Identify Your Power6
Match your machine type to its exact IBM Power6 model, across the 520, 550, 570, and 595 line, before you decide what to do next.
"Power6" isn't one machine, it's a processor generation spanning four model families. Before you can plan support or a migration, you need the exact model and machine type, not just "it's a Power6." The machine type and model (MTM) is on a label on the unit, and it also shows in IBM i via WRKHDWRSC, or in AIX via lscfg -vp | grep -i model.
Power 520 Express (8203-E4A) -- entry
Deskside or 4U rack, 1-4 core configurations. The entry point into the Power6 line.
Power 550 Express (8204-E8A) -- entry/midrange
4U rack, up to 8 cores, up to 5.0 GHz on some POWER6+ configurations.
Power 570 (9117-MMA) -- midrange
4U building-block, 2-16 cores, 3.5 GHz POWER6 or 4.4-5.0 GHz POWER6+. One of the most widely deployed Power6 models.
Power 595 (9119-FHA) -- enterprise
Frame-based, 4-32 cores, up to 4.2 GHz POWER6+. IBM's flagship enterprise Power6 system.
A POWER6+ suffix indicates the later, higher-clocked refresh of the same generation, not a different generation. Every model above is past IBM's March 31, 2019 end-of-service date. Once you have identified your exact machine, visit its directory page for full specs and lifecycle status, then check our end-of-support and risk page and our migration comparison for what comes next.
IBM Power 520 (8203-E4A)
You have a Power 520 8203-E4A. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's entry-level Power6 workhorse, out of standard IBM support since March 2019.
8204-E8AIBM Power 550 (8204-E8A)
You have a Power 550 8204-E8A. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's step-up midrange Power6 server, out of standard IBM support since March 2019.
9117-MMAIBM Power 570 (9117-MMA)
You have a Power 570 9117-MMA. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's midrange Power6 building-block server, out of standard IBM support since March 2019, running on borrowed time.
9119-FHAIBM Power 595 (9119-FHA)
You have a Power 595 9119-FHA. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's flagship enterprise Power6 system, out of standard IBM support since March 2019.