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Hi all; couple of newbie questions: I want to upgrade out pSeries
9113-550 server currently running 5.2.0. Maintenance Level 04 to the
latest Maintenance level (looks like -09). This is to hopefully correct
numerous JFS_META_CORRUPTION errors that are appearing in the error
log. Research in this forum and elsewhere seems to indicate that
upgrading to a later Maintenance level will solve this.

- I see ML 5200-04 through -07 listed on IBM Fix Central under the
'Maintenance Level' section. There is also 5200-08 and 5200-09 under
the 'Technology Level' section. Which should I use? What is the
difference between ML and TL?

- can I jump directly from our current -04 level to whichever level you
guys steer me towards, or should I incrementally upgrade, taking a
mksysb between each one?

- Lastly; should I download the 'Fix Bundles' as they are, or should I
choose the 'Packaging Options' approach, and build custom downloads for
my server based on the lslpp -Lc output?

Thanks all for the time and effort;

Joe D.

Joe D. wrote:
> Hi all; couple of newbie questions: I want to upgrade out pSeries
> 9113-550 server currently running 5.2.0. Maintenance Level 04 to the
> latest Maintenance level (looks like -09). This is to hopefully correct
> numerous JFS_META_CORRUPTION errors that are appearing in the error
> log. Research in this forum and elsewhere seems to indicate that
> upgrading to a later Maintenance level will solve this.
>
> - I see ML 5200-04 through -07 listed on IBM Fix Central under the
> 'Maintenance Level' section. There is also 5200-08 and 5200-09 under
> the 'Technology Level' section. Which should I use? What is the
> difference between ML and TL?

ML: Maintenance Level - provides fixes
TL: Technical Level - normaly provides new driver and software
enhancement

>
> - can I jump directly from our current -04 level to whichever level you
> guys steer me towards, or should I incrementally upgrade,

You can and should jump directly to the latest level

> ... taking a
> mksysb between each one?

Of cource a mksysb before any update is mandatory

>
> - Lastly; should I download the 'Fix Bundles' as they are, or should I
> choose the 'Packaging Options' approach, and build custom downloads for
> my server based on the lslpp -Lc output?

Normaly i download the latest ML , all TL's , copy them with gencopy
into a lppsource and run lppmgr on it. This way i have a clean ML
source with the latest sw enhancement and driver.


hth
Hajo

Hajo Ehlers wrote:
,
>
> You can and should jump directly to the latest level
>
> Of cource a mksysb before any update is mandatory
>
> Normaly i download the latest ML , all TL's , copy them with gencopy
> into a lppsource and run lppmgr on it. This way i have a clean ML
> source with the latest sw enhancement and driver.
>
> hth
> Hajo

This certainly does indeed help, Hajo; thanks. Now if I can just decode
that last part. Remeber, I'm a newbie to AIX. I can do man pages on
the commands you listed, to figure them out, but I'm still a little
uncertain as to what to get from IBM's Fix Central.

I notice, now that I'm actually proceeding with selecting a ML or TL
for downloading, that Fix Central takes me to the 'Customize download'
page, where it builds a package for me based on the lslpp -Lc output I
mentioned earlier. So it would appear that for AIX, EVERY download is
a custom download?

So, having noticed that, and taking your suggestion above, would my
plan of action now be to download the latest ML (5200-07), and all the
TLs (5200-08 and 5200-09), and run the lot through the commands you
list above? Will that get me to the 5200-09 level, even though the ML
I downloaded and installed is termed 5200-08? Add what of the SPs?
Include or ignore?

ALso, when I select a ML or SP to download, there is a notice listed
from Fix Central indicating "This package contains one or more fixes
that are known to cause regression. The regression may affect your
system. Emergency fixes may be available for these known problems from
the Interim fix management page. Reference APAR number(s) " and then
goes on to list the APAR numbers. Is this to say that in ADDITION to
the ML, and TCs, I now have to download and apply these APAR fixes as
well?

Again; thanks for taking the time to explain to a newbie. I don't mind
looking for the answers myself, and typicall try to have SOME
background before I post a question, but IBM's sites, though
comprehensive, seem to assume a level of knowledge with their patching
mechanisms that I just don't have.

Joe D.

