Originally posted by: rldick

The AIX 7.2 Beta is now available for partners and selected customers.  As always with AIX, Binary Compatibility continues with the AIX 7.2 release, so if your applications run on AIX 6.1 or 7.1, they'll also run on AIX 7.2. For more on Binary Compatibility, go here.

You can access the Beta in one of several ways: 

• In house via Early Ship Program (ESP) access. (02/12/2016-This is now closed, and GA (General Availability) release is available)

Note: To participate through the ESP, you will need an activation key.  To obtain a key, fill out the form.

• Power Development Cloud. (available soon) - The Power Development Cloud AIX 7.2 Image has now been upgraded to the GA (General Availability) level.
• IBM Innovation Center.(available based on request)

At a glance, the AIX 7.2 release includes the following new function:

• AIX Live Update for Interim Fixes.

• Cluster Aware AIX (CAA) automation with repository replacement mechanism.

• SRIOV-backed Virtual Network Interface Card (VNIC).

• RDSv3 over RoCE adds support of the Oracle RDSv3 protocol over the

Mellanox Connect RoCE adapters.

• CAPI (Coherently Accelerator Processor Interface) infrastructure and support

for CAPI attached flash storage.

• Flash caching. Workloads can take advantage of a read-only cache.

We look forward to your participation and feedback!

Originally posted by: The_Doctor

Is it practical / possible for you to provide a list of minimum pre-reqs for this Beta release ?  For example:

• is Power 5 / 6 supported ?
• minimum VIO level needed ?
• is IVM on JS12 Blade supported ?
• minimum memory requirements ? 
• ?

or if it's already publicly published somewhere...... can you post a link ?

Thx.

Originally posted by: rldick

Here is some more on the 7.2 Beta that will answer your questions:

• AIX 7.2 only supports POWER7, and POWER8 Systems
• Except for several specific features, AIX 7.2 is compatible with all levels of firmware and VIOS that are supported on POWER7 & POWER8 Systems
• Yes, this should work (IVM on JS12 Blade) But does not because this is a POWER6 Blade....
• In General the Beta would require the same minimum Memory as AIX 7.1 (512 MB), but it could be less or more depending on configuration.  This may be helpful -> http://www-01.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/ssw_aix_71/com.ibm.aix.ntl/RELNOTES/GI11-9815-00.htm?lang=en

Nothing posted yet I can point to for other details, but this should get your planning started.  Thanks!

BTW - An update to my original Post,:  The Power Development Cloud is now available for Beta Testing.

Originally posted by: The_Doctor

Thx for the planning info.  It's a good start.

I'm surprised both Power 5 and Power 6 are excluded.... (shocked might be more accurate) but ok, I get it.  We will have to plan accordingly.

My question.... IVM on JS12 Blade.... wasn't meant as a trap or trick question.  I have several....  & was wondering if there where any gotchas relative to IVM and Power Blades.  Bottom line.... I guess there is one gotcha.... the JS12 Blade is Power 6 which, by definition, would exclude it from support on AIX 7.2.

Again, thx for all the heads up planning info.

Originally posted by: MarksHT

Hello,

I've been trying to gain access to AIX over PDP cloud to no avail, only Linux is available? Is this because AIX is still not available yet, the PDP site keeps talking about it...

But in my program access only Linux images are available:

https://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/ent/pdp/web/MyProgramAccess

Is there another way to gain access to an AIX instance over P8, we need to port  our code for IBM to P8?

I signed up for ESP and could get the AIX 7.2 beta however I still need a P8 to put it on?

Any help is appreciated, I tried PDP live and phone support but no help from them...

Thanks much!

Originally posted by: rldick

Hi MarksHT,

The good news is you should be able to get instant access to the POWER8 resource through the PDP with an AIX 7.2 Image.  I can see it when I go to "Programs" under the PDP request logged in under my Company (IBM).  However, I would not see it if I used a special PROMO Code, or if I came in as an Open Source Developer.

Is it possible you have a Promo Code, or are coming in as an Open Source Developer?  If not, using your company name, and "Virtual Server Access" under the reservation request should get you 3 choices for AIX (6.1, 7.1, or 7.2).

If you still run into a problem, I talked to the PDP team, and if you send them a screen shot of your reservation request with the AIX level dropdown shown, they'll look at it right away.

Thanks!