Tab navigation
Below are some of our most frequently asked questions about Sub-capacity licensing. To view answers, simply click a question.
Sub-capacity FAQs: ILMT Questions
Sub-capacity FAQs: ILMT Answers
| # | Question | Answer | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Is ILMT mandatory for sub-capacity licensing? |
Yes, in most cases. Unless a customer qualifies for one of the stated contractual exceptions, ILMT is a mandatory requirement. ITLCM V2.3 with Fix Pack #5 may be used in lieu of ILMT until migrated to TADd V7.2 as required by the terms of the sub-capacity offering. |
||||||||
| 2 | When did the IBM License Metric Tool become available? | ILMT was announced on 07/01/08 via US announcement letter is #208-197 (the other letter numbers are: Canada – A08-0973; EMEA/LA – ZP08-0263; AP – AP08-0197). It replaced its no-charge predecessors, ITLCM for IBM SW and ITLM (acronym detail defined in Q#7 below). With the availability of ILMT, the 2007 suspension of the requirement to use ITLCM was rescinded and existing sub-cap customers were then required to use ILMT. Refer to the 'Announcements' tab for additional details | ||||||||
| 3 | What are the exceptions to the requirement to use ILMT for sub-capacity licensing? |
There are four exceptions – the tool is not required when:
|
||||||||
| 4 | I already have a tool in place that provides the same information as IBM's tool, would IBM still insist that I use ILMT? | Yes. While there are many tools that are able to determine the software inventory and perhaps even the processor core type available to a physical server or partition (physical or virtual), ILMT (and ITLCM V2.3 with FP05, and TADd V7.2) are the only tools capable of the on-going monitoring of virtualized server environments to measure the maximum (peak) capacity available to the IBM software – and report those requirements as measured in PVUs. | ||||||||
| 5 | For a customer who qualifies for an ILMT exception and is doing manual tracking/reporting, what tools can the customer use to supplement manual efforts? |
For the announced exceptions to the ILMT requirement, the manual counting/reporting requirement can be supplemented by alternative tools as long as they assist in an accurate measure of the peak PVU capacity by software product. There are several products in the marketplace that can perform simple software inventory scans and even fewer solutions exist that can determine the type of processor core on the hardware server (a requirement to determine the number of PVUs to be licensed). But unlike ILMT, these tools are unable to provide on-going monitoring of changes to the processor core capacity of a virtualized partition, to capture the maximum (peak) capacity available to the IBM PVU-based software. Even ILMT can be used in unsupported, yet eligible server virtualization technology environments to assist in capturing the servers' basic hardware processor core and software inventory information -- but if ILMT doesn't support the virtualization technology, it will not generate the correct answer for partitions, LPARs, VMs, domains, etc. That data must be captured manually using whatever means provided by the operating systems, virtualization technologies, change management logs, etc. |
||||||||
| 6 | What is the difference between ITLM, ITLCM, ITLCM for IBM SW, TADd, and ILMT? |
These unofficial acronyms represent past and present product names: ITLM: IBM Tivoli License Manager (was withdrawn and replaced by ITLCM on 02/21/06) ITLCM: IBM Tivoli License Compliance Manager (fee-based, commercial product, withdrawn on 07/28/09 and replaced by TADd) ITLCM for IBM SW: IBM Tivoli License Compliance Manager for IBM Software (no-charge version, replaced by ILMT) TADd: Tivoli Asset Discovery for Distributed (replaced fee-based ITLCM on 07/28/09) ILMT: IBM License Metric Tool (replaced ITLCM for IBM SW on 07/01/08) Only ILMT (D561HLL) and TADd (D0A1ULL) are currently available) |
||||||||
| 7 | Is ILMT 'self-monitoring', in other words, like a 'set and forget' tool? | No. ILMT is server/agent-based solution designed to provide on-going monitoring of sophisticated server virtualization technologies across complex server configurations. Most customers capable of deploying complex virtualized server technologies such as PowerVM and VMware, will have the capability of deploying ILMT. However, ILMT needs to leverage a customer's IT asset management processes and disciplines. Customers who already have these in place will find that ILMT complements their efforts. | ||||||||
