Verifying access keys before you get the server firmware fixes

POWER8® systems include an update access key that is checked when system firmware updates are applied to the system. Update access keys include an expiration date. System firmware updates contain a release date. When you attempt to apply system firmware updates, if the release date for the firmware updates has passed the expiration date for the update access key, the updates will not be processed. A server is entitled to all firmware updates that were made available during the time period for which the server had a valid update access key. As these update access keys expire, they need to be replaced by using either the Hardware Management Console (HMC) or the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI). To determine the access key expiration date, complete one of the following procedures. To renew the hardware entitlement of this system, obtain a new update access key from the website http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/ess/index.wss.