Joe D. wrote:
> Hajo Ehlers wrote:
> ,
> >
> > You can and should jump directly to the latest level
> >
> > Of cource a mksysb before any update is mandatory
> >
> > Normaly i download the latest ML , all TL's , copy them with gencopy
> > into a lppsource and run lppmgr on it. This way i have a clean ML
> > source with the latest sw enhancement and driver.
> >
> > hth
> > Hajo
>
> This certainly does indeed help, Hajo; thanks. Now if I can just decode
> that last part. Remeber, I'm a newbie to AIX. I can do man pages on
> the commands you listed, to figure them out, but I'm still a little
> uncertain as to what to get from IBM's Fix Central.
>
> I notice, now that I'm actually proceeding with selecting a ML or TL
> for downloading, that Fix Central takes me to the 'Customize download'
> page, where it builds a package for me based on the lslpp -Lc output I
> mentioned earlier. So it would appear that for AIX, EVERY download is
> a custom download?
>
> So, having noticed that, and taking your suggestion above, would my
> plan of action now be to download the latest ML (5200-07), and all the
> TLs (5200-08 and 5200-09), and run the lot through the commands you
> list above? Will that get me to the 5200-09 level, even though the ML
> I downloaded and installed is termed 5200-08? Add what of the SPs?
> Include or ignore?
>
> ALso, when I select a ML or SP to download, there is a notice listed
> from Fix Central indicating "This package contains one or more fixes
> that are known to cause regression. The regression may affect your
> system. Emergency fixes may be available for these known problems from
> the Interim fix management page. Reference APAR number(s) " and then
> goes on to list the APAR numbers. Is this to say that in ADDITION to
> the ML, and TCs, I now have to download and apply these APAR fixes as
> well?
>
> Again; thanks for taking the time to explain to a newbie. I don't mind
> looking for the answers myself, and typicall try to have SOME
> background before I post a question, but IBM's sites, though
> comprehensive, seem to assume a level of knowledge with their patching
> mechanisms that I just don't have.
>
> Joe D.

Joe

There seems to be a little confusion here.

ML's and TL's are the same thing. TL is IBM's new name for them.

SP's are Service Packs, interim fixes until the next TL comes out.

You are on 5.2 If you don't need any extra support/functionality that
is included in TL 09 and you are after maximum stability, IBM would
recommend you go with TL 08 + it's CSP (Concluding Service Pack)

Let us know if there is anything your unclear about.

Thanks

Steven

Joe D. wrote:
> Hi all; couple of newbie questions: I want to upgrade out pSeries
> 9113-550 server currently running 5.2.0. Maintenance Level 04 to the
> latest Maintenance level (looks like -09). This is to hopefully correct
> numerous JFS_META_CORRUPTION errors that are appearing in the error
> log. Research in this forum and elsewhere seems to indicate that
> upgrading to a later Maintenance level will solve this.
>
> - I see ML 5200-04 through -07 listed on IBM Fix Central under the
> 'Maintenance Level' section. There is also 5200-08 and 5200-09 under
> the 'Technology Level' section. Which should I use? What is the
> difference between ML and TL?
>
> - can I jump directly from our current -04 level to whichever level you
> guys steer me towards, or should I incrementally upgrade, taking a
> mksysb between each one?
>
> - Lastly; should I download the 'Fix Bundles' as they are, or should I
> choose the 'Packaging Options' approach, and build custom downloads for
> my server based on the lslpp -Lc output?
>
> Thanks all for the time and effort;
>
> Joe D.

Hey Joe, check this document from IBM. Answers lots of questions.
The new maint strategy is more than new terminology.

For old AIX'ers you'll notice a few changes for us, such as,
IBM does not reccommend "apply mode" anymore, but use of alt_disk
and/or
multibos as part of the strategy. Also check out the suma command.

http://www-03.ibm.com/servers/eserve...e_strategy.pdf

HTH

Hm, i was not quite correct.
The old naming for service packs on AIX was ML ( Maintenance Level ).
These ML normaly contains software fixes, software enhancements and
driver for new hardware.

These system has been changed to the so called SP ( Service Packs ) and
TL ( Technology Level packages ) and finaly the CSP ( Concluding
Service Pack )

From
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerwork...utta_work.html
....
Maintenance Level
A Maintenance Level (ML) is the service updates that are necessary
to upgrade the base operating system (BOS) or an optional software
product to the current release level.

Starting in 2006, as part of the new AIX 5L Service Strategy, MLs
are replaced by Technology Levels (TLs). They are defined below.

Technology Level
A Technology Level (TL) is the new term for the twice yearly AIX 5L
releases, which contain new hardware and software features and service
updates. The first TL will be restricted to hardware features and
enablement, as well as software service. The second TL will include
hardware features and enablement, software service, and new software
features.