| 8 | Does IBM require that customers report their sub-capacity results each quarter similar to how SCRT is used for System z Software? | No, see the reporting-related questions on the Overview tab. SCRT (Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool) is only used in support of System z software. For more information on sub-capacity licensing for System z software visit the Sub-Capacity Corner | ||||||||
| 9 | How long do customers have to install ILMT? |
New sub-capacity customers are required to implement IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT), Tivoli Asset Discovery for Distributed (TADd) or IBM Tivoli License Compliance Manager V2.3 with FP05 (ITLCM) within 90 days of their first Eligible Sub-Capacity Product deployment on an Eligible Virtualization Environment. Existing sub-capacity customers should promptly upgrade to new versions, releases or modifications when they are made available per Section 3.2.3b of IPAA. Note that IBM intentionally does not prescribe a specific period of time for this term to accommodate various customer sizes. The intent is for customers to imply as soon as possible given their specific IT framework. |
||||||||
| 10 | What is IBM's recommendation to customers of the fee version of the IBM Tivoli License Compliance Manager? | For those customers currently using IBM Tivoli License Compliance Manager V2.3 (D561CLL only), a fix pack necessary to bring ITLCM V2.3 up to date with current Passport Advantage Sub-Capacity Licensing requirements for eligible virtualization technologies was released in late December 2008. For more information on this fix pack see: IBM Tivoli License Compliance Manager 2.3, Fix Pack 2.3.0-TIV-TLCM-FP0005. With this fix pack applied, ITLCM V2.3 can be used in lieu of ILMT to satisfy this requirement of the sub-capacity offering until migrated to TADd V7.2 as required by the terms of the sub-capacity offering. | ||||||||
| 11 | Does this mean I have to install ILMT in addition to the commercial version of ITLCM or TADd? | No, IBM does not require both products to be installed. ITLCM V2.3 with fix pack #5 can be used in lieu of ILMT until migrated to TADd V7.2 as required by the terms of the sub-capacity offering. | ||||||||
| 12 | Will the previous no-charge tool, the IBM Tivoli License Compliance Manager for IBM Software, satisfy the requirements of the sub-capacity offering? | No, ITLCM for IBM SW will not satisfy the requirements of the current sub-capacity offering. IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) is the replacement for ITLCM for IBM SW. The commercial version of ITLCM V2.3 was replaced by TADd V7.2 on 07/28/09, and can be used in lieu of ILMT if Fix Pack #5 is applied until migrated to TADd V7.2 as required by the terms of the sub-capacity offering. | ||||||||
| 13 | Does a customer who has a product such as WAS need to generate a report on all servers that have WAS? | Yes, if the customer intends to license WAS for less than the full capacity of the servers where it is deployed | ||||||||
| 14 | If a customer has multiple instances or packages of a product running in a single partition, how are the PVUs counted? | PVUs are licensed based on the processor core capacity that is available to the IBM middleware. From a licensing perspective, a partition can have any number of "instances" or "packages" (not a legally defined term) of a product running, we do not count those multiple instances of that product -- we only license based on the maximum (peak) processor cores assigned to that partition and available to that product. If the number of instances causes the partition's capacity to be increased, ILMT will capture that "high water mark" so that the customer can ensure compliance with our terms. | ||||||||
| 15 | What selection do I make under IBM's My Notifications in order to be notified when ILMT updates become available? |
After logging in with your IBM ID, click on the 'Subscribe' tab, select 'Tivoli' under Software, then find 'IBM License Metric Tool' among the listed products and check the box. If you do not have an IBM ID, visit My Account Profile. |
||||||||
| 16 | Does IBM supply the dedicated server required to run ILMT? | No, it is the customer's responsibility to provide the underlying infrastructure (server, network, etc.) and resources to deploy and manage it. Note that ILMT can also run in a dedicated partition assuming the server/partition meet the minimum hardware/software requirements. See IBM License Metric Tool. | ||||||||
