Hardware Maintenance and Spares Support

Third-party hardware maintenance keeps servers, storage and networking gear running after the manufacturer's warranty or support ends, by supplying tested spare parts and replacement support for failed components. It is for IT teams that want to extend the life of stable systems instead of replacing them on the OEM's schedule.

When it makes sense

• The system is past its OEM warranty and the renewal price is high compared with its remaining value.
• The model has reached end of support (EOS) and the manufacturer no longer sells contracts.
• The workload is stable and does not need new firmware features.
• You run many identical systems and want spares on hand for fast swaps.

Third-party support covers hardware. It does not include OEM software updates, firmware entitlements or licenses that the manufacturer only provides under its own contracts. Check what your platform needs before you switch.

How it works

1. Send your installed base. List brand, model, serial number (where possible), location and the service level you need.
2. We review coverage. We check which parts we can supply for each model and condition.
3. You get a proposal. It lists the systems covered, parts coverage and terms. Contracts run for 12 to 60 months and are billed monthly or yearly in advance.
4. Report a failure. Contact us with the system serial, failed part and error details by email (sales@northernitshop.com) or phone (+1 (289) 803-0106). Support hours are Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm ET.
5. Replacement part ships. We send a tested replacement part. In-stock parts usually ship the same or next business day after the failure is confirmed, by express courier.
6. Return the failed part. Send the failed part back within 14 days, using the return details we give you.

What we cover

• Servers: HPE ProLiant, Dell PowerEdge, Lenovo ThinkSystem and System x, Cisco UCS, Supermicro and others. We confirm the models and generations covered in your proposal.
• Storage: drives, controllers, power supplies and other field-replaceable parts for storage arrays and disk shelves, confirmed per model in your proposal.
• Networking: switches, power supplies, fans and optics, confirmed per model in your proposal.
• Common spares: drives with the correct carriers, memory, power supplies, fans, RAID controllers, batteries and system boards.

Our support is parts-only. Your own team or your IT service provider fits the replacement part.

Spares kits

If you prefer to hold your own spares, we can put together a kit for your installed base: for example, a few drives, memory modules and power supplies for each server model you run. You keep the kit on site and replace failed parts yourself. Order replacements through an RFQ as the kit is used.

What you get

• Tested spare parts matched to your exact OEM part numbers, including FRU and spare numbers.
• One point of contact for part failures: our support desk at sales@northernitshop.com.
• A defined service level, written into your contract, including what is excluded.
• Warranty on supplied parts as described on our warranty page.

FAQ

Will third-party parts void my OEM warranty?

If a system is still under OEM warranty, check the manufacturer's terms before fitting third-party parts. Most buyers move to third-party support once the OEM warranty has ended.

Can you support end-of-life systems?

Yes, that is the main use case. Availability of parts for older models depends on the market, so we confirm coverage per model in the proposal. See our guide on buying end-of-life hardware.

Do you supply firmware updates?

No. Firmware and software entitlements stay with the manufacturer. We supply hardware and hardware support only.

What response times do you offer?

We ship in-stock replacement parts the same or next business day after a failure is confirmed. Delivery time then depends on your location: usually 1–2 business days in Canada and the US, and 2–5 business days for the UK, Europe and other regions. Your proposal states the exact targets for each site.

Request a proposal

Send your system list through contact, or add the spare parts you need to an RFQ. We reply within 1 business day.