New patches, PTFs, and security errata
OEM software maintenance
Included while the subscription is active, usually for releases the manufacturer still supports.
NETRAID software support
Not included. Those files stay on the manufacturer entitlement.
OS and software support
Software support, next to OEM software maintenance.
Manufacturer software maintenance is the entitlement: new patches, PTFs, and license keys. NETRAID software support is engineering help on the release that is installed, including releases the manufacturer has already ended.
The distinction
Most OEM software maintenance assumes the next release.
If a Solaris 10 host or an HP-UX 11.31 partition is staying put, you need someone who will pick up the version that is running. A renewal conversation that only offers a newer release does not answer that.
Switching software support does not move the license. It does not turn on a private stream of manufacturer fixes. It puts an engineer on the system you have. Hardware repair can be written on the same NETRAID agreement.
License keys
OEM software maintenance
Issued by the manufacturer.
NETRAID software support
Stay with the manufacturer. We do not resell or transfer them.
Help on the release that is installed
OEM software maintenance
Often limited once that release is past standard support.
NETRAID software support
That is the work. Current releases are in scope too.
Moving to a newer release
OEM software maintenance
Renewal conversations often assume the next version.
NETRAID software support
Not required. We cover the host while you decide.
Before you leave the manufacturer
OEM software maintenance
Download the last firmware, patches, and keys you are still entitled to.
NETRAID software support
We help you list those files and confirm they are saved.
Hardware repair
OEM software maintenance
Usually a separate manufacturer contract.
NETRAID software support
Can sit on the same NETRAID agreement as the OS line.
| OEM software maintenance | NETRAID software support | |
|---|---|---|
| New patches, PTFs, and security errata | Included while the subscription is active, usually for releases the manufacturer still supports. | Not included. Those files stay on the manufacturer entitlement. |
| License keys | Issued by the manufacturer. | Stay with the manufacturer. We do not resell or transfer them. |
| Help on the release that is installed | Often limited once that release is past standard support. | That is the work. Current releases are in scope too. |
| Moving to a newer release | Renewal conversations often assume the next version. | Not required. We cover the host while you decide. |
| Before you leave the manufacturer | Download the last firmware, patches, and keys you are still entitled to. | We help you list those files and confirm they are saved. |
| Hardware repair | Usually a separate manufacturer contract. | Can sit on the same NETRAID agreement as the OS line. |
Before you leave
Save the last files while the entitlement is still active.
While the manufacturer subscription is still in force, download the firmware, patches or PTFs, and license keys you are allowed to keep. Put them where your own team can reach them after the contract ends. Once the entitlement stops, that download path usually stops with it.
We can help you build that list and check that the files are actually on disk. We cannot download something your contract does not allow.
What you do not have to do
An upgrade is not the price of admission.
You do not have to move to a newer release to start this support. If a move is what you want, that is a project with its own quote. If the host should stay on the release it has, that is the support agreement.
The license stays yours. Independent software support does not resell it, transfer it, or replace it. If the operating system requires a license to run, you keep meeting that requirement.
Hardware cost, which is a different comparison, is on OEM vs third-party maintenance. Dated manufacturer end-of-support figures are on each platform page. How a case is opened is on how OS support works.
FAQ
Common questions.
Is this a replacement for IBM Software Maintenance, Oracle Premier Support, or Red Hat subscriptions?
No. Those products include entitlements: new fixes, errata, and the right to download them. NETRAID software support is engineering help on the system you run. Keep the manufacturer subscription if you still need new patches.
What should we save before the manufacturer contract ends?
The last firmware, patches or PTFs, and license keys your entitlement still allows you to download. Store them where your own team can reach them. We can help make that list and check that the files are actually saved. We cannot pull files the entitlement does not allow.
Do we have to upgrade to start?
No. Support is for the release that is installed. A move to a newer release is a project, and only if you want it.
Who owns the OS license?
You do. Independent software support does not transfer, resell, or replace the manufacturer license. If the OS requires a license to run, that requirement stays yours.
Can the hardware be on the same agreement?
Yes. Part replacement and OS software support can be one NETRAID contract. You can also buy only the OS line.
What happens on a Linux host if we drop the subscription?
You stop receiving new packages and errata from that vendor. The host keeps running. We can still work the kernel, the services, and the cluster. We will not have a private channel of Red Hat or SUSE fixes.
Same-day quote
Tell us which subscription you are leaving, and which hosts stay.
Version, host count, and whether the hardware should be on the same agreement.
Keep the entitlement if you still need new patches.
Use software support for the release that is installed. We will say which is which on the quote.