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3/13/24, 9:52 AM AIX 7.3 Migration
Overview
To upgrade an existing instance of AIX 7.1 or AIX 7.2 to AIX 7.3, it is required to perform an operating system migration.
Planning to migrate an AIX systemrequires careful planning. In this article we discuss different scenarios and available
methods for migrating AIX operating system from 7.1 or 7.2 release to 7.3 release. The topics include AIX migration from
media and AIX migration of the Network Installation Manager (NIM) master and the clients. The information in this article
is using specific versions of AIX. The results you obtain might vary depending on your version and level of AIX.
What is migration
An operating system migration maintains the existing rootvg and all logical volumes and file systems. Software
configuration is maintained, and system software will be migrated if the newer levels exist in the software source. When no
newer levels exist, the software is still maintained on the system as it was before the migration. Every migration will require
additional space, so be sure your rootvg has some free partitions. The boot logical volume, hd5, is required to be 40MB in
7.3, It will be expanded to this size if necessary. For more software specific information on migration, please refer to the
AIX 7.3 Release Notes.
An operating system migration is not the same as an update operation. The update operation is performed through
install_all_updates or smitty update_all commands. The update operations are only valid when moving between
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maintenance or fix levels. Only the M or F fields will change, in VRMF, when an update operation is allowed. In this
situation, you cannot perform an operating system migration. For example:
Moving from 7.2 TL 4 SP 1 to 7.3 - Do an operating system migration.
Moving from 7.2 TL4 SP 1 to 7.2 TL5 SP3 - Do an update operation.
In this document, we only cover migration operations. For update operations, please refer to install_all_updates.
Premigration script
It is recommended you run the pre_migration script before starting the operating system migration. It will give you a quick
idea of what will be happening during the migration, and if there are any conditions that should be fixed. The script can be
found in usr/lpp/bos, in your mounted ISO image or your NIM 7.3 spot. For example:
/export/spot/730_spot/usr/lpp/bos/pre_migration
The pre_migration script will inform you if increasing the boot logical volume will be an issue. It will tell you if your system
supports AIX 7.3. It will save information about configuration files, software installed, and any lppchk errors. Please copy
the pre_migration script from your mounted ISO image or your NIM 7.3 spot. It can be found in usr/lpp/bos in either
source.
For example:
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# ./pre_migration
before migrating.
Before starting a traditional migration, it is strongly recommended that you create a system backup.
Before migrating a NIM master, you should back up the NIM database.
Review AIX 7.3 release notes
Running AIX 7.3 pre_migration script and reviewing the output to verify that the system is ready for migration.
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Checking that there is sufficient disk space for the file systems in rootvg plus free PPs for file system expansion if
required.
Documenting the system configuration (hardware, AIX, etc.).
Determine what other software you need to upgrade.
Installation IBM product media (ISO images) NIM resources for AIX 7.3 NIM resources for AIX 7.3
Source
The traditional migration is done by the Base Operating System (BOS) installation program. The BOS installation process
will be started after the system is booted from AIX product media (USB, physical DVD or virtual DVD) or from network
adapter (Network install via NIM). This migration method requires the most downtime. The downtime of the system varies
depending on the size of the existing rootvg, other installed software and characteristics of the system. Typically, this
migration method takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
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This migration method upgrades the existing rootvg and requires the most downtime. It is highly recommended that
you create a backup of the system before migrating.
Prerequisites:
If you do not have an AIX 7.3 physical media, this installation method requires that you download the AIX 7.3
ISO images from the IBM Entitled Software Support (ESS) website.
If you use a physical media for installation, you will need to burn the ISO images, load the installation media to
the attached devices (DVD-ROM drives)
If you use a USB device for installation, you will need to use the dd command to write the ISO image to the USB
device. Download the AIX image from the IBM Entitled Software Support (ESS) website, and use the dd
command similar to the following:
If you use VIOS Virtual Media Library tools, you will need to copy the ISO images to the media library on the
VIOS, then load the image into the virtual DVD that is attached to the target LPAR.
This migration method provides both prompted and non-prompted network install of NIM clients. The non-prompted
network install removes the requirement of running virtual terminal on the HMC console. This migration method
upgrades the existing rootvg and requires the most downtime. It is highly recommended that you create a backup of
the system before migrating.
Prerequisites:
The NIM master is at AIX 7.3 level
The AIX 7.3 resources (spot, lpp_source) have been created
NIM client (standalone resource) has been defined for each target LPAR
If you plan to take advantage of non-prompted network install, define a customized bosinst_data resource with
the following settings:
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INSTALL_METHOD = migrate
PROMPT = no
EXISTING_SYSTEM_OVERWRITE = yes
ACCEPT_LICENSES = yes
Advantages:
You can simultaneously migrate multiple NIM clients.
The nimadm utility offers several advantages for migrating to a later level of AIX, over a traditional migration. For example,
you can use nimadm to create a copy of a NIM client’s rootvg to a spare disk on the client and simultaneously migrate the
disk to AIX 7.3. Since all changes are performed on the copy of the rootvg, the entire migration process can be done
without disruption to the client. After the migration is finished, the only downtime will be a scheduled reboot of the
system. The additional information for using NIMADM can be found later in this document.
