Upgrading IBM MQ

Upgrading is the process of taking an existing IBM® MQ installation and upgrading to a new level of code.

Before you begin

This task assumes that you understand the difference between Long Term Support and Continuous Delivery releases, and the maintenance delivery model that applies in each case. For more information, see IBM MQ Release Types and versioning.

About this task

When you upgrade from one release to another, or apply maintenance, including fix packs, cumulative security updates (CSUs), or interim fixes, the impact of the change depends on the extent of the change in the VRMF level:
  • The term upgrade applies to increasing the version V, release R, or modification M level.
  • The term fix applies to increasing the fix F level.
At each change of the V, R, or M level, the command level on the queue manager changes. On a change to the F level, the command level does not change.
[UNIX, Linux, Windows, IBM i]On Multiplatforms, after an upgrade has been applied, the only way to back out a VRM change is by taking one of the following actions:
  • Uninstalling the product code and reinstalling the code.
  • Installing the old level of code alongside the existing code and using the setmqm command to associate the queue manager with the other installation.

The general rule, is that if you have carried out an install that causes the command level of the new installation to be updated, and started the queue manager, you cannot back out the changes.

[z/OS]On z/OS®, you can install new releases of IBM MQ to upgrade IBM MQ to a new VRM level. For more information, see Upgrade and migration of IBM MQ on z/OS.

Procedure

  1. Open Downloading IBM MQ 9.1.
  2. Click the "CD releases" tab.

    Note that 9.1.5 was the final CD release for IBM MQ 9.1, and you are instructed to upgrade to CD releases in IBM MQ 9.2.

  3. To access the latest 9.1 LTS downloads, click the "Latest LTS fix" tab.

    From this tab you can download the latest LTS base install level, and either an LTS fix pack or an LTS CSU, whichever is the latest.

    The format of the download is platform-specific. For Multiplatforms you download one or more parts from Passport Advantage® or Fix Central; For z/OS you download PTFs from Shopz.
    Note: Fix Pack 9.1.0.9 and earlier also included fixes for the IBM MQ Appliance. However, support for the IBM MQ 9.1 Appliance firmware ended in September 2021, and subsequent fix packs do not include firmware updates for IBM MQ 9.1 on the Appliance. For the IBM MQ Appliance support schedule, see https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/lifecycle/search/?q=mq%20appliance.
    1. To get the latest LTS base install level for Multiplatforms, find the section Downloading the release from Passport Advantage (IBM MQ for Multiplatforms).
    2. To get the latest fix pack or CSU:
      • [UNIX, Linux, Windows, IBM i]Find the section Downloading the fix pack/CSU from Fix Central (IBM MQ for Multiplatforms)
      • [z/OS]Find the section Downloading the fix pack/CSU for z/OS

      Fix packs and CSUs are cumulative. Therefore you are only offered the latest fix, which might be either a fix pack or a CSU.