| 17 | How is the IBM Metric Tool licensed? | ILMT is licensed on a "per establishment“ basis. This means a customer is permitted to deploy an unlimited number of copies of the IBM License Metric Tool, only on machines owned or leased by you, that are located at a single physical site, including the surrounding campus and satellite offices, irrespective of the server environment being monitored. | ||||||||
| 18 | Why is ILMT's default reporting period set at montly when the terms allow for quarterly reporting? | The sub-capacity terms reflect quarterly reporting as the maximum amount of time allowed before having to analyze, reconcile, and sign the ILMT reports. Most customers will probably need to perform this effort on a monthly basis, thus the default setting. Some customers, with very dynamic server environments, where partitions are resized/moved frequently and/or with changes in their software inventory, may need to create weekly reports in order to keep up with the volume of change. Only customers with the most stable of virtualized server environments would be able to maintain compliance with IBM licensing terms by doing quarterly reports. | ||||||||
| 19 | Who does IBM expect as the appropriate person to sign the audit report given the requirement that says "Each audit report must be signed in order to be certified? |
"Signed" is an expression for the electronic action taken by the customer within the tool to certify that the reconciled data is accurate. For further explanation, visit ILMT’s online Information Center and specifically the Signed Audit Reports topic. You may also find the section on User Roles helpful as well as the available Tutorials. Customers who qualify for an ILMT requirement exception must similarly reconcile and certify the results of their manual tracking/reconciliation/reports at least quarterly. |
||||||||
| 20 | Where can I find examples of the reports that ILMT generates? |
Example screenshots can be found in the ILMT Information Center, the ILMT Tutorials, as well as in the STE webcast replay presentations listed in Q&A 22 below. In addition, we have set of ILMT sample reports available for download. To download and save to your harddrive, right click, the ILMT Sample Reports link and select save as). |
||||||||
| 21 | What information is available to customers to learn more about ILMT and the Sub-Capacity licensing offering? |
Be sure to view or download the Sub-capacity licensing overview In addition, there are ILMT-specific webcast replays from 3Q09 which can be accessed as follows:
Technical Exchange Webcast Replays for TAD4D / ILMT V7.2 - Playback - Slides Server Installation - Playback - Slides Configuration, Agent and Security - Playback - Slides Product Use - Playback - Slides Upgrade - Playback - Slides Event Password for all sessions: ‘tiv0li’ [0 is a zero]
|
||||||||
| 22 | What if a customer needs help installing and deploying the IBM License Metric Tool? |
IBM provides ILMT (and the above referenced webcasts) to our customers for no-charge. Customers are responsible for providing the accompanying IT infrastructure (server/partition, network, skilled resources). In addition, ILMT provides for self-paced tutorials. The previous FAQ (#21), mentioned the ILMT-specific webcasts, and in these a chart describes a fee-based QuickStart services offering for North American and EMEA customers for installation and deployment services of ILMT. Customers interested in this may contact Mike Sarna (msarna@us.ibm.com) for North America. And for EMEA, contact Vipul Shah (vipul.shah@uk.ibm.com). Here is an example of the typical task list and deliverables that would be developed into a Statement of Work:
General Information
IBM Responsibilities
Customer Responsibilities
Task List
Tasks and Phases
Software Installation
Training & Knowledge Transfer
Deliverables
Duration
|
||||||||
| 23 | Is it necessary to have ILMT on disaster recovery back-up servers to monitor the processor core capacity required for licensing terms? |
Yes, you should install agents on any backup server where ILMT is also installed on the primary server/partition. You can then exclude such instances from PVU calculation if a license is not required (typically warm/cold back-ups, but the license requirement can vary by product). For specifics, refer to the product's announcement letter [by searching the Offering Information Web] or the product's License Information Document [by conducting a Software license agreements search]. |
||||||||
| 24 | Where can I find the requirements for ILMT? | Go to the FAQ web page for ILMT where you will find additional product-specific Q&As | ||||||||
| 25 | Where can I find more FAQs specific to ILMT? | Go to the FAQ web page for ILMT where you will find additional product-specific Q&As |