Prerequisites:
The NIM master must have alt_disk_install.rte fileset installed and in the SPOT which will be used for the migration.
The NIM master should be at the same or higher AIX level than the level of the lpp_source and SPOT resources that
have been selected for migration.
The NIM client must have spare disk (or disks) large enough to clone the existing rootvg, plus additional free space for
file system expansion if required. This amount will depend on the client system configuration.
Advantages:
The migration is executed while the NIM client is up and running as normal.
There is no disruption to any of the applications and services.
Reduce downtime to just a few minutes for system restart.
If the migration fails, the original rootvg is still available and the system has not been impacted.
The nimadm utility is very flexible and can be customized to use NIM customization resources such as image_data,
bosinst_data, pre and post migration scripts, and so on.
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Migrating by Media
To perform migration from AIX product media, follow the “Migrating your system from media” documentation.
Migrating by media with VIOS Virtual Media Library
If you use VIOS Virtual Media Library, follow the details in this IBM support document How to configure a VIOS Media
Repository/Virtual Media Library
If you want to use a USB device for migration, follow the steps below.
Create a bootable USB
1. If you have not configured the USB device on the AIX system, you need to plug the USB device to the CEC, run the
cfgmgr command to configure, and check to see if the USB device is visible:
#ls /dev/usbms*
2. Download AIX product image from IBM ESS website. The image to be written to the USB device will have "Flash" in its
image name. The following is an example of the image that can be written to the USB device:
AIX_v7.3_Install_7300-00-01-2148_flash_122021_LCD8265300.iso
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1. Open a virtual terminal, restart the target LPAR. As soon as the system comes up, press 1 to select SMS menu:
IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM
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PowerPC Firmware
Version FW860.20 (SV860_064)
SMS (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2016 All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Main Menu
1. Select Language
2. Setup Remote IPL (Initial Program Load)
3. I/O Device Information
4. Select Console
5. Select Boot Options
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Navigation Keys:
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PowerPC Firmware
Version FW860.20 (SV860_064)
SMS (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2016 All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Multiboot
1. Select Install/Boot Device
2. Configure Boot Device Order
3. Multiboot Startup <OFF>
4. SAN Zoning Support
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Navigation keys:
M = return to Main Menu
ESC key = return to previous screen X = eXit System Management
Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Type menu item number and press Enter or select Navigation key:1
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PowerPC Firmware
Version FW860.20 (SV860_064)
SMS (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2016 All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Select Device Type
1. Tape
2. CD/DVD
3. Hard Drive
4. Network
5. List all Devices
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Navigation keys:
M = return to Main Menu
ESC key = return to previous screen X = eXit System Management
Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Type menu item number and press Enter or select Navigation key:5
5. Review the device list. In this case, press 4 to select "USB Disk"
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PowerPC Firmware
Version FW860.20 (SV860_064)
SMS (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2016 All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Select Device
Device Current Device
Number Position Name
1. - Interpartition Logical LAN
( loc=U8247.22L.211E16A-V9-C2-T1 )
2. - SCSI 58 GB Harddisk, part=2 (AIX 6.1.0)
( loc=U8247.22L.211E16A-V9-C109-T1-L8100000000000000 )
3. 1 SCSI 49 GB Harddisk, part=2 (AIX 6.1.0)
( loc=U8247.22L.211E16A-V9-C109-T1-L8200000000000000 )
4. - USB Disk
( loc=U78CB.001.WZS02CA-P1-T5-L1-L0-L0 )
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Navigation keys:
M = return to Main Menu
ESC key = return to previous screen X = eXit System Management
Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Type menu item number and press Enter or select Navigation key:4
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PowerPC Firmware
Version FW860.20 (SV860_064)
SMS (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2016 All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Select Task
USB Disk
( loc=U78CB.001.WZS02CA-P1-T5-L1-L0-L0 )
1. Information
2. Normal Mode Boot
3. Service Mode Boot
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Navigation keys:
M = return to Main Menu
ESC key = return to previous screen X = eXit System Management
Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Type menu item number and press Enter or select Navigation key:2
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PowerPC Firmware
Version FW860.20 (SV860_064)
SMS (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000,2016 All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Are you sure you want to exit System Management Services?
1. Yes
2. No
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Navigation Keys:
8. After the system has restarted and booted from the USB device, press 1 to continue with AIX BOS installation
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IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM
IBM
IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM
IBM
IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM
IBM
IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM IBM
IBM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Welcome to AIX.
boot image timestamp: 13:55:11 10/05/2021
The current time and date: 19:10:47 02/16/2022
processor count: 1; memory size: 8192MB; kernel size: 57983554
boot device: /pci@80000002000001b/usb@0/hub@1/usb-
scsi@4/disk@0,0:\ppc\chrp\bootfile.exe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
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Escriviu 1 1 i premeu Intro per utilitzar aquest
terminal com a consola del sistema.
Digite um 1 e pressione Enter para utilizar este terminal
como console do sistema.
