3298 Direct
949-261-9164 Corp Fax
425-940-1954 eFax
Office: mi...@ccseservers.com
Wireless: mitc...@palm.com
Home: Mi...@cox.net
"Adam Armstrong" <ada...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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Chuck Ackerman
the reasons why the AS/400 world is fading away." IBM makes it so difficult
that newcomers just scratch their head and reach for the Windows 2000 server
box instead.
chuck
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer.
"Mitch Kleinman" <mit...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:Zths8.13883$%A.11...@news1.west.cox.net...
Kim Kuras
> Of course, when you read through this thread one might ask, "this is one of
> the reasons why the AS/400 world is fading away." IBM makes it so difficult
> that newcomers just scratch their head and reach for the Windows 2000 server
> box instead.
>
> chuck
> Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer.
Microsoft licensing is a continuous nightmare...and extremely pricy!
Obelix
wrote:
> IBM makes it so difficult
>that newcomers just scratch their head and reach for the Windows 2000 server
>box instead.
Well, that's remember me the guy who cut off his testicles in order to
tease his wife...
Obelix i hope translation is good...