Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

It may sound weird question but I would like someone to answer.

When we upgrade HMC Software e.g from V7R7.3.0.0 to V7R7.3.4.0. do we only need to take care of System Firmware (e.g 01AM730_078) - at what level it is and ensure it is compatible with next level of HMC or we shall consider what level VIO servers are ( we have 2 VIO servers on the Managed system)

As far I know, it should be only System Firmware one should think of but I heard someone talking about VIO servers!

Please help me to understand.

Originally posted by: IgnacioDB

Hi Tux, the answer is it depends what you want of firmware update, for example:

• If you are updating your firmware to implement a feature like Live Partition Mobility or NPIV, the answer is YES, you need to update all components to the required level.

• If you are updating your firmware to stay updated you only need to consider the level of HMC.

In both cases my best friend is the Fix Level Recommendation Tool (FLRT):

http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/flrt/home

In this page you can validate all your software or firmware levels and compatibility, and recommended levels.

I hope this information is useful and helps to resolve your question.

Regards

Ignacio

Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

Thanks Ignacio for your reply.

In my case I' want to a) meet the compliance of the customer to have updated firmware (N-1). b) to keep up with the IBM's ever releasing Firmwares for Systems & devices. More importantly, it is a next release update from V7R7.3.0 to V7R7.4.0 Since we already have dual VIOs on the frame I thought of only looking the compatibility matrix between Managed systems and HMC. hope this make sense.

I'm also using FLRT and found that including the VIO to get recommendation only lend me to upgrade my VIO from 2.2.1.3 to 2.2.1.4.

I'm yet to find a compatibility matrix with VIO, as one is provided for System firmware and HMC at:

http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/firmware/supportedCombinations

Thats another reason for me believe that system firmware & HMC are good to compare when you have already introduced VIO and not looking any specific functionality.

Thanks you,