IBM i cloud hosting options
IBM i (System i, AS/400) stays on Power in the cloud, your RPG and COBOL run as-is. The real question is who runs the Power underneath you, and how much they manage.
IBM i (formerly System i and AS/400) is proprietary to Power hardware, so hosting it in the cloud means running it on Power infrastructure that someone else owns. Your programs, data, and runbooks move largely unchanged. What differs across the options is how much of the platform and day-to-day operations the provider takes off your hands.
The three ways to host IBM i in the cloud
| Option | Who runs the hardware | Who runs IBM i admin |
|---|---|---|
| IBM PowerVS | IBM | You |
| Partner-hosted Power | Provider | You or shared |
| Fully managed Power | Provider | Provider |
PowerVS suits shops that keep their own IBM i administrators and want IBM's cloud directly. A partner-hosted Power cloud offloads the hardware while you keep application control. Fully managed Power hands operations to the provider, the right fit when IBM i skills are thin and getting thinner. For a side-by-side of all three models, see our PowerVS vs. hosted Power comparison.
What to weigh before you pick
- IBM i and ISV license portability to the hosting platform
- High availability and DR approach, and whether it's bundled
- Whether you plan to modernize the front-end in parallel
- Network and private-connectivity into the cloud Power region
- Contract, SLA, and exit terms with the provider
Frequently asked questions
Can IBM i (AS/400) really run in the cloud?
Yes. IBM i runs on cloud Power exactly as it does on-prem, through IBM PowerVS, partner-hosted, or fully managed Power. Your RPG, COBOL, and Db2 for i move across as-is.
Do I keep my IBM i licenses when I move to the cloud?
Often, but IBM i and ISV license portability has to be checked per product. Some licenses transfer to the host, others are re-licensed on the cloud platform, so confirm it before you move.
What's the difference between hosted and fully managed IBM i?
With hosted Power, the provider runs the hardware while you administer IBM i. With fully managed Power, the provider also runs IBM i administration, backup, and DR for you.
Will cloud hosting change how my green-screen apps work?
No. Hosting alone keeps the user experience identical. Changing the green-screen front-end is a separate, optional modernization step you can take later, or not at all.
What an IBM i hosting move looks like in practice
IBM i shops rarely want to change anything but the hardware underneath. These representative moves show how that plays out.
Situation. Decades of RPG running the business on aging Power, with no appetite to touch the code.
Approach. Lift to fully managed Power cloud so the provider runs IBM i administration, backup, and DR.
Outcome. The same green-screen experience for users, off owned hardware, with operations no longer resting on one retiring admin.
Situation. A stable Db2 for i core, but the business wants web and mobile access.
Approach. Host on PowerVS as-is, then add API and web front-ends incrementally over the untouched core.
Outcome. Cloud hosting live first; modernization delivered in parallel without risking the system of record.
Representative scenarios reflect common IBM Power migration patterns and typical ranges, not specific named client engagements.
An IBM i hosting shortlist, in five questions
Before you bring anyone in, you can narrow the field yourself. Run your estate through these and you'll walk into a conversation already knowing which hosting model fits.
Find the right home for your IBM i
We'll match your IBM i estate to the hosting model and provider that fit, vendor-neutral.
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