Originally posted by: Yusata

Hi experts,
I have one pSeries machine using AIX 5.2 TL 9 with the following detail:
#######
System Model: IBM,9133-55A
Machine Serial Number: 062687H
Processor Type: PowerPC_POWER5
Number Of Processors: 2
Processor Clock Speed: 2097 MHz
CPU Type: 64-bit
Kernel Type: 32-bit
LPAR Info: 1 06-2687H
#######

as you can see, it has CPU Type 64bit and Kernel Type 32bit.
I have 2 questions to clarify my doubt.

1. are 'getconf HARDWARE_BITMODE' and 'bootinfo -K' represent 'CPU Type' and 'Kernel Type' respectively ?

2. I want upgrade my OS to AIX 5.3 TL 9 SP 5 in order to satisfy Oracle 11gR2 prerequirements. Will I get value '64' for the output of 'bootinfo -K' automaticly after fresh install AIX 5.3 on that machine ?

Currently 'bootinfo -K' is still '32' whereas Oracle 11gR2 requires '64' when I execute 'bootinfo -K'.

for your info, my HARDWARE_BITMODE is 64 already.

Need your advice,
Yusata.

Originally posted by: ostost

getconf HARDWARE_BITMODE shows if the machine is capable of running the 64 bit kernel.

getconf KERNEL_BITMODE shows the currently running kernel.

Also see:

http://dbluedst.pok.ibm.com/DCF/isg/isgintra.nsf/all/T1010828?OpenDocument&Highlight=0,bootinfo,getconf,HARDWARE_BITMODE

Originally posted by: ostost

Sorry I put the wrong link. This is the correct one.

https://www-304.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1010828&wv=1

Originally posted by: Yusata

Hi ostost,
I got the same result with getconf KERNEL_BITMODE, it seems 'bootinfo -K' is an old command and it's deprecated. Thanks for info about HARDWARE_BITMODE it makes me sure that my machine is capable of running 64 bit kernel, in other words I can switch 32bit to 64bit kernel safely.

Thanks,
Yusata

Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

Yusata , Please take a look at this link in infocenter. We had a need to change between 32 and 64 bit mode durring
db upgrades , and this will do what you need :
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/pseries/v5r3/index.jsp?topic=/com.ibm.aix.baseadmn/doc/baseadmndita/change32bit.htm

text :
To truly change the kernel to 64-bit from 32-bit, the system must be at least AIX® 5.1 or AIX 5.2 levels.

To change to a 64-bit kernel, enter the following commands:

ln -sf /usr/lib/boot/unix_64 /unix
ln -sf /usr/lib/boot/unix_64 /usr/lib/boot/unix
lslv -m hd5
bosboot -ad /dev/ipldevice
shutdown -Fr

Good Luck ,, Charlie

Originally posted by: Yusata

Charlie,
Thanks the link you provided is helpful, but you said
"To truly change the kernel to 64-bit from 32-bit, the system must be at least AIX® 5.1 or AIX 5.2 levels."

How about AIX 5.3 TL 9 ? I have plan to upgrade my AIX to that version. Will I get kernel type 64bit automatically without change any kernel configuration after install it to my machine ?

Thanks,
Yusata.

Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

Yusata , For AIX 5.3 , If the installation is on 64 bit hardware , it will automatically load as 64 bit. It has been several years since we did our upgrades , so I honestly dont remeber if it altered our existing config. I honestly believe , since we did migration upgrades , that they stayed at 32 bit. When you execute the commands from my previous
post , it will stay 64 bit unless you change it. We were changing from 32 to 64 back and forth for several weeks while our dba's were doing db upgrades.

Charlie

Originally posted by: Yusata

Great!
Thanks Charlie, clear enough with your explanation :)

Thanks,
Yusata.