Originally posted by: Miguel_Sanders

I hope that someone can explain this.
In the "old" days TLs/MLs were released consecutively in chronological order.
Now service packs for TL6/TL7 (and even TL8 now) are being released concurrently, independant of each other it seems.
Can someone clarify the relationship?
I am currently having TL6 SP5 boxes. Should I upgrade to TL6 SP6, or TL7 SP3 or even to TL8 SP1? Not so clear to me...

Thnx a lot for your help

(http://www-933.ibm.com/eserver/support/fixes/fixcentral/pfixpacks/53)

Originally posted by: jvk

A general simple rule: don't move back in time, even if you go to a higher TL.

When moving up to a new TL, you must move to a SP that is the same or later (in terms of date/time
release) than your current SP. The SP number itself (IE SP5) will not be the same, because the Service
Packs will be numbered consecutively as they are released, but the dates will tell you where you need
to be on the new TL. In general, it is recommended that you apply the latest Service Pack when moving
to a new TL.

Using the example, if you are currently at TL6 SP5 (5300-06-05-0806), then you would
not be allowed to install TL7 SP1 (5300-07-01-0748), because 0806 was released after 0748,
and therefore will have fixes and hardware enablement that 0748 does not have.

From 5300-06-05-0806 you can move up to the following levels:

• 5300-06-06-0811 ( here you stay at same TL)
• 5300-07-02-0806
• 5300-07-03-0811
• 5300-08-00-0818

You should move to a new TL:
• If your existing TL is out or is about to go out of the New Fixes Available period
• You want to use new function and/or features in a new TL. Hardware exploitation, such
as large page space or new software function, such as multibos, will only be released in a TL.
• You are going to test a new level for distribution into your production environment and
want to get the longest period of new fixes available. In this case, you should move to
the latest TL.

More info:
http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/best/aix_service_strategy_v3.pdf

Originally posted by: Miguel_Sanders

Ok I understand the time aspect.
However, given the example:
Based on which criteria should I go to either 5300-07-02-0806 or 5300-07-03-0811 or even 5300-08-00-0818?
Should I browse through the fix lists and new feature lists each time?
Also, will a fix in 5300-07-02-0806 also be covered in 5300-08-00-0818? (I think so...)

Thnx!

Originally posted by: kappa

Hi,

the AIX Service Strategy Paper (see previous posting) has been written to answer such questions.

Originally posted by: Miguel_Sanders

I read it thoroughly and it doesn't explain it.

Originally posted by: dukessd

Seems pretty clear to me after reading that doc.

Page 10, Maximum Stability Model:
We would recommend planning around SP3.

So 5300-07-03-0811 is your man.

As for the fix lists and new features, well worth a read just to let you know what new toys you'll have to play with and if it touches on any sensitive areas in your environment.

On fixes, yes they apply to all releases by date, so if it is in 0806 it should be in 0818.
That is why you should not go back in date terms, because you could introduce regression.

Originally posted by: kappa

Hi,

this is my personal approach / my criteria:

TL8: I do not use TLs that are not older than 1 month for production
TL7: skeptical, too many new features, TSM StgAgent would not even start with TL7
TL6: yes, with a high SP level

Then, be conservative, do not fix if there is no indication ...