Installing a TL should be viewed as an "all or nothing" operation,
meaning that requisites will be added so that the whole TL is
installed, and not allow a TL to be partially installed. You should
back up your system prior to installing a TL.

Service Pack
A Service Pack (SP) consists of service-only updates (also known as
PTF's) that are released between Technology Levels to be grouped
together for easier identification. These fixes address highly
pervasive, critical, or security-related issues. Service Packs are
provided for the N and N-1 releases (for example, V5.3 and V5.2) on the
latest Technology Level for each release (for example, 5300-04 and
5200-08).

Concluding Service Pack
Concluding Service Pack (CSP) is the last Service Pack for a
Technology Level. The CSP contains fixes for highly pervasive,
critical, or security-related issues just like a Service Pack, but it
might also contain fixes from the newly released Technology Level that
fall into these categories. Therefore, a CSP contains a very small
subset of service that was just released as a part of a new Technology
Level.

CSPs allow for extended service on a Technology Level through the
utilization of Interim Fixes.
.....

So more or less a TL is close to an ML and SP/CSP are more a between
update
If you go to
http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp...dle?release=52
you will see the naming convention:
--- > TL 5200-08 February, 2006 Preventive Maintenance and
support for new hardware.
--- >SP 5200-08-02 May, 2006 TL 5200-08 SW fixes

The problem i had with the TL ( On AIX 5.3 ) was that simply the
latest TL did NOT include hardware driver added in a previous TL
release. So i had to load all TL for AIX 5.3 to get all driver. I do
not know if it designed that way or not.

So for your AIX 5.2 update

Get from fixcentral the:
TL 5200-08
TL 5200-09
SP 5200-09-01

Packaging options for AIX operating system 5.2
For the TL 5200-08 select operating level 5.2.0.0-0
For the TL 5200-09 select operating level 5.2.0.0-8
For the SP 5200-09-01 select operating level 5.2.0.0-9

This way you have all drivers and updates for AIX 5.2

The next question is how to handle the downloaded lpp packages.
1) The download fileset names do not show if a fileset is a update or a
base fileset and some other missing information
To get nice and human readable filename and to solve other problems as
well ( update fileset might have the same name as an install fileset )
we will use gencopy

Lets assume you have downloaded the stuff to
/tmp/
./52TL08
./52TL09
./52SP0901

and your software repository ( which should be on its own filesystem )
is at
/usr/sys/inst.images

First in each download directory you have to create a table of contents
file called .toc
example
$ inutoc /tmp/52TL08
$ ...

Next we use gencopy to copy the downloaded files to their target
location
$ gencopy -d /tmp/52TL08 -t /usr/sys/inst.images/. -b"v" -X all
$ ...

Just look at /usr/sys/inst.images/installp/ppc to see the difference in
filename

The last step is to clean up the created lppsource because we might
have double filesets , update and install fileset at the same level
a.s.o
This task will be done by lppmgr

$ /usr/lib/instl/lppmgr -d /usr/sys/inst.images -u -b -r -V
The -r will remove duplicated fileset and other without asking.

Now you have a nice and clean lpp source
hth
Hajo

Links:
AIX updates Version 3: How to work the puzzle
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerwork...utta_work.html

IBM System p and AIX Information Center
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infoce...v5r3/index.jsp
Go to fixcentral to get the fixes.

gencopy
http://inetsd01.boulder.ibm.com/doc_...s2/gencopy.htm

lppmgr
http://inetsd01.boulder.ibm.com/doc_...ds3/lppmgr.htm

Hajo Ehlers wrote:
> Hm, i was not quite correct.
> So more or less a TL is close to an ML and SP/CSP are more a between
> update
>
> So for your AIX 5.2 update
>
> Get from fixcentral the:
> TL 5200-08
> TL 5200-09
> SP 5200-09-01
>
> Packaging options for AIX operating system 5.2
> For the TL 5200-08 select operating level 5.2.0.0-0

2 questions here:
- I'm currently on 5400-04; shouldn't THAT be the OS level I select to
start from?
- Why get the TL 5200-08? If I ultimately want to get to TL 5200-09,
shouldn't I just start there?

> For the TL 5200-09 select operating level 5.2.0.0-8

- So for each subsequent download, I select as my STARTing OS level the
PRIOR downloaded level? ie; if I just downloaded -08, I select that as
my new 'starting point' to download the next level?

