Preparing for the migration with IBM i 7.3 on the source system

To prepare to migrate your IBM® i data to a new target system when you can load IBM i 7.3 on the source system, follow these procedures.

Before you begin this procedure, complete these prerequisite tasks:

  • Start of changeObtain and review the preventive service planning (PSP) document on the Preventive service planning - PSP website. The PSP document for IBM i 7.3 data migrations is SF98196. Review this document for the most current information about conditions that might affect your data migration.End of change
  • Plan the migration.

Preparing the target system

  1. Ensure that your console is set up and ready for your environment.
    For information, see Connecting to your system.
  2. Verify that the target system is set up and is running with only the Licensed Internal Code and the base IBM i 7.3 operating system installed. (Order feature code 0205, or manually install the new system up to the point before you use GO LICPGM to install libraries QGPL and QUSRSYS and licensed programs.)
  3. If you are configuring a system with logical partitions, create logical partitions on the target system and then install the Licensed Internal Code and IBM i 7.3 on each logical partition. Allow at least two additional hours to do this for each logical partition. For more information, see the Logical partitioning topic for your system model in the IBM Power Systems Hardware Information Center.
  4. Perform disk unit management (for example, manage disk protection and disk configuration). To do this, you can use the Work with Disk Units option from the Dedicated Service Tools display. For more information, see Configuring disks and disk protection.

Preparing the source system

  1. Prepare to upgrade the IBM i release. Refer to Preparing to upgrade or replace IBM i software.

    Ensure that you do the following:

    • Use the Work with Line Descriptions command (WRKLIND) to view and delete unused lines and line descriptions.
    • Use the Work with Device Descriptions command (WRKDEVD) to delete unused device descriptions.
      Note: You can use the WRKLIND and WRKDEVD commands to view and verify that all of the descriptions listed are in use. If you are sure one is not in use, delete it. If you are not sure, keep it.
  2. Verify the status of the system library list, database cross-reference files, and the SQL catalog by signing on with QSECOFR or equivalent user then:
    1. For system ASP, run the following on the IBM i command line:
      • CHGJOB LOG(4 00 *SECLVL) LOGCLPGM(*YES)
      • DSPLIBL OUTPUT(*PRINT)
      • SETASPGRP ASPGRP(*NONE)
      • RCLDBXREF OPTION(*CHECK)
      • CALL PGM(QSYS/QSQSQLCAT) PARM(*CHECK)
      • CALL PGM(QSYS/QSQIBMCHK)
      • DSPJOBLOG OUTPUT(*PRINT)
      • SIGNOFF
    2. For each iASP attached, run the following on the IBM i command line:
      • CHGJOB LOG(4 00 *SECLVL) LOGCLPGM(*YES)
      • SETASPGRP ASPGRP(asp_name)
      • RCLDBXREF OPTION(*CHECK)
      • CALL PGM(QSYS/QSQSQLCAT) PARM(*CHECK)
      • CALL PGM(QSYS/QSQIBMCHK)
      • DSPJOBLOG OUTPUT(*PRINT)
      • SIGNOFF
    3. Check DSPLIBL to ensure QSYS2 is listed, if not then add QSYS2 to the system library using the WRKSYSVAL QSYSLIBL command, it should be directly below QSYS.
    4. If any job log messages reference the QSYS2 library from the CALL to QSQSQLCAT, missing items are reported from the CALL to QSQIBMCHK, or RCLDBXREF reports an error contact IBM i OS software support.
  3. Print your system configuration information as follows:
    1. On the IBM i command line, enter PRTSYSINF and then print the resulting spooled files. This prints reports of the hardware resources, software resources, system values, installed fixes (program temporary fixes or PTFs), and other configuration information.
    2. Print a new system configuration list and keep this list for future reference. For instructions, see Printing the system configuration list.
    3. On the IBM i command line, enter WRKDEVD. Use option 6 (Print) to print the device descriptions.
    4. On the IBM i command line, enter WRKCTLD. Use option 6 (Print) to print the controller descriptions.
  4. Save the entire system so you can restore it to its original state after you perform the data migration.
    Save the entire system by using option 21 of the GO SAVE command. For more information about the GO SAVE command, see Overview of the GO SAVE command. Specify the following options:
    1. Vary off the network server...*ALL
    2. Unmount file systems..........Y
    3. Spooled file data ............*ALL
    Note: Ensure that you have two copies of the backup media.

    Start of changeIf the Licensed Internal Code is not preinstalled on the target system with IBM i 7.3, feature code 0205 authorizes you to use the new version and release on the source system for the sole purpose of migrating your data. To use feature 0205, you must have a valid software maintenance agreement on your source system. When the data migration is complete, you must reinstall the previous operating system on the source system to restore the system to its original state. To restore the system to its original state, follow the steps in Recovering your system. Use the recovery information for the release that you want to restore.End of change

    If feature 0205 was not ordered with your target system, use the other method for data migration in the topic Preparing for the migration from a IBM i model that does not support IBM i 7.3. Otherwise, continue with the next step here.

  5. Complete the upgrade of IBM i 7.3.
    Refer to either Upgrading or replacing software using automatic installation or Upgrading or replacing software using manual installation.

Stabilizing the source system

  1. Run the source system at the new release level for 2 weeks.
  2. Refresh the PTF level.
    Check for new cumulative fix packs or high-impact pervasive (HIPER) fixes. For more information, see Using software fixes.
  3. Print your system configuration information as follows:
    1. On the IBM i command line, enter PRTSYSINF and then print the resulting spooled files. This prints reports of the hardware resources, software resources, system values, installed fixes (program temporary fixes or PTFs), and other configuration information.
    2. Print a new system configuration list and keep this list for future reference. For instructions, see Printing the system configuration list.
    3. On the IBM i command line, enter WRKDEVD. Use option 6 (Print) to print the device descriptions.
    4. On the IBM i command line, enter WRKCTLD. Use option 6 (Print) to print the controller descriptions.
  4. Save the entire system by using option 21 of the GO SAVE command. For more information about the GO SAVE command, see Overview of the GO SAVE command. Specify the following options:
    1. Vary off the network server...*ALL
    2. Unmount file systems..........Y
    3. Spooled file data ............*ALL
    Note: Ensure that you have two copies of the backup media.

The next step is to complete the migration. Go to Completing the migration with IBM i 7.3 on the source system.