AIX Software Update

[remsauk]

Hi..

I'm responsible for maintaining our iSeries (AS/400) and an AIX box. I'm more confortable doing the following in the AS/400 environment. However, I've decided to try my hand at updating the Operating System software (in the AS/400 word, and perhaps in AIX, IBM refers to these upgrades/fixes as PFTs.)

I'm currently running AIX 5.1.0.4 (oslevel -r displays 5100-04.) I've been to IBM's website and dowloaded fileset 5100-05 to my PC. (I thought I'd start out with the next step) The instructions look straight forward; I understand fixes are cumulative, which is nice. I'm a little unclear about applied/commit. On the AS/400, fixes are first loaded on to the server and then applied. Some are immediate but generally most of them will require an IPL (reboot) to apply. You can isplay which ones will apply after an IPL.

1. Do users have to off the system when these are loaded to the server?
2. Is it a good idea to do shutdown -r after fixes are loaded?

Thanks

 

[hirschaj]

Here are brief answers...

1. No users do not need to be off the box but it is always best to get all apps stopped and users out of the system if possible.
2. You will need to reboot after applying the patches.

Also, for AIX you should always "apply" the patches as opposed to "commit" if you have the disk space available. This will make it very easy to roll back the patches if you run into problems.


Jim Hirschauer

http://www.aixexpert.com

 

[hfaix]

It would be best to have all users off the system. This is how I normally do it.

1. I like reboot the machine (without cron or my application scripts running after the reboot ). This assures the system came up clean prior to any updates.

2. update into Applied mode.

3. Reboot the machine

 

[aixnag]

Hi Remsauk,

It always recommended to reboot the m/c after applying the ML level.

If i were you, i will do as below:

1. Ask users to log off from the system.
2. Stop all the applications and databases if any
3. Take mksysb backup of the system.
4. Install ML in 'apply' mode.
5. Reboot the server and verify the ML level.
6. Take the mksysb backup of the system.
7. Bring up all the applications and databases.
8. verify applications and ask users to verify as well.

In case any problems, you can rollback ML level since you installed in 'apply' mode. Alternatively you can previous backup to restore.

Hope it helps.

aixnag
IBM Certified Specialist - P-series AIX 5L Administration
IBM Certified Specialist - AIX V4 HACMP

 

[remsauk]

Thanks to all...this is very helpful. This AIX box has Informix and currenty runs one application (our financial package). I'm not sure how to stop/start the Informix Database. Regarding fixes...I'm thinking that AIX Apply mode is similar to the AS/400 Temporarily Appled status and Commit is similar to the AS/400 Permanently Applied status. When AIX fixes are in the Applied mode, they are working...they're just not COmmitted?

Thanks again

 

[hfaix]

yep.. applied they are working, however, just not committed. The one caveat is some first time software installs will always go on as committed.