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IBM PowerVM: Recommended upgrade paths to Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) Version 3.1

How To


Summary

This document lists recommended upgrade paths for IBM PowerVM Virtual I/O Servers (VIOS) version 2.2 to VIOS version 3.1

Steps

For a Virtual I/O server not in SSP configuration:

VIOS Level

Recommended Procedure to Upgrade to 3.x

How to Upgrade to 3.x if the Recommended Procedure Fails

1.5  Note 1

  1. Migrate to 2.1
  2. Update to fix pack 2.2.6.10
  3. Update to service pack 2.2.6.61
  4. Apply mini pack 2.2.6.65 Note 3
  5. Install viosupgVIO.200807.epkg.Z Note 5
  6. Upgrade to 3.1

Re-install at 3.1 and restore configuration from the backup Note 2

2.1 to 2.2.6.0

  1. Update to fix pack 2.2.6.10
  2. Update to service pack 2.2.6.61
  3. Apply mini pack 2.2.6.65 Note 3
  4. Install viosupgVIO.200807.epkg.Z Note 5
  5. Upgrade to 3.1

Re-install at 3.1 and restore configuration from the backup Note 2

 

For a Virtual I/O server which is part of an SSP configuration:

VIOS Level

Recommended Procedure to Upgrade to 3.x

How to Upgrade to 3.x if the Recommended Procedure Fails

2.2.0.11 to 2.2.1.3

  1. Update to 2.2.1.4 or 2.2.1.5 Note 4
  2. Update to fix pack 2.2.6.10
  3. Update to service pack 2.2.6.61
  4. Apply mini pack 2.2.6.65 Note 3
  5. Install viosupgVIO.200807.epkg.Z Note 5
  6. Upgrade to 3.1

Re-install at 3.1 and restore configuration from the backup Note 2

2.2.1.4 to 2.2.6.0

  1. Update to fix pack 2.2.6.10
  2. Update to service pack 2.2.6.61
  3. Apply mini pack 2.2.6.65 Note 3
  4. Install viosupgVIO.200807.epkg.Z Note 5
  5. Upgrade to 3.1

 

Re-install at 3.1 and restore configuration from the backup Note 2

Note 1: The last SP level at 1.X is 1.5.2.6. This version reached End of Support (EoS) in 2011. At that time, migration media to version 2.1. was available on ESS to migrate from 1.5 level. Since then, 2.1 reached EoS also and the migration media is not available anymore. Currently, if a VIO server is still at version 1.X level, we recommend to re-install the VIO server at 3.1. It is also highly possible that the hardware might not support installing 3.1. Check the following FLRT link to check compatibility between the hardware and the VIO server levels.

https://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/flrt/power

Note 2: As with all maintenance, you should create a VIOS backup (with backupios command), configuration backup (with viosbr command) before making changes. In case the Virtual I/O Server is part of an SSP cluster, create a cluster configuration backup as well (with viosbr command).

Note 3: You can place fix pack 2.2.6.10, service pack 2.2.6.61, and minipack 2.2.6.65 in the same location and apply updates in a single step. 

Note 4: A cluster that is created and configured on a VIOS Version at 2.2.1.3 or earlier must be migrated to version 2.2.1.4 or 2.2.1.5 prior to utilizing rolling updates. This allows the user to keep their shared storage pool devices. All the nodes in the cluster must be updated to the same level of either 2.2.1.4 or 2.2.1.5 before updating to 2.2.6.10.

Note 5: viosupgrade tool is included in 2.2.6.30 and above.  The enhancement version of this tool is available as interim fix at https://public.dhe.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/vio/ztools/VIOUPGRADE_ENHANCEMENTS/viosupgVIO.200807.epkg.Z  

IBM recommends installing this interim fix at 2.2.6.65 before doing the VIOS upgrade.

Additional Information

 
Here are the readme for 2.2.6.10, 2.2.6.61 and 2.2.6.65 respectively
 
Here is the link to Fix Central to download the fix packs, service packs and mini packs.
 
"viosupgrade" Checklist for Upgrading Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) from 2.2.6 to 3.1

Document Location

Worldwide

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Product Synonym

VIOS; Virtual I/O Server; PowerVM VIOS

Document Information

Modified date:
15 January 2026

UID

ibm16369109

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