Maintain and migrate IBM MQ

Maintain and migrate IBM MQ

Maintenance, upgrade, and migration have three distinct meanings for IBM MQ . The definitions are described here. The following sections describe the various concepts associated with migration, followed by the various tasks needed; these tasks are platform-specific where needed.

About this task
Attention: The information in this section applies to both Continuous Delivery (CD) and Long Term Support (LTS) releases.
Any information that applies specifically to an LTS or CD release is marked with the appropriate icon.
IBM MQ uses the terms maintenance, upgrade and migration as follows:

Maintenance is the application of a fix pack, interim fix or Program Temporary Fix (PTF).

Maintenance has one main characteristic. Those fixes, whether they are applied using a maintenance installation tool, or installed using a manufacturing refresh on top of an installation, are at the same command level as the existing code. No migration is required after applying maintenance. The installation can be restored to its previous level and any changed queue managers or applications will continue to work at the restored code level. However, you should test applications with the new level of IBM MQ code.

For more information, see Apply maintenance to IBM MQ.

Upgrading is the process of taking an existing IBM MQ installation and upgrading to a new level of code.

Unless you are upgrading the fix level of IBM MQ, but not its command level, an upgrade must be followed by migration. Upgrades can be backed out, as long as no migration has taken place. The process of removing an upgrade varies by platform and how the upgrade was applied. Upgrades that change the command level of IBM MQ require queue manager migration before applications can reconnect.

For more information, see Apply upgrades and fixes to IBM MQ.

Migration is the process of updating queue manager data to match a newer level of code.

Migration occurs the first time a queue manager is started with the newer level of code, and always follows an upgrade that changes the queue manager command level, both automatic and manual changes. Migration is the transformation of queue manager data, applications, and the environment that the queue manager runs in. Once migration has occurred, the queue manager can no longer be started by an earlier code level. On most platforms, queue manager migration is not reversible:

Migration cannot be reversed on IBM MQ for Multiplatforms. This restriction applies whether your enterprise uses the Long Term Support (LTS) release or Continuous Delivery (CD) release model.
From IBM MQ for z/OS® Version 9.0, we can backwards migrate queue managers only if you are using the LTS release. For more information, see IBM MQ release types.

For more information, see Migrating IBM MQ.

Where to find more information about maintaining and migrating
Where to look for more information, for example if you are getting started with migrating and maintaining IBM MQ.
The version naming scheme for IBM MQ for Multiplatforms
From IBM MQ Version 9.0, releases have a three digit Version, Release, and Modification (VRM) code or a four-digit Version, Release, Modification, and Fix (VRMF) level code.
The version naming scheme for IBM MQ for z/OS
On IBM MQ for z/OS, releases have a three digit Version, Release, and Modification (VRM) code. To run a queue manager at a different VRM level, you must migrate the queue manager, its applications, and the environment in which it runs. Depending on the migration path, the migration might require more or less effort.
Apply maintenance to IBM MQ
Maintenance is the application of a reversible fix. Any changes to queue manager data are compatible with the previous code level.
Apply upgrades and fixes to IBM MQ
The term upgrade applies to changing the version V, release R, or modification M of a product. The term fix applies to a change in the F digit.
Migrating IBM MQ
Migration is the conversion of programs and data to work with a new code level of IBM MQ. Some types of migration are required, and some are optional. Queue manager migration is never required after applying a maintenance level update, that does not change the command level. Some types of migration are automatic, and some are manual. Queue manager migration is typically automatic and required after releases and manual and optional after a maintenance level upgrade that introduces a new function. Application migration is typically manual and optional.

Related information

IBM MQ for z/OS Program directory PDF files