If you plan to skip a release, such as performing an upgrade from V5R2 to V5R4 and skipping V5R3, you need to be aware of changes from the skipped version and release that could affect your programs and system operations.
If you are skipping a release level of i5/OS™, you should review the Memo to Users for the release that you are skipping. This will ensure that you are aware of software changes that occurred in the skipped release that could also affect your programs and system operations.
More object conversions occur if you are skipping a release. Consider both the conversions in the release that you are skipping and the new release.Times for conversions contains more information on the V5R4 impacts to your server.