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IBM will release its new Power9 processor chip in 2017

IBM will release its new Power9 processor chip next year. There’s a lot of promise with this new architecture regarding new technology, machine learning, and overall speed. It will support both Linux and Unix and be available with up to 24 cores, optimized for 2 sockets scale-out servers. IBM expects their low-end Power9 servers to be over $6,000 in mid-2017. Other manufacturers may offer Power9 servers for less. Additionally, IBM will license Power9 schema to others to design and build […]

Oracle’s Compliance and Optimization Licenses Service Unit (COLS) is closing down

The Register is reporting that Oracle’s “Compliance and Optimization License Services Unit (COLS) is being shut down.  With about 150 people in the UK and EMEA, COLS was created to support the LMS division, which was reportedly not meeting its goals. Where LMS operates in a more precise manner when reviewing licensing compliance, COLS was more of a division of the sales operation, specializing in cutting deals and giving discounts. The Register’s source is reported as saying “LMS auditors do […]

Data Breach at Oracle’s MICROS Division – KrebsonSecurity.com

Krebsonsecurity.com is reporting that a Russian organized cybercrime syndicate has compromised MICROS point-of-sale support portal. Oracle responded that they had “detected and addressed malicious code in certain legacy MICROS systems”. The hackers placed malicious code on the MICROS support portal and captured customers usernames and passwords when they logged in. Its reported that over 700 systems have been infected. Oracle will force all support accounts on the MICROS portal to do a password reset, adding “We also recommend that you […]

IBM Ends Support for ILMT 7.2.2 and 7.5

IBM will be discontinuing support for two older versions of the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) soon, and recommends migration to ILMT 9.x.  Even though many users are still on v7.5, IBM will discontinue support for the product in April 2017.  IBM has listed resources to assist with planning your migration. Why would someone want to use IBM’s License Metric Tool (ILMT)? IBM’s Passport Advantage Agreement (IPAA) is the master document for all of IBM’s distributed software – PVUs, RVUs, users, etc. […]

Minimizing audit penalties with IBM

There are opportunities at every stage of an IBM audit to reduce the quantity of violations and amount of penalties you will owe. Here are some tips: ILMT report verification – If you’re running ILMT, verify the report. With the complexity of IBM software, their tool may not be reporting the correct number without some tweaks. The ILMT reports are simple to read once you get the tool up and running so it’s possible that you could be on top […]

IBM Audits in a changing environment

Between the time of the audit notification and the time for the discovery, how does IBM account for changes in the environments? The audit is done at a point in time. If you’re running ILMT, the tool is set up to report a high-water mark for the quarter. IBM and their auditor will see that – remember, you are asked to keep two years of reports on file for IBM’s use. If you do not run ILMT, the peak usage […]

Oracle applications: Any Good Discovery/Monitoring Tools Out There?

We certainly have received a lot of queries in the past year about monitoring tools and while there are some very interesting tools that seem to have reached some type of maturity out there, the simple fact is that no matter how wonderful the monitoring tool may be there simply is no tool out there that allows for comprehensive monitoring. Currently, there are no monitoring tools that consistently tracked all Oracle applications or even most Oracle applications from what we’ve […]

Saving on PVU-based IBM software

IBM accepts a wide variety of virtualization technologies including VMware. With IBM allowing subcapacity licensing, there is a misconception that this method of counting licensing is automatic. Please refer to IBM’s licensing rules. Currently the Passport Advantage agreement is in effect and it is only 9 pages long – http://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/passportadvantage/PA_Agreements/PA_Agreement_International_English.pdf With subcapacity licensing, you have reporting responsibilities. Either use IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT), or if exempt follow the alternate reporting method described by IBM. Once you’ve passed this hurdle, […]

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