Migrating to Db2 12
Migration is the process of upgrading from Db2 11 to Db2 12.
The Db2 12 migration process uses a single catalog level. For more information about catalog levels in Db2 12, see Function levels and related levels in Db2 12. Before you begin migration to Db2 12, read all information in Preparing your system to install or migrate to Db2 12.
Availability of new function and Db2 12 function levels
- Virtual storage enhancements
- Virtual storage enhancements become available at the activation of the function level that introduces them or higher. Activation of function level 100 introduces all virtual storage enhancements in the initial Db2 12 release. That is, activation of function level 500 introduces no virtual storage enhancements.
- Subsystem parameters
- New subsystem parameter settings are in effect only when the function level that introduced them or a higher function level is activated. Many subsystem parameter changes in the initial Db2 12 release take effect in function level 500. For more information about subsystem parameter changes in Db2 12, see Subsystem parameter changes in Db2 12.
- Optimization enhancements
- Optimization enhancements become available after the activation of the function level that introduces them or higher, and full prepare of the SQL statements. When a full prepare occurs depends on the statement type:
- For static SQL statements, after bind or rebind of the package
- For non-stabilized dynamic SQL statements, immediately, unless the statement is in the dynamic statement cache
- For stabilized dynamic SQL statements, after invalidation, free, or changed application compatibility level
- SQL capabilities
- New SQL capabilities become available after the activation of the function level that introduces them or higher, for applications that run at the equivalent application compatibility level or higher. New SQL capabilities in the initial Db2 12 release become available in function level 500 for applications that run at the equivalent application compatibility level or higher. You can continue to run SQL statements compatibly with lower function levels, or previous Db2 releases, including Db2 11 and DB2 10. For details, see Application compatibility levels in Db2 12
Function levels in Db2 12
When you initially migrate to Db2 12, Db2 is at function level 100, and you cannot use most new capabilities.
You can use function level 100 to complete migration tasks and verify that the subsystem is stable. In a data sharing environment, you use function level 100 to migrate all members of the group to Db2 12. When the subsystem or data sharing group is stable at function level 100, you can activate a higher function level. After any new function level is activated, fallback to Db2 11 is no longer possible.