Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for generating an advanced function usage planning report. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a detection module, a monitoring module, and a planning report module. The detection module detects use of an advanced function on a storage controller. The advanced function includes an optional storage function beyond a standard function set. The monitoring module monitors the use of the advanced function on the storage controller. The planning report module generates a planning report based at least in part on use information from the monitored use of the advanced function.

Abstract: For advanced function usage-based billing, a processor detects the storage controller associating a microcode version for a given advanced function of one or more advanced functions with a logical volume. A given customer is associated with the logical volume. In response to detecting the storage controller associating the microcode version for the given advanced function with the logical volume, the processor monitors for use of a memory address of the microcode version and a logical volume address of the logical volume. The processor further detects an associated use of the memory address of the microcode version and the logical volume address of the logical volume. In response to detecting the associated use, the processor communicates the given advanced function and the given customer to a billing entity.

Abstract: For advanced function usage-based billing, a processor detects the storage controller associating a microcode version for a given advanced function of one or more advanced functions with a logical volume. A given customer is associated with the logical volume. In response to detecting the storage controller associating the microcode version for the given advanced function with the logical volume, the processor monitors for use of a memory address of the microcode version and a logical volume address of the logical volume. The processor further detects an associated use of the memory address of the microcode version and the logical volume address of the logical volume. In response to detecting the associated use, the processor communicates the given advanced function and the given customer to a billing entity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for advanced function usage-based billing. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a detection module, a monitoring module, and a billing report module. The detection module detects use of one or more advanced functions on a storage controller. Each advanced function includes a license-based storage function separate from a standard function set. The monitoring module monitors the detected use of the one or more advanced functions on the storage controller. The communication module communicates billable use information to a billing entity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for generating an advanced function usage planning report. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a detection module, a monitoring module, and a planning report module. The detection module detects use of an advanced function on a storage controller. The advanced function includes an optional storage function beyond a standard function set. The monitoring module monitors the use of the advanced function on the storage controller. The planning report module generates a planning report based at least in part on use information from the monitored use of the advanced function.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for advanced function monitoring. One embodiment of the apparatus includes an identification module, a detection module, and a monitoring module. The identification module identifies one or more advanced functions for a storage controller. The one or more advanced functions include optional storage functions beyond a standard function set. The detection module detects use of a particular advanced function of the one or more identified advanced functions. The monitoring module monitors the detected use of the particular advanced function on the storage controller according to a monitoring routine.

Abstract: A feature key is provided to enable a specific feature in a target system, such as an IBM® Enterprise Storage Server®. The key includes fields identifying at least a portion of a serial number of the target system, identifying the feature on the target system to be enabled, and identifying a quantity associated with the feature to be enabled. Including the serial number ensures that the feature key will enable the feature on only the designated system and including the quantity ensures that only the quantity (of storage space, for example) paid for by the customer will be enabled. Additional fields may also be included identifying a storage architecture on which the feature is to be enabled, identifying a machine on which the feature is to be enabled, and identifying a sequence of prior feature keys generated for the feature on the target system.