IBM Power Systems 2025: Key Updates and FNTS Cloud Solutions

Explore the Major Updates in IBM Power Systems Hardware, OS, and Cloud Capabilities in 2025

As we advance through 2025, IBM Power Systems continue to evolve, bringing forth a new generation of hardware, cutting-edge operating system updates, and enhanced cloud capabilities. These changes are designed to cater to the growing demands of enterprise IT leaders, particularly those managing mission-critical workloads on IBM i and AIX. In this blog post, we will delve into the latest advancements in IBM Power Systems, explain their significance for IBM i and AIX environments, and demonstrate how FNTS Cloud for IBM Power can help your organization leverage these updates for improved performance, security, and operational efficiency.

Breaking Down IBM Power11: What’s New in 2025

In July 2025, IBM introduced the IBM Power11, a new generation of hardware that promises to redefine enterprise IT landscapes. The Power11 is available simultaneously across high, mid, and entry-level categories, ensuring that organizations of all sizes can benefit from its advanced capabilities. Built with hybrid environments in mind, the Power11 seamlessly integrates on-premises infrastructure with the IBM Cloud, offering unparalleled flexibility and scalability.

The Power11 is engineered for high performance and resilience, incorporating features such as improved uptime design and advanced cyber-resilience capabilities, including ransomware detection. These enhancements are crucial for organizations that require continuous operations and robust security measures. With its AI-readiness and planned support of quantum-safe cryptography, the Power11 is poised to meet the demands of modern enterprise IT environments.

Day-One Cloud Availability with IBM Power Virtual Server

IBM Power Virtual Server (PowerVS) has been a game-changer for enterprises looking to leverage cloud capabilities without compromising on performance or security. In 2025, IBM added Power11 to PowerVS as a day-one option. FNTS helps clients plan, migrate, and manage workloads in PowerVS as part of hybrid strategies.

This integration allows organizations to extend their on-premises Power environments to the cloud, enabling hybrid cloud deployments that combine the best of both worlds. PowerVS offers dynamic scalability, high availability, and disaster recovery capabilities, ensuring that your workloads remain resilient and secure. By leveraging PowerVS, enterprises can achieve greater operational efficiency and cost savings while maintaining the reliability and performance of their IBM Power Systems. FNTS helps organizations plan, migrate, and manage workloads that extend into IBM PowerVS as part of a hybrid strategy.

Enhancements in IBM i 7.5 TR6 and AIX 7.3 TL

The latest updates to the IBM i and AIX operating systems bring a host of new features and enhancements designed to improve security, performance, and manageability. IBM i 7.5 Technology Refresh 6 (TR6) introduces several key improvements, including enhanced SQL capabilities, improved data integration, and support for modern development frameworks. These updates enable organizations to modernize their IBM i environments and extend the life of their legacy applications.

AIX 7.3 Technology Level 3 (TL3) also brings significant advancements, particularly in the areas of security and cryptography. The update includes planned support for quantum-safe cryptography, which is essential for protecting sensitive data against future threats. Additionally, AIX 7.3 TL3 offers live update capabilities, allowing organizations to apply patches and updates without taking systems offline. This feature is critical for maintaining business continuity and minimizing downtime.

Cyber-Resilience and Quantum-Safe Cryptography

IBM’s latest Power Systems advancements emphasize security and resiliency with features such as quantum-safe cryptography to safeguard sensitive data and enhanced ransomware detection designed to identify threats faster and limit impact. While these capabilities are delivered as part of IBM’s hardware and operating system innovations, FNTS helps clients align with and adopt these enhancements through managed services, compliance guidance, and integration support. This ensures organizations running AIX and IBM i workloads can take full advantage of IBM’s built-in protections while strengthening their overall cyber-resilience strategy.

FNTS helps clients align with IBM’s security advancements by integrating them into managed services, backup strategies, and compliance frameworks — ensuring AIX and IBM i workloads remain resilient in highly regulated industries. By adopting the latest IBM Power Systems hardware and software updates, enterprises can enhance their security posture and ensure the protection of their critical data and applications.

Why IBM i and AIX Shops Should Care

The advancements in IBM Power Systems hardware, OS, and cloud capabilities in 2025 have significant implications for IBM i and AIX environments. For organizations running mission-critical workloads on these platforms, the new features and enhancements translate to improved business continuity, reduced risk, and greater operational efficiency.

