AIX provides the oslevel command that provides specific information related to the operating system level. The product numbering is based on the IBM Version, Release, Modification and Fix Level structure (VRMF).

Type in:

# oslevel -s

This will return output in the following format:

6100-09-02-1412

Here’s how to decode the output:

First four digits: Base Level (Version and Release (in this example 6.1))
Next two digits:Technology Level (Modification (in this example, 09))
Next two digits: Service Pack Level (Fix, in this example 02))
Last four digits: Release Date (YYWW (in this example, 12^th week of 2014))

For additional details, IBM has a publication called “AIX Service Strategy Details and Best Practices.” Find it here.

Very rarely do AIX customers move production systems to the most recent AIX level. In fact, I recommend that customers move to a level that has been out for about a year or so. I also recommend that they not go to an initial Version release, but wait for at least the first TL level. For a customer considering a migration from 6.1 to AIX 7, the big question is should I go to 7.1 or 7.2. Well, 7.2 has been out long enough, however, the first Technology Level release was just last fall, so I would be somewhat hesitant. It’s a much safer bet to go with 7.1 TL04, with SP1 or SP2. If you could wait until next Spring (2018), I’d be much more comfortable with AIX 7.2 TL01.

AIX V7.1 supports the following systems:

• IBM systems that run on the POWER4, PPC970, POWER5, POWER6, or POWER7 technology-based processors, including the IBM System p, System p5, IBM eServer p5, System i, and System i5 servers
• IBM eServer pSeries server product lines based on POWER4 and POWER5 processors
• IBM BladeCenter JS2x blades and IntelliStation POWER workstations

AIX V7.1 only supports the 64-bit kernel. Both 32-bit and 64-bit applications will continue to run unchanged on AIX V7.1, but 32-bit device drivers or kernel extensions are not supported on AIX V7.1.

It is in your best interest to check with your software vendor to assure that they support the software running on AIX 7. While IBM guarantees binary compatibility, which means, it should run just fine, some software vendors have not run their own tests and satisfied themselves that the applications work properly. In those cases, the vendor may not support their product unless it is running in a supported environment, and you don’t want to be caught in a predicament if a problem arose.

Even if a product is supported, some customers are hesitant to move their applications to another version. The safest way to proceed in these situations is to set up a sandbox environment, duplicating your existing production system and performing the upgrade and testing as necessary to satisfy yourself that everything works as expected before performing the upgrade to the live system.

Moving from one release to another is a different procedure than upgrading from one Technology level to another or adding a Service Pack. It is typically done by rebooting the server from an installation DVD and performing the migration install. There is another method that can minimize the amount of time you need to take for this maintenance outage using your NIM server. You also want to take precautionary measures to be able to revert to the original system quickly if something should go wrong during the migration.

Volta’s technical staff has extensive background and experience with AIX. We can assist with consultation and planning as well as implementation and follow up. Our methods are thoroughly tested in our own Business Partner Innovation Center before ever attempting them on customer equipment, so that we know exactly what procedures to use and what the outcome will be.

For those clients unable to upgrade from IBM AIX 6.1 Service Extension to a higher release, an IBM Service Extension can be purchased for up to 3 additional years. Find out more at
https://voltainc.com/ibm/aix-6-1-extension/​.

The latest IBM AIX release lifecycle information can be found at https://voltainc.com/ibm/aix-lifecycle.

Download the AIX Service Strategy Details and Best Practices​​​.

If you would like assistance in migrating to a newer release of AIX, visit Volta's AIX National Practice Support Page:
https://voltainc.com/ibm/aix-national-practice/.