> For the SP 5200-09-01 select operating level 5.2.0.0-9
>
> This way you have all drivers and updates for AIX 5.2
>
> The next question is how to handle the downloaded lpp packages.
> 1) The download fileset names do not show if a fileset is a update or a
> base fileset and some other missing information
> To get nice and human readable filename and to solve other problems as
> well ( update fileset might have the same name as an install fileset )
> we will use gencopy
>
> Lets assume you have downloaded the stuff to
> /tmp/
> ./52TL08
> ./52TL09
> ./52SP0901
>
> and your software repository ( which should be on its own filesystem )
> is at
> /usr/sys/inst.images
>
> First in each download directory you have to create a table of contents
> file called .toc
> example
> $ inutoc /tmp/52TL08
> $ ...
>
> Next we use gencopy to copy the downloaded files to their target
> location
> $ gencopy -d /tmp/52TL08 -t /usr/sys/inst.images/. -b"v" -X all
> $ ...

All 3 go to the same location? SHould there be 3 separate directories
on the /usr/sys/inst.images location?

>
> Just look at /usr/sys/inst.images/installp/ppc to see the difference in
> filename
>
> The last step is to clean up the created lppsource because we might
> have double filesets , update and install fileset at the same level
> a.s.o
> This task will be done by lppmgr
>
> $ /usr/lib/instl/lppmgr -d /usr/sys/inst.images -u -b -r -V
> The -r will remove duplicated fileset and other without asking.
>
> Now you have a nice and clean lpp source
> hth
> Hajo
>
Hajo; thank you again. And again, I apologize for the many questions.
I'm reading through the links you and other respondants have provided,
and perhaps my questions will be answered there.

Let me see if I have the scenario down, and assuming that I want to go
to 5200-08 instead of -09 (another respondant suggested that it would
be the most recent and stable level since it has a CSP):

from fix central:

- Select TL 5200-08; continue on with providing the lslpp -Lc info from
my CURRENT system and CURRENT OS level of 5200-04, and download.
- Select CSP 5200-08-CSP; continue on as above, but this time when
providint eh lslpp -LC, indicate that my current OS level is 5208-08 ?

Then proceed with your other instructions; unutoc, gencopy, and lppmgr
for the above 2 file sets?

Now, a last and possibly most telling about my level of expertise in
AIX; can the actual application of the patches be done LIVE? A cursory
read of some of the above links looks like I can use an
'alt_disk_install' method to install to one of my clones and not impact
the other one until I'm sure it's a good install. Is this advisable if
I only have 2 disks in rootvg, (mirrored)? My plan was to do the
install after hours with no users and the server down or in single
user.

Thanks again...

Joe

steven.langdale@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Joe
>
> You are on 5.2 If you don't need any extra support/functionality that
> is included in TL 09 and you are after maximum stability, IBM would
> recommend you go with TL 08 + it's CSP (Concluding Service Pack)
>
> Let us know if there is anything your unclear about.
>
> Steven

Thank YOU, Steven. I think I'll follow your advice above about
sticking with TL 08 at the CSP level, and follow Hajo's procedural
suggestions.

I'm still unclear about what I should be selevtin on the fix central
site;
- when it asks for my current level of OS, for my 1ST download, do I
specify 5200-04 (my current level) or 5200-00?
- if I then want to download additional patches, do I specify now that
my current OS level is that of what I just downloaded (ie 5200-08) or
still start from 5200-04 (or whatever level your answer to my above
question is)?
- is the CSP cumulative? or do I need to download the 5200-08-01 and
-01 SPs as well?

Lastly; I didn't see an answer to the question I posted about the
verbiage on the 'Package Results' listing: "This package contains one
or more fixes that are known to cause regression. The regression may
affect your system. Emergency fixes may be available for these known
problems from the Interim fix management page. Reference APAR number(s)
IY85319,IY85148,IY88512,IY79272,IY83692,IY84028."

What do I do about these? are these individual fixes that I have to
download and apply?

Thank you again for your assistance....

Joe D. wrote:
> Hajo Ehlers wrote:
> > Hm, i was not quite correct.
....
> 2 questions here:
> - I'm currently on 5400-04; shouldn't THAT be the OS level I select to
> start from?

I have had on AIX 5.1 ML04 problems with an ML level starting from
ML04. For this reason i start with the lowest possible one. So it does
not matter which base level i have.

> - Why get the TL 5200-08? If I ultimately want to get to TL 5200-09,
> shouldn't I just start there?