The resiliency design of Power11, combined with IBM’s ransomware detection capabilities, means that organizations can achieve “always-on” operations, minimizing the risk of disruptions and maintenance windows. Additionally, the pressure to modernize legacy applications and integrate data can be alleviated through managed services and automation tools such as PowerVC, logical partition mobility (LPM), and DevOps tooling. FNTS supports modernization strategies and helps clients adopt automation and integration tools available within the IBM Power ecosystem.

Furthermore, the cost, capacity, and energy efficiency tradeoffs between on-premises refresh and hybrid cloud deployments must be carefully evaluated. By leveraging the latest IBM Power Systems updates, organizations can make informed decisions that optimize their IT infrastructure and support their long-term strategic goals.

On-Prem Refresh vs. Hybrid with PowerVS: Making the Right Choice

When it comes to modernizing your IBM Power environment, organizations have several options to consider: upgrading on-premises infrastructure, extending to the cloud with PowerVS, or adopting a hybrid approach. Each scenario offers distinct advantages and considerations:

• Stay On-Prem and Upgrade to Power11: Upgrading to Power11 on-premises provides enhanced performance, reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) features, and patching autonomy. This option is ideal for organizations that require complete control over their IT environment and prioritize on-premises infrastructure.

• Burst/Extend to PowerVS: Leveraging PowerVS for disaster recovery, development/testing, seasonal capacity, and multi-region resiliency allows organizations to scale resources dynamically and optimize costs. This approach is suitable for enterprises looking to balance on-premises control with the flexibility of the cloud.

• Hybrid Control Plane: A hybrid deployment combines the benefits of both on-premises and cloud environments, offering consistent management (e.g., PowerVC), security posture, and backup/disaster recovery patterns across sites and the IBM Cloud. This option provides the best of both worlds, ensuring seamless integration and operational efficiency.

Leveraging FNTS Cloud for IBM Power: Key Benefits

FNTS Cloud for IBM Power offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to help organizations optimize and modernize their IBM i and AIX environments. By partnering with FNTS, enterprises can take advantage of the following key benefits:

• Support for IBM i and AIX: FNTS provides OS-specific support, patching, upgrades, and system health monitoring, ensuring that your IBM Power environment remains secure and efficient.

• PowerVS & Hybrid Integration: FNTS helps organizations plan, migrate, and operate Power workloads in the IBM Cloud, enabling seamless hybrid connectivity and optimized resource utilization.

• Optimization & Modernization: Modernization planning, workload re-platforming, and integration strategies to extend workload value.

• PowerVC & Data Protection: FNTS provides virtualization, encryption, and backup/disaster recovery patterns for hybrid IBM Power environments, ensuring data security and resilience.

FNTS offers flexible service models to cater to different organizational needs:

• Infrastructure Only: Retain system-level control while leveraging FNTS’s secure, scalable hosting environments.

• Partially Managed: Add monitoring, troubleshooting, patching, and capacity planning services, providing shared responsibility with expert oversight.

• Fully Managed: FNTS handles end-to-end operations, including system administration, database management, job scheduling, and 24x7x365 monitoring, allowing your team to focus on strategic initiatives.

Actionable Steps to Modernize Your IBM Power Environment

As you consider modernizing your IBM Power environment, here are some actionable steps to guide your journey:

1. Inventory Versions: Assess your current hardware generation, IBM i/AIX levels, and patch posture to identify areas for improvement.

2. Evaluate DR Gaps: Identify any gaps in your disaster recovery strategy and develop a plan to address them.

3. Decide on Refresh vs. Hybrid Mix: Determine whether an on-premises refresh, hybrid deployment, or a combination of both best meets your organization’s needs.

4. Identify Candidate Workloads for PowerVS: Select the first workloads to migrate to PowerVS, prioritizing those that will benefit most from cloud capabilities.

5. Select FNTS Service Model: Choose the FNTS service model that aligns with your internal resources and strategic goals, and establish a timeline for implementation.

Speak to an Expert

Ready to take the next step in modernizing your IBM Power environment? Speak to an expert about FNTS Cloud for IBM Power and discover how we can help you achieve enhanced performance, security, and operational efficiency. Visit FNTS Cloud for IBM Power to learn more and schedule your consultation today.