Find out what you should do to minimize your downtime and make your data migration as easy as possible.
The time you spend planning for your data migration can help minimize your
downtime and make performing the migration easier. You can view planning tasks
or create a customized planning checklist using the information available
in the Planning topic of the 
Information Center. To use this information, you need to know specific
information about your order, such as model release, features, and any additional
solutions you have ordered. Return to this topic when you have completed the
planning tasks in the checklist for your environment. Before you can migrate
your data, you must do the following:
Plan for the hardware, which includes the following:
- Ordering the target server with feature code 0205.
This feature code ensures that the target server is set up for the data migration and entitles you to run the new operating system on both the source and target servers for a maximum of 70 days so that you can complete the data migration. You must reinstall the previous operating system on the source server after the data migration is complete.
- Identifying disk storage requirements.
You must ensure that you have enough disk storage capacity for the new operating system and for the data from the source server, as well as for any new data and software planned for the target server.
- Identifying any tape incompatibilities.
You must ensure that you have a tape drive that is compatible with the target server. To determine if your tape drive is compatible, see the Storage Solutions Web site or the iSeries™ Handbook. To learn more about tape devices, see the Tape topic.
- Ensuring that you have a physical plan for the target server.
The target server is going to be set up and running beside the source server for a period of time. There are physical planning and setup implications that pertain to the target server.
Plan for the software, which includes the following:
- Evaluating disk storage space requirements.
You must ensure that you will have adequate disk storage before you start to install or replace software.
- Identifying possible upgrade paths for licensed programs.
When you install the new release of i5/OS™, some licensed programs may no longer work. You should identify licensed programs that are no longer available at this release and their replacements where applicable. Additionally, to avoid losing data that depends on these licensed programs, migrate the data from your server to an accessible location before installing the new release of i5/OS.
Plan for your connection, which includes the following:
- Choosing a console.
If you are using a twinaxial console on the source server and using Operations Console on the target server, ensure that you have a twinaxial controller for any twinaxial devices you plan to run from the target server.
When you have completed these tasks, you should have a final data migration plan that includes the following:
| When you are finished |
|---|
 Record a final hardware and software plan that includes feature code 0205 and addresses disk storage capacity and compatible tape drives. This plan might cause you to change your software or hardware order. |
Record a physical plan for the target server. |
iSeries Planning and Migration Services can help you in planning and migrating your data to the latest iSeries models. For information, select Migration on the Integrated Applications Services Web site.
The next step is to perform the migration.