How To
Summary
After an AIX upgrade, it is simple to forget to reboot AIX to start the new AIX kernel.
This article covers how to find out the date of the running AIX Kernel and the date of the recent AIX upgrade.
If you did not reboot, you could be running the new commands and libraries on the older kernel code. This is not a good idea.
Objective
Environment
Here is the story I have 2-year old copy of AIX running in my LPAR/VM called vm219
Original AIX level before I started
# oslevel -s
7200-02-02-1832
From this output, we learn
- AIX version 7.2 (7200)
- Technology Level 2 (the first 02) also called TL2
- Service pack 2 (the second 02) also called sp2
- This OS was released from IBM in 2018 (the 18) and week number is 32 out of 52. Using Google, this is the week starting 13 August 2018
AIX level after upgrade to Technology Level TL4
# oslevel -s
7200-04-00-0000
From this output, we learn
- AIX version 7.2 (7200)
- Technology Level 4 (04) also called TL4
- Service pack 0 (00) meaning there is no service pack installed
- The released date is all zeros. The zeros means the OS level should not be running as there is a missing mandatory service pack.
- Note: some upgrade media can include the first service pack so you might not see this output.
AIX level after TL4 service pack sp1
# oslevel -s
7200-04-01-1939
From this output, we learn
- AIX version 7.2 (7200)
- Technology Level 4 (04) also called TL4
- Service pack 1 (01) also called sp1
- This OS was released from IBM in 2019 (the 19) and week number is 39 out of 52. Using Google, this is the week starting 23 Sept 2019
Now the real question: What AIX kernel am I running?
The running AIX Kernel (it has not been reboot since the upgrade)
# cat /proc/version
Jun 21 2018
11:21:50
1825A_72H
@(#) _kdb_buildinfo unix_64 Jun 21 2018 11:21:50 1825A_72H
#
From this output, we learn
- The currently running AIX version 7.2 (_72H). Ignore the "H" - it is an IBM internal code for the TL
- The actual kernel release date "1825" is a few weeks before the AIX 7.2 TL2 release date. This difference is expected.
- This running AIX kernel dated June 2018
But did the AIX 7.3 TL4 include an updated kernel?
- Most new TL release includes a new kernel package (code) but let us check:
On the upgraded AIX:
# lslpp -l bos.mp64
Fileset Level State Description
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Path: /usr/lib/objrepos
bos.mp64 7.2.4.2 APPLIED Base Operating System 64-bit
Multiprocessor Runtime
Path: /etc/objrepos
bos.mp64 7.2.4.2 APPLIED Base Operating System 64-bit
Multiprocessor Runtime
#
In the command output, we see the "bos.mp64" is the real AIX Kernel package
Let us find the files in that package:
# lslpp -f bos.mp64
Fileset File
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Path: /usr/lib/objrepos
bos.mp64 7.2.4.0 /usr/lib/boot/unix_64
/usr/lib/boot/unix -> /usr/lib/boot/unix_64
/usr/lib/boot/xkexports
/usr/sbin/kdb_64
Path: /etc/objrepos
bos.mp64 7.2.4.0 /unix -> /usr/lib/boot/unix_64
Classic UNIX has the file /unix as the UNIX Kernel executable file and the previous command output stats it is "/usr/lib/boot/unix_64"
Let us investigate:
# ls -l /unix
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root system 21 Mar 27 10:10 /unix -> /usr/lib/boot/unix_64
# ls -l /usr/lib/boot/unix_64
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root system 45422205 Nov 12 18:17 /usr/lib/boot/unix_64
#
So:
- "/unix" is a symbolic link to "/usr/lib/boot/unix_64"
- "/unix" is today's date - the day of my AIX upgrade that is 27 March 2020
- "/usr/lib/boot/unix_64" has a date of the file in the installation media, which is kept during the installation.
- The newly installed kernel is dated November 2019
The running Kernel is dated June 2018
The new Kernel is dated November 2019
We need to reboot
- The End -
Steps
Additional Information
Other places to find Nigel Griffiths IBM (retired)
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
12 June 2023
UID
ibm11165624