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 Which minimum requirements are necessary for migration from AIX7.1.0 to AIX7.2.5?

Daniel Felipe Chinome Guevara's profile image
Daniel Felipe Chinome Guevara posted Thu March 20, 2025 12:51 PM

Hi team,

I'm starting to migrating our olds AIX machines on Power8, from AIX7.1.0 to AIX7.2.5. 

My question is: Which minimum requirements are necessary for migration? I dont know if it's necessary upgrade Power8's firmware, HBA or else. 

Machine Type: 8286-42A
Firmware: SV860_FW860.31 (109)
VIO: 2.2.6.00

Anywhere I can find this information? I didnt find this information, and I'd like to know if I can migrate those os with upgrade hardware firmware or what kind of considerations I should have

Damien LEMAGNEN's profile image
Damien LEMAGNEN posted Fri March 21, 2025 06:52 AM

Hello,

Even if there is no limitations for the migration you are expected to do, it is a best practice to update/migrate all your components to more recent version because firmware and VIOS are very old in your case. You can encountered perfomance issues and security issues.

I recommend you firmware updates to SV860_246 and VIOS migration to 4.1.1.0.

HMC and P8 Firmwares :

First you will need to update HMC and Power firmware according to this matrix :

https://esupport.ibm.com/customercare/flrt/matrix?domain=mtm=8286-42A&pkey=pwr

The only firmwares available to download for P8 are SV860_245 and SV860_246 if you have IBM support for your server. In your case this firmware update will be disruptive because you have a too old version installed.

After you can use IBM MDS to help you to find adapter drivers for HBA, ethernet card, SAS...

https://esupport.ibm.com/customercare/mds/

VIOS :

It will be a must to migrate your VIOS to more recent version, your system is compatible.

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6027184

First update from 2.2.6.0 to 2.2.6.65.

After migrate to 3.1.4.31 

This link provide helpfull informations : https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-powervm-recommended-upgrade-paths-virtual-io-server-vios-version-31

Then after migrate to 4.1.1.0.

You can follow this excellent article from Jacqui Lynch : https://techchannel.com/systems-management/how-to-upgrade-to-powervm-v4-1-0-10/

I've already migrated VIOS to 4.1.1.0 on Power8 in SV860_246 with no issues.

Regards.

---

Damien LEMAGNEN

Power/AIX system engineer

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