Use this information to learn the flow and timing for upgrading a nonpartitioned server.
The upgrade process includes planning, ordering, preparing for, and performing the upgrade. Your upgrade process is unique, and although you will perform each of these major tasks, how you perform them, in what order you perform them, and what they involve depends on your current environment and the environment that you want to achieve. Each of these major tasks is described here in more detail.
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Plan your upgrade The first task in every upgrade process is planning for your upgrade and ordering what you need. Planning is very important, and the time you invest in planning will make your upgrade as easy as it can be. Completing this task may require up to six weeks, depending on the complexity of your environment. For more information, see the Plan the upgrade topic. |
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Replace hardware features You may need to replace or eliminate hardware features that will not work in your target environment. You may need to replace or eliminate hardware features before you install i5/OS™ V5R4, before you upgrade to the new model, or both. For example, your SPD-attached hardware will not work on Models 810, 825, 870, or 890. This hardware must be replaced and new hardware features added as necessary before you upgrade the server. Replacing hardware features can typically be accomplished in a weekend. For more information, see the Add or replace a hardware feature topic. |
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Activate all standby processors If you are upgrading from a server that is enabled for Capacity on Demand and you have standby processors that have not been activated, you must activate all of these processors before upgrading your software or server. Activating standby processors can be accomplished in minutes provided that you have the required POD activation code. For more information, see the Activate all standby processors topic. |
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Install the new version of i5/OS Another task in the upgrade process is installing the new version of the i5/OS operating system. You must install the latest resave and cumulative fix (PTF) package of i5/OS V5R4 on your server if you are upgrading to a new model. Installing i5/OS on a server that is not preloaded requires at least one hour. For information about the latest resave and cumulative fix (PTF) package, see Informational APAR II13365 on the iSeries™ and AS/400® Technical Support Web site. For more information, see the Upgrade to i5/OS Version 5 Release 3 topic. |
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Convert expansion units Some expansion units that will not work with the Model 810, 825, 870, or 890 can be converted to work with the new models. However, if you are upgrading a partitioned server, detailed planning before performing the expansion unit conversion is essential. Although this expansion unit conversion can usually be accomplished in a weekend, converting more than one expansion unit can increase the complexity of the conversion and therefore the time needed to complete this task. For more information, see the Convert expansion units for a partitioned server topic. |
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Complete the server upgrade The final task in the upgrade process is to upgrade the server. The actual upgrade is performed by a service representative, but preparing for the upgrade and returning the server to production are your responsibility. Upgrading from one server to another server requires up to three days. For more information, see the Upgrade the server topic. |
Your unique upgrade may include some or all of the stages of a complete upgrade process. To accurately determine which upgrade activities you need to perform, be sure to use the information in the upgrade planning topic. Once your planning is complete, you can use the interview in the Upgrades topic to build an upgrade task list customized to your unique environment. The interview is only available in the online version of the Information Center.