Like a said in my post: On AIX 5.3 the latest TL DID NOT included all
new hardware driver. The needed driver was in a previous TL. So i had
to get every TL .

>
> > For the TL 5200-09 select operating level 5.2.0.0-8
>
> - So for each subsequent download, I select as my STARTing OS level the
> PRIOR downloaded level? ie; if I just downloaded -08, I select that as
> my new 'starting point' to download the next level?

Yes

....
> > Lets assume you have downloaded the stuff to
> > /tmp/
> > ./52TL08
> > ./52TL09
> > ./52SP0901
> >
> > and your software repository ( which should be on its own filesystem )
> > is at
> > /usr/sys/inst.images
> >
....
> All 3 go to the same location? SHould there be 3 separate directories
> on the /usr/sys/inst.images location?

You might create a aix52ml08 directory and copy all filesets - TL 08 &
CSP 08 into this directory. This way you will have a complete fixpack
fileset for AIX 5.2 ML08

For TL09 you could create aix52ml09 and copy later all filesets into
this directory.

> Let me see if I have the scenario down, and assuming that I want to go
> to 5200-08 instead of -09 (another respondant suggested that it would
> be the most recent and stable level since it has a CSP):
>
> from fix central:
>
> - Select TL 5200-08; continue on with providing the lslpp -Lc info from
> my CURRENT system and CURRENT OS level of 5200-04, and download.
> - Select CSP 5200-08-CSP; continue on as above, but this time when
> providint eh lslpp -LC, indicate that my current OS level is 5208-08 ?

Do not use lslpp -LC. The problem is simply that if you add software to
your system from your base installation respository or even add some
new hardware you just do not have any updates on your system for this
software/hardware.

Its usefull if you updated your system to your desired level and check
then if there are any newer update available. ( Security updates,
emergency fixes and other )

So select 5200--00 as an starting point for 5200-08 and after that use
5200-08 for the CSP.

> Then proceed with your other instructions; unutoc, gencopy, and lppmgr
> for the above 2 file sets?

Yes
Just a repetition:
- inutoc creates a table of contents
- gencopy copy the files to the target location
- lppmgr will clean the lpp source

My approach is to have a complete maintenance fileset.

>
> Now, a last and possibly most telling about my level of expertise in
> AIX; can the actual application of the patches be done LIVE?

Yes.

> A cursory
> read of some of the above links looks like I can use an
> 'alt_disk_install' method to install to one of my clones and not impact
> the other one until I'm sure it's a good install. Is this advisable if
> I only have 2 disks in rootvg, (mirrored)? My plan was to do the
> install after hours with no users and the server down or in single
> user.
If the server is down you can not update the server ;-(

Since i do not know your experience and your environment i can not
state what is the best.


The simplest solution is:
- commit the software which is currently installed ( smitty commit )
- make a mksysb of your system
- do a preview of the update - smitty update_all and select preview

If everthings looks fine
- stop 3rd party application
- smitty update_all and set COMMIT software update to NO
- Read the smit.log for any important messages and reboot the machine.

hth
Hajo

Hajo Ehlers wrote:
>
> Since i do not know your experience and your environment i can not
> state what is the best.
>
Experience level is low on AIX; I'm a Solaris guy, primarily. Picked up
HP-UX though; I find AIX similar to HP-UX from what I've seen thus far.

>
> The simplest solution is:
> - commit the software which is currently installed ( smitty commit )
> - make a mksysb of your system
> - do a preview of the update - smitty update_all and select preview
>
> If everthings looks fine
Your instructions to date are immaculate; the only thing from the
output of the preview that gives me pause for concern is:

SUCCESSES
---------
Filesets listed in this section passed pre-installation verification
and will be installed.

Mandatory Fileset Updates
-------------------------
(being installed automatically due to their importance)
bos.rte.install 5.2.0.88 # LPP Install Commands

<< End of Success Section >>

FILESET STATISTICS
------------------
357 Selected to be installed, of which:
1 Passed pre-installation verification
1 Replaced by superseding updates
355 Deferred (see *NOTE below)
----
1 Total to be installed

*NOTE The deferred filesets mentioned above will be processed after
the
installp update and its requisites are successfully installed.

I don't know if this is just because I'm doing a preview, or not?
Anything to worry about?

> - stop 3rd party application
> - smitty update_all and set COMMIT software update to NO
> - Read the smit.log for any important messages and reboot the machine.
>
> hth
> Hajo
You have been VERY helpful (and patient). Thank you very much...

Joe D.