[fvogel]

Hello All,

We want to upgrade our 44p Model 270 from AIX 5.2 to 5.3. This is a standalone devlopment server but downtime is something we don't want because we have a short development deadline looming. I have no tape drive to make backups to. I myself am a developer and don't have any particular AIX experience, although I do have a fair amount of current experience with HPUX and Solaris.

My questions are:

• Is this just an update or a full blown OS instal?
• Will my existing apps like clarify and oracle 9 still be on the machine or will I have to reinstal them?
• I have read threads saying to make 2 system backups to tape. I do not have a tape drive but might have a cdr on the machine, can i back it up to that?
• Is this easy enough and does the software provide enough guidance that a person of my skill level could expect to accomplish this successfully
• About how long should i expect and effort like this to take assuming there are no serious problems?

Thanks

[duke900ssd]

Full blown OS install.
They will (should be, depends on your system's configuration) still be there but you must check if they will work with the new OS.
Yes you can make a bootable cd backup.
The upgrade is fairly easy, the backup to CD will probably give you more trouble.
If all goes smoothly and you have everything in place before you start you shoud be done in an hour or two.

After checking with the application vendors if your applications are supported on AIX 5.3, mount the first AIX 5.3 CD and run the pre-migration script.

Then spend a day or two downloading the CDR software and testing the cd writing and backing up to cd method, checking your CD is bootable, etc. you'll need if it all goes wrong.

If you can split a mirrored rootvg or have spare disks to play with then alt_disk_install may be a quicker way to do the upgrade and backout if you need to but you will still need a backup in case it all goes wrong, in fact you should have two backups that you have tried and tested to be on the safe side.

[fvogel]

duke900ssd,

Thank you very much for your response. The information you provided is actually very helpful to me.

I have 2 other short questions perhaps you or someone else could add to:

First, will the c/c++ compiler/linker come with the new OS install or is that something serpearate?

Second, is this the kind of thing we would be better off having a consultant do for us?

Thanks,
Fred

[duke900ssd]

Hi fvogel,

1. c and c++ compilers are not included in AIX, so if you need a later level you will need to buy a later licence and install / upgrade this as well, unless you are using a free / GNU licence in which case you will still need to download and install it. So check your compiler version and then check if it is supported by the new OS, the decide if your environment can exist / work with the new compiler level, then decide on the required action.

2. Only you can decide this. Any AIX system administrator should be able to upgrade AIX but the associated work of checking and if required upgrading the applications / third party devices like SAN may be beyond the scope of an AIX admin.

HTH

[fvogel]

duke900ssd,

Once again thank you for your advice and knowledge. Once I finish my research into what will run on what and attempt to make the backups to CD I will try to do the upgrade and let you know how it goes.

Thank You,
Fred

[duke900ssd]

Good luck fvogel,
Please post any further related questions here and we would like to hear how you get on with the upgrade and any problems you have / overcome for future reference.