Migrating AIX to a new version or release

Using this procedure, you can migrate a server from an earlier version or release of AIX® to AIX 5.3.

Before you migrate AIX, review the information in Saving your existing partition profiles from a Hardware Management Console. In this procedure, you perform a migration installation from an earlier version or release of AIX to AIX 5.3 using the following options:

If you are overwriting an existing server, get the TCP/IP information before you begin this procedure.

Attention: This procedure requires shutting down and reinstalling the base operating system. Whenever you reinstall any operating system, schedule your downtime when it least impacts your workload to protect yourself from a possible loss of data or functionality. Before you perform a migration installation, ensure that you have reliable backups of your data and any customized applications or volume groups. For instructions on how to create a system backup, see Creating system backups.

Use the following steps to use the server's built-in CD-ROM device to perform a migration installation of the base operating system.

Step 1. Boot from the AIX product CD or DVD

Before you begin: Ensure that you run the pre_migration command and that you are logged in as the root user. For more information about running the pre_migration command, see Running the AIX pre_migration command.
  1. If they are not already on, turn on your attached devices.
  2. Insert the AIX Volume 1 CD or DVD into the CD-ROM device.
  3. Verify that the boot list is set to boot from the CD-ROM device, by typing the following command: 
    # bootlist –m normal –o
  4. Add the CD-ROM device to the boot list, if the CD-ROM device is not in the boot list. For example, to add the cd0 device to the boot list to include both the CD-ROM device and the hard disk in the boot list, type the following command:
    # bootlist –m normal –o cd0 hdisk0
  5. Restart the server by typing the following command: 
    # shutdown -r
  6. When the server beeps twice, press F5 on the keyboard (or 5 on a nongraphical terminal). If you have a graphics display, the keyboard icon is displayed when the beeps occur. If you have a nongraphical terminal (also called a tty terminal), the word keyboard is displayed when the beeps occur.
    Note: If your server does not boot using the F5 key (or the 5 key on a nongraphical terminal), see your hardware documentation for information about how to start your server from an AIX product CD.
  7. Select the server console by pressing F1 (or 1 on a nongraphical terminal), and then press Enter.
  8. Select the English language for the BOS Installation menus by typing a 1 at the Choice field, and then press Enter. The Welcome to Base Operating System Installation and Maintenance menu opens.
  9. Type 2 to select 2 Change/Show Installation Settings and Install in the Choice field, and then press Enter.

Step 2. Verify migration installation settings and begin installation

  1. Verify that migration is the method of installation. If migration is not already selected as the method of installation, select it now. Select the disk or disks that you want to install.
  2. Select Primary Language Environment Settings (AFTER Install).
  3. Type 3, and then press Enter to select More Options. To use the Help menu to learn more about the options available during a migration installation, type 88, and then press Enter in the Installation Options menu. For more information about the installation options available in AIX 5.3, see BOS installation options.
  4. Verify the selections in the Migration Installation Summary panel, and then press Enter.
  5. When the Migration Confirmation menu appears, follow the menu instructions to list the server information, or continue with the migration by typing 0 and then pressing Enter.

Step 3. Verify server configuration after installation

After the migration is complete, the server restarts. Verify the server configuration, as follows:

  1. On servers with a graphics display, after a migration installation, the Configuration Assistant opens. On servers with a nongraphical display, after a migration installation, the Installation Assistant opens.

    For more information about the Configuration Assistant or the Installation Assistant, see Configuring AIX.

  2. Select the Accept Licenses option to accept the electronic licenses for the operating system.
  3. Verify the administrator (root user) password and network communications (TCP/IP) information.

    Use any other options at this time. You can return to the Configuration Assistant by typing configassist or the Installation Assistant or by typing smitty assist at the command line.

  4. Select Exit the Configuration Assistant and select Next. Or, press F10 (or ESC+0) to exit the Installation Assistant.
  5. If you are in the Configuration Assistant, select Finish now, and do not start Configuration Assistant when restarting AIX and select Finish.
  6. When the login prompt is displayed, log in as the root user to perform system administration tasks.
  7. Run the post_migration command, which is located in the /user/lpp/bos directory on your server.
  8. Verify the output files, which are saved in the /home/post_migration.date directory.