Preparing to upgrade the server

 

To prepare for an iSeries™ server upgrade, perform these procedures. Before you begin these tasks, be sure you have completed the necessary upgrade planning.

 

Parent topic:

Upgrading the server

Related concepts
Upgrade planning

Related tasks
Upgrading the server Upgrading to i5/OS Version 5 Release 4 Removing failed or nonreporting resources Printing disk configuration status Printing parity set configuration and status Displaying, verifying, and printing hardware resource information Completing the server upgrade Preparing the server for production
Related information
Preventive service planning (PSP) information Memo to Users Migration Web site Performance Management for IBM System i Support for IBM System i Installing fixes Backup and Recovery Guide Console Collecting performance data Save the entire server using GO SAVE option 21 Storage Solutions Printing the system configuration list IPL type Operating mode of an IPL Local controllers and devices (QAUTOCFG) Type of restart (QIPLTYPE) Automatically adjust memory pools and activity levels (QPFRADJ) i5/OS system values

 

Preparing for the upgrade

  1. Obtain and review the preventive service planning (PSP) information.

    The PSP document for V5R4 upgrades is SF98168. Review this document for the most current information about conditions that can affect your upgrade.

  2. Review the Memo to Users.

    This document provides information about software and hardware changes that can potentially affect your system operations.

  3. View the Migration Web site.

    This Web site includes information about the current migration and upgrade paths, a link to relevant Redbooks™, and information about converting from SPD to PCI-attached I/O.

  4. Review the Performance Capabilities Reference available on the Performance Management Web site.

    This reference provides information about server performance that is useful for customers who plan to upgrade their servers and software.

  5. When your order arrives, contact the service representative and schedule the server upgrade.

 

Preparing the source server

Ensure that you have installed latest resave and cumulative fix (PTF) package of i5/OS® V5R4 on the source server.

For more information, see Info APAR II13365 on the Support for IBM System i™ Web site. For information about installing i5/OS, see Upgrading to i5/OS Version 5 Release 4.

  1. Install fixes

    Use the information in this topic to put fixes on the source server before upgrading to the target server.

  2. Verify that all applications are running.

  3. Perform device configuration cleanup as follows:

    1. Use the Work with Line Descriptions command (WRKLIND) to view and delete unused lines and line descriptions.

    2. Use the Work with Device Descriptions command (WRKDEVD) to delete unused device descriptions.

    You can use these commands to view and verify that all of the descriptions listed are in use. If you are sure one is not in use, delete it. If you are not sure, you should leave it.

  4. Remove failed or nonreporting resources that are no longer associated with existing hardware.

  5. Logically remove any configured disk units that will be removed during the upgrade, such as disk units in SPD-based expansion units that will be removed (not converted) during the server upgrade. For information, see "How to Remove a Disk Unit from an Auxiliary Storage Pool" in Chapter 19. "Working with Auxiliary Storage Pools" of the Backup and Recovery Guide.

    Disk units that are not physically removed may be inadvertently added back into the configuration during an IPL.

  6. Ensure that your console is set up and ready.

  7. Use the Retrieve Configuration Source (RTVCFGSRC) command to build a source file member for the specified existing line, controller, and device descriptions. You will need this configuration source if any configuration objects must be manually changed or re-created.

  8. Collect performance data.

    You can use the performance data you collect from the source server as a base with which to compare the target server's performance after the upgrade is complete.

  9. Save the entire server using GO SAVE option 21 on a tape drive that is compatible with the tape drive on the target server.

    This is vital for recovery should you experience errors when upgrading the server.

    To determine if your tape drives are compatible, see the Storage Solutions Web site.

 

Documenting the source server

To ensure that the source server is fully documented before the upgrade, perform these tasks:

  1. Use one of the following to document the source server:

    • If your country or region supports the Work with Order Information Files (WRKORDINF) command and if the installed server is capable of using Electronic Customer Support, do the following:

      1. On the command line, enter WRKORDINF.

      2. On the next display, type option 1 (Send to IBM) next to QMA nnnnn where nnnnn is the serial number of the server and press Enter.

    • If you cannot use the Work with Order Information Files (WRKORDINF) command, do the following:

      1. On the command line, enter DSPSFWRSC *PRINT.

      2. Print the spooled file.

  2. Print the disk configuration status of the server.

  3. Print the parity set configuration and status of the server. You can use this information to analyze and plan for disk unit configuration and protection. It can also be used to correct any problems that occur during the upgrade.

  4. Display, verify, and print the hardware resource information. Use the information in this topic to record the hardware resource information so that you can perform the necessary resource management after the upgrade is complete.

  5. Print the system configuration list. This printout provides details of your current server configuration.

  6. Print the status of all fixes (program temporary fixes or PTFs) on the source server by entering the following command: 
    DSPPTF LICPGM(*ALL) OUTPUT(*PRINT)

    You can use this information to verify that you have the most current fixes on the source server.

  7. Record the IPL type and mode of the source server so you can return the server to this mode after the upgrade is complete.

    • IPL type = _________

    • IPL mode = _________

 

Preparing for the service representative

  1. Record the user IDs and passwords for the service representative to use.

  2. Gather the following printouts for the service representative:

    • System configuration list printouts

    • Disk configuration status printouts

    • Parity set configuration and status printout

    • Device descriptions printout

    • Controller descriptions printout

    • PTF level printout

    • Description label locations printout
  3. Record the setting for each of the following system values:

    • Local controllers and devices (QAUTOCFG) = ___

    • Type of restart (QIPLTYPE) = ___

    • Automatically adjust memory pools and activity levels (QPFRADJ) = ___

    Then change the values of these settings to the following:

    • Local controllers and devices (QAUTOCFG) = Do not automatically configure local controllers and devices (0)

    • Type of restart (QIPLTYPE) = Attended, console in debug mode (2)

    • Automatically adjust memory pools and activity levels (QPFRADJ) = Periodically after restart (2)

    For information about working with i5/OS system values, see System values.

  4. Turn the server over to the service representative. This includes giving the service representative the printouts, the user IDs, and passwords that you have prepared.

Now that you have finished preparing for the server upgrade, the next step is for the service representative to complete the server upgrade.