Should You Keep a Power 9 in 2026?
A practical keep, maintain, expand, or replace framework for Power 9 owners.
Keeping Power 9 can still make sense when the workload is stable, capacity is adequate, IBM i release requirements are understood, and service coverage is realistic. It stops making sense when support risk, security patching, parts availability, or IBM i 7.6 planning become the bigger business issue.
Keep
Stable workload, tested backup, known spares, no near-term IBM i 7.6 requirement.
Expand
Short runway, clear capacity gap, available memory or disk, acceptable support path.
Maintain
Business-critical workload where a third-party maintenance plan reduces risk while replacement is planned.
Replace
IBM i 7.6, long runway, security modernization, warranty reset, or Power 11 consolidation are required.