Upgrading IBM i and related software

Complete these steps to upgrade your IBM® i operating system and related software.

If you are upgrading to an IBM Power Systems™ model based on the POWER6™ processor, you must install the correct level of software and firmware on the source server. To determine the correct level of software and firmware you need, see IBM Prerequisite.

In addition to upgrading to IBM i version 6 release 1, you might also need to install related licensed programs on the source server. To view a list of licensed programs that are compatible with the V6R1 release, see Licensed program releases and sizes.

Note: If you are upgrading from a 9406-MMA model to a 9117-MMA, IBM i software keys do not need to be reentered.

To perform an initial program load (IPL) from Storage Area Network (SAN), you must have installed the latest IBM i version 5 release 3 modification 5 or V5R4 Licensed Internal Code (or later), which requires the 17 GB minimum load-source requirement. For more information about the load source requirement and to complete your upgrade of IBM i and related software applications, see Upgrading or replacing i5/OS® or related software.

To finish completing the software upgrade, perform the following tasks:

  1. To verify that all applications are running properly, use the server with the new software release operating with the new production environment. Use the server for a minimum of two weeks in production on your existing configuration before the hardware upgrade is performed.
  2. Complete the tasks located at Managing job logs and Messages. Use this information to help you identify and fix any problems that might occur with the newly installed software.