See Migrating by Media section above. If you use the VIOS Virtual Media Library (VML):
Chris Gibson, an IBM Power Systems and AIX consultant, has written a detailed article, “Migrating your NIM Master to AIX
7.2 using the VIOS VML”. All the steps in the article are applicable for AIX
Migrating a NIM master with a temporary or new AIX 7.3 NIM master
If you cannot use media to migrate the current NIM master, check if you have another system to install 7.3 using media or
VML. Then you can use that system to make a temporary 7.3 NIM master for migrating your current NIM master.
Here are the high-level steps:
1. Install and prepare a new NIM master
2. Define your current NIM master as a client of the new NIM master
3. Back up NIM database on the current NIM master and make it a NIM client of the new NIM master
4. On the new NIM master, perform migration of the old NIM master
5. Redefine the migrated system as a NIM master
6. Create 7.3 NIM resources
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Once you have installed AIX 7.3 on a system, do the following steps to set up a new NIM master and migrate your current
NIM master:
This will set up your system as a NIM master and create 7.3 resources from your 7.3 software source.
2. Define your current NIM master as a client of the new NIM master
On your new NIM master, run “smitty nim_mkmac” to define your current 7.2 NIM master as a standalone client on your
new NIM master.
3. Back up the NIM database on the current NIM master and make it a NIM client of the new NIM master
On your 7.2 NIM master:
- Backup the database, for example:
#/usr/lpp/bos.sysmgt/nim/methods/m_backup_db /home/backup.<date>
#smitty niminit
# /usr/lpp/bos.sysmgt/nim/methods/m_restore_db/home/backup.<date>
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# lspv
hdisk0 00f87c4f9b81e870 rootvg active
hdisk1 00f87c4fed1a7f12 nimvg1 active
hdisk2 00f87c4fed1b3a8b nimvg2 active
# lsvg -l nimvg1
nimvg1:
LV NAME TYPE LPs PPs PVs LV STATE MOUNT POINT
loglv00 jfs2log 1 1 1 open/syncd N/A
fslv00 jfs2 50 50 1 open/syncd /cdimages
fslv01 jfs2 288 288 1 open/syncd /nim1
fslv02 jfs2 207 207 1 open/syncd /nim2
- Be sure the mount points exist and if not, create them, and then mount the file systems.
- The lsnim command should reflect all your existing resources.
6. Create 7.3 NIM resources
On the migrated NIM master, you now can create 7.3 NIM resources
Before migrating a NIM client to AIX 7.3, you need to have AIX 7.3 level lpp_source and spot NIM resources on your AIX
7.3 NIM master. If you used nim_master_setup script to configure your AIX 7.3 NIM master, the NIM resources were
already created by the script.
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The following examples will define the required NIM resources from AIX 7.3 media (/dev/cd0):
To define lpp_source:
To define spot:
For non-prompt migration install, you will need to define a customized bosinst_data resource. The following example
shows how to define a bosinst_data from the template bosinst.data in the AIX 7.3 spot resource:
# cp /export/nim/spot/spot_7300/usr/lpp/bosinst/bosinst.template /export/nim/bosinst_data/bosinst_migrate_noprompt
# vi /export/nim/bosinst_data/bosinst_migrate_noprompt
Set the followings in the control_flow stanza and define a new bosinst_data resource:
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INSTALL_METHOD = migrate
PROMPT = no
EXISTING_SYSTEM_OVERWRITE = yes
ACCEPT_LICENSES = yes
Note: If you have copies of the rootvg on other disks, check which disk you want to migrate and specify the disk in the
target_disk_data stanza. See the following document for details.
The following example will start non-prompted migration on a NIM client (client1)
You can periodically check the status using the “lsnim -l” command:
# lsnim -l client1
Check Cstate and Mstate, you will notice the state changes. The migration is complete when:
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For prompted install, you will need to be on the NIM client’s console to select appropriate options in BOS Menus to
proceed with the migration installation. In most cases, you will use vtmenu command on a HMC console to open a virtual
terminal of the LPAR (the NIM client).
To start a migration install of a NIM client (client1) using the command line:
Then on the NIM client’s virtual terminal, after system reboot, after selecting the language to be used with BOS install
program, the “Welcome to Base Operating System Installation and Maintenance” menu is displayed. Type 2 to select 2
Change/Show Installation Settings and Install in the Choice field and press Enter.
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Verify that Migration is the method of installation. Verify the hard disk where you want to install. Type 1 to change the disk
or press Enter to continue.
Verify the selections in the Migration Installation Summary screen and press Enter.
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When the Migration Confirmation menu opens, follow the menu instructions to list system information or continue with the
migration by typing 0 and pressing Enter.
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When the migration install is completed, the system will be automatically restarted, and the Login prompt will be displayed
on the virtual terminal.
nimadm provides several options for migrating a NIM client’s rootvg. You will need to select the approach that will work
best for your scenarios. Please review the following documents:
nimadm command
How to use nimadm
Migrating to AIX 7.2 with NIMADM This article can be used to migrate to AIX 7.3
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Comments
helpful.
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