There’s an abundance of technical information about IBM i available and it can be a bit overwhelming for new and seasoned users alike. The purpose of this roadmap, which was pulled together by IBM i subject matter experts, is to help users who want to learn about IBM i but don’t know where to start.

To make it even easier to find what you’re looking for, we’ve organized the resources into these three categories:

Develop on IBM i

Links to the tools, services, trials, and downloads you need for developing on and managing IBM i.

Technology updates

Tools and services

• IBM Lab ServicesProvides proven consulting in installation, migration, porting, application architecture and development, performance tuning, and hands-on skills transfer.

• IBM Systems Workload EstimatorTool to size a new system, to size an upgrade to an existing system, or to size a consolidation of several systems.

• IBM System Planning Tool for POWER processor-based systemsSystem planning, design, validation and provides a system validation report that reflects the user’s system requirements while not exceeding system recommendations.

• IBM Systems Energy EstimatorEstimate typical power requirements (watts) for a specific system configuration under normal operating conditions.

• IBM Performance Management for Power SystemsProvides critical resource and performance information about the current and long-term utilization trends – from a total system view to an individual logical partition view.

• IBM Electronic Service AgentA monitoring tool that proactively reports hardware events as soon as they are detected.

• IBM Power Development CloudRemotely access IBM Power Systems for Development, Porting and Functional testing.

Trials and downloads

• IBM Rational Developer for iDownload IBM Rational Developer for i for an evaluation period of 60 days (120 days if installing with the latest fixpack).

• Open Source RPG User InterfaceFree, open source and light weight framework for RPG developers on the IBM i to use for building modern looking applications.

Learn about IBM i

Start here to get up to speed on working with IBM i.

Featured

• IBM i technical libraryList of articles and tutorials written by IBM i subject matter experts.

• IBM i 7.3 product documentationIBM Knowledge Center information about how to install, maintain, and use the latest version of IBM i.

• Guide to IBM i PTFsLearn about the various methods for downloading or ordering program temporary fixes (PTFs) to help you find the best method for you.

• IBM i Support: Recommended fixesGet the latest fix information directly from the IBM i Support Center without a telephone call. Locate the fix for a specific problem or obtain the latest fixes.

IBM Redbooks and Redpapers

• IBM i RedbooksFiltered list of IBM Redbooks about working with IBM i.

• Tools and Solutions for Modernizing Your IBM i ApplicationsDescribes independent software vendor (ISV) and Business Partner tools that can be used to modernize your IBM i applications.

• IBM DB2 Web Query for i TutorialsProvides a broad understanding of what can be done with the DB2 Web Query product.

IBM i Support

IBM i upgrade resources

• Upgrade planningLearn to plan future solutions as you enhance, upgrade or replace your servers with new operating system releases and/or hardware offerings.

• IBM i 7.2 memo to usersHelps you to prepare for changes on your current system and to use the IBM i 7.2 release.

• IBM i 7.3 memo to usersHelps you to prepare for changes on your current system and to use the IBM i 7.3 release.

IBM i technical white papers

• IBM Power Systems Performance Capabilities ReferenceReference guide on performance, capacity planning information, and tips to obtain optimal performance on IBM i operating system.

• DB2 for i 7.3 OverviewA short summary of v7.3 enhancements in DB2 for i with links to additional detailed information.

• IBM i Performance FAQProvides a basic understanding of IBM i on Power Systems performance concepts, workloads and benchmarks on Power Systems.

• Using IBM DB2 for i HTTP UDFs and UDTFsExplains how to access web services using IBM DB2 for i SQL queries and user-defined functions.

Connect with the IBM i community

Collaborate with other IBM i users. Join the community, share your expertise, and get support from the experts.

Communities and user groups

• IBM i communityA collaborative environment for sharing technical information related to IBM i.

• IBM i Open Source AggregationCommunity for aggregating all things IBM i Open Source so users can easily find what is going on.

• midrangeWikiCommunity created knowledge base for all things IBM i.

Forums

• RPG CafeDiscussion of the RPG language.

• IBM i – GeneralForum for the interchange of information related to all IBM i topics.

• IBM i: Backup/RecoveryForu, for IBM i & System i questions related to backup and recovery.

• IBM i: FirmwareForum for IBM i & System i questions related to firmware.

• IBM i: Access for LinuxForum for discussing the various commands (ibm5250, setup5250, cwbrunsql, rmtcmd, rmtodbc, cwbping, cwbcopwr, cwbtrc, cwbnltbl, cwbmedic), programming interfaces (ODBC, EDRS, Remote Command, etc.) and features of Access for Linux.

• DB2 Web Query for IBM iForum for technical discussion on the DB2 Web Query for IBM i product.

• IBM i: Logical Partitioning (LPAR)Forum provides a place for uestions related to Logical Partitioning on IBM i.

• lists.midrange.com Mailing ListsListing of all the public mailing lists on lists.midrange.com.

Blogs

• i CanTechnical tips and techniques from IBM i technical expert, Dawn May.

• You and iIBM i trends and strategies from IBM i Chief Architect, Steve Will.

• DB2 for iInsight and perspectives on data management using IBM i