AIX Migration Prep

Edit: Still good information

Originally posted March 6, 2018 on AIXchange

Here’s an oldie but a goody: a document covering AIX migration preparation:

Information regarding version 5, 6 and 7 installation:

  • In AIX V5, at the first reboot after an install, you will be prompted to view/accept your licenses before you can continue to use your system.
  • Starting in AIX Version 6.1, a separate Software Maintenance Agreement (SWMA) acceptance window displays during installation immediately after the license acceptance window. The response to the SWMA acceptance (accept or decline) is stored on the system, and either response allows the installation to proceed, unlike license acceptance which requires an accept to proceed.
  • NIM masters/servers which are to serve version 5, 6 or 7 resources should be upgraded first. A NIM master/server must be at the same level or later than the software in any resources being served.
  • Any migration will require more space. If you have no free partitions in the root volume group, or all file systems are near full, it would be a good idea to add another disk to the rootvg. Alternatively you can install a mksysb of the system to a larger disk before running the migration. See the table below for the required space information for AIX 5, 6, and 7.

For more complete information on your release, it is highly recommended you review the Release Notes.

5.3 Release Notes

6.1 Release Notes

7.1 Release Notes

NOTE:

The latest version of the media should be used to do the migration. The latest version will always be shipped when you order the media. If you have an older version of the media and would like to obtain the latest version, you can order it at the following web site:

IBM Entitled Software Ordering and Download

If assistance is required registering for the site, call Software Delivery (1-800-879-2755 opt2 then opt2 again for the U.S.). They will require the machine model and serial number of a machine licensed to run the AIX version you are ordering. Outside the U.S., contact your local support center. 

Those who regularly do migrations may find this information to be pretty basic, but for everyone else–particularly people who are new to supporting AIX–it’s a great resource.