Exciting News: IBM i 7.6 Launching April 18, 2025!
IBM i represents the next generation of IBM’s powerful enterprise operating system, built exclusively for IBM Power servers (which we proudly support). Staying connected with its integrated platform approach, this latest release introduces cutting-edge enhancements in security, availability, and open-source technology support.
IBM i 7.6 goes beyond a traditional OS—it combines middleware, the Db2 for i database engine, and a comprehensive suite of native tools for management, development, and high availability. Unlike fragmented solutions that require piecing together multiple components, IBM i delivers a fully optimized, turnkey system—perfect for transactional workloads and legacy applications in RPG or COBOL.
Stay tuned for more details on how these upgrades can transform your enterprise infrastructure!
Important Features of IBM i 7.6
- Safety and Security Improvements: Integrated Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
- MFA is now an industry standard for enhancing security,
- Support for time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), such as Google Authenticator, Authy etc.
- It works well without internet connectivity. Development with Code for IBM i (VS Code)
- It does not require the installation of any agents, it just configure and use.
- MFA generates a 32-character key, stores it in the user profile, and sends it to your authentication app—never visible again from the OS.
- It generates a QR code for key transfer via an authenticator app. IBM offers a CL command method for greenscreen users.
- IBM updated sign-on screens across IBM i, Navigator, ACS, and DCM to support TOTP. Other client interfaces must be modified to add the TOTP field
- Vendors may take years to add TOTP fields. Meanwhile, IBM allows users to append the six-digit TOTP code (From Mobile Authenticator app) to their IBM i password, start with Colon (:)
- IBM lets security admins set MFA authentication intervals from 1 to 720 minutes, when he or she signs in the morning, and then not require authentication again for the next twelve hours.
- IBM i’s MFA took over four years to develop, requiring OS-wide changes. Available only on IBM i 7.6, it won’t be backported to older releases.
Advanced tools to comply with strict regulations, such as GDPR or HIPAA
Enhancements in Db2 for i
- Enhanced SQL functionalities, including data-change-table-reference for UPDATE and DELETE
- New SQLSTATE_INFO table for debugging SQL errors
- DUMP_PLAN_CACHE improvements with optional filters
- Direct BLOB column viewing in ACS
- SQL services supporting new auditing and security features
- Real time SQL syntax checker
- The ability to edit table data in the result set view
- Run All/Selected/From statements, with ‘stop’ support
Development with Code for IBM i (VS Code)
- As 7.6 releases, Code for IBM i 3.0.0 will be released around the same time
- 3.0.0 is being released with new stability enhancements
- Compiling source members (DDS for example) from a git repository is automated
- Solved a majority of CCSID issues for EU and JP IBM i systems
- Debug integration improves as Navigator takes over certificate management, streamlining the experience post-3.0.0.
RPGLE in VS Code
- Improved support for fixed-format/mixed-format ILE RPGLE
- Enhanced reference tracking across large codebases for fixed-format code
- Workspace Symbols: Locate all exported procedures/functions within the working library via VS Code
- “Go to Implementation” feature: Navigate directly to the implementation of exported procedures/functions
Why Organizations Need IBM i High Availability (HA/DR)
IBM PowerHA System Mirror for i now integrates with IBM Cloud through Power Virtual Server, expanding its HA/DR capabilities.
Without an IBM i high availability solution in place, your business could be in danger of losing too much irreplaceable data—or being completely unable to recover after a disaster
If you are depending on backups, then it risk losing 24 hours of data, plus recovery time—can you afford the downtime, especially in peak season?
For better business continuity management, an IBM i high availability solution helps you hold to your recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO) services levels, so that business can continue without interruption.
- Cloud replication:
- Support for IASP Volume (LUN-Level) Switching and FlashCopy.
- Full automation to minimize downtime.
- Hybrid Option:
- Resilient design for hybrid environments (on-premises + cloud).
- Ideal for companies seeking business continuity without investing in additional hardware.
IBM i 7.6 is primarily designed to run on IBM Power10 servers with firmware level FW1060 or higher. It’s not officially supported on Power9 systems. It also requires updated VIOS and PowerVM.
IBM i 7.6 Licenses
The base license includes
- IBM i + Db2 + Navigator + PASE
- Access to open source tools and integrated middleware
Licenses with additional costs:
- PowerHA
- Db2 Mirror
- BRMS
- RDi (if still in use)
Some Facts
IBM i 7.6 will remain supported through the mid-2030s.
IBM i 7.4 moves to the “fixes only” phase, with no new features.
IBM maintains a three-year release cycle, consistent since version 7.2
Unlock the potential of IBM i 7.6 with Saamsha Technologies!
We’re here to help you develop and modernize your application using the latest versions and cutting-edge technology stacks. Let’s collaborate to enhance and elevate your application to its best version yet.
📩 Connect with us: sales@saamsha.com
