AWS re:Invent 2025 - Hybrid Foundations to Cloud Innovation Transforming IBM i/AIX Workloads w/ AWS

Hybrid Foundations to Cloud Innovation: Transforming IBM i/AIX Workloads with AWS

Key Challenges for IBM i/AIX Workloads

• Cybersecurity, high availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR), and compliance/regulations are major concerns for enterprises running IBM i/AIX systems
• Skills shortage and modernization are unique challenges for IBM i/AIX environments
• Despite these challenges, many companies are still heavily invested in IBM i/AIX as a mission-critical system of record

The Need for a Hybrid Approach

• Lifting and shifting IBM i/AIX workloads to the public cloud is not feasible due to performance requirements
• 75% of enterprises still run IBM i/AIX workloads on-premises, unable to fully leverage public cloud benefits
• Hybrid cloud architectures can enable a gradual, flexible migration path

Light Edge's Hybrid Cloud Solution

• Light Edge hosts IBM Power systems in their own data centers, connected to AWS via high-speed direct connect
• This allows customers to:
  • Run IBM i/AIX workloads in a hosted environment with low-latency access to AWS
  • Migrate 70-90% of traditional IT workloads to AWS while keeping mission-critical IBM i/AIX systems intact
  • Leverage AWS services and cloud-native capabilities without a full application rewrite

Key Technical Capabilities

• Dual IBM Power availability zones in Ashburn, VA for high availability and failover
• SAN-based replication and flash-copy backups for data protection and disaster recovery
• Managed services for patching, maintenance, and upgrades to reduce IT burden

Business Benefits

1. Large Shipping and Logistics Company:

   • Moved IBM i ERP system to Light Edge's hosted environment, connected to AWS
   • Achieved 98% reduction in downtime, enabling continuous operations and improved security
   • Leveraged AWS services like Redshift and Sagemaker to drive digital transformation

2. Major Latin American Bank:

   • Lifted and shifted core banking systems to Light Edge's hybrid cloud
   • Enabled high availability, disaster recovery, and security compliance
   • Accelerated digital transformation by integrating IBM i with AWS microservices

3. Top Global Watchmaker:

   • Modernized IBM i/AIX environment after a ransomware attack exposed vulnerabilities
   • Implemented comprehensive backup and recovery solution to protect against data loss
   • Gained ability to restore systems to a pre-attack state, ensuring business continuity

Key Takeaways

• Hybrid cloud architectures provide a flexible, gradual path to modernization for IBM i/AIX workloads
• Hosted IBM Power environments connected to AWS enable enterprises to leverage public cloud benefits while preserving mission-critical systems
• Technical capabilities like high availability, disaster recovery, and managed services can address key challenges and free up IT resources
• Real-world examples demonstrate tangible business benefits, from improved uptime and security to accelerated digital transformation