There is a limited window of opportunity to prepare your system(s) for the withdrawal of support by IBM. The most important thing you should consider is to leverage your existing support from IBM to upgrade to the latest versions of software, as access to these will be restricted or removed altogether post-EOS.
If you’re currently on CP4D version 2.X, the most urgent of these actions is to ensure you’re running OpenShift 4.12 or higher. Why? IBM and RedHat no longer support earlier OpenShift versions, which creates substantial operational risks because:
- Versions below 4.12 have known stability issues, significantly increasing the risk of system instability and potential data loss.
- To upgrade from older OpenShift versions is a complex process that is not publicly documented, and can only be reliably executed by IBM directly, so can’t be done post-EOS
We should add that customers running CP4D on RHEL 7 and/or OpenShift below 4.12 have already reached EOS. So basically: your operating system is not supported right now.
Even when your CP4D system is not reporting any hardware issues, it is advisable to run the latest software as some hardware issues are not flagged by old versions of firmware. Furthermore, replacement hardware components often require a firmware upgrade to be recognised. To ensure continued stability and supportability, and to minimise operational risk:
- Upgrade Immediately: Transition to the latest CP4D AP (1.0.9.0+), Netezza Performance Server (latest version), Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL 8+), and OpenShift (4.12+) where applicable.
- Check for Known Issues: Run ap issues (instructions here) to verify your system’s current health.
- Secure Fix Packs: Download all available fix packs and patches from IBM Fix Central before your support expires
What about customers running CP4D 1.X (Hammerhead)?
Customers using CP4D 1.X (Hammerhead) aren’t impacted by OpenShift compatibility issues.
Nevertheless, they should still be concerned by performance and stability, backup, failover, inter-component communication and OS/firmware compatibility issues that exist on the older versions of CP4D, as illustrated in the table below which summarises what’s been fixed in later versions of CP4D.
How we can help
Smart Associates offers specialised third-party support tailored explicitly for CP4D Netezza customers. We have already provided many years of EOS support to legacy Netezza customers around the globe, and are uniquely positioned to help you plan for EOS and continue operating your systems well past that date. We don’t merely fill the gap left by IBM; we proactively manage and scale your support needs according to your strategic requirements. We offer three clear support tiers:
- Essential: Remote software support, ideal if hardware management is covered in-house.
- Comprehensive: Full coverage, including software support, hardware procurement, regular health checks, proactive maintenance, and unlimited access to certified technical resources.
- Managed: Full-service option providing remote DBA services and management automation:
- Database Replication and Backup Automation: Automatically replicates critical data for quick disaster recovery and minimal downtime.
- Enhanced Access and Security Control: Manages user permissions, access rights, and compliance audits seamlessly to ensure robust security.
- Performance Optimisation and Data Governance: Automatically performs database tuning, ensures data integrity, enforces governance policies, and supports compliance with regulations like GDPR.
All tiers feature:
- Choice of 9×5 or 24×7 support coverage
- Seamless integration with Netezza’s event monitoring systems
- Fixed pricing models irrespective of your system size, with discounts for volume and non-production systems
- Direct access to highly experienced ex-IBM support engineers globally
Learn more from our Netezza Support Plus page. By proactively managing your support strategy, you secure your existing investments, minimise risk, and maintain operational stability while strategically planning your data infrastructure’s future.
