Preventive Service Planning
Abstract
This document discusses the transition from SDDPCM to AIXPCM as the primary multi-pathing driver on IBM Power AIX and PowerVM VIO server.
Content
On IBM Power AIX and VIOS hosts, the AIX Path Control Module (AIXPCM) is the recommended and supported multi-pathing driver.
SDDPCM is no longer supported on POWER9 and POWER10 servers.
If SDDPCM and its host attachments are installed on AIX or VIOS, they shall be removed by running the manage_disk_drivers command.
Prerequisite OS Levels
AIX 7.1 TL3
AIX 7.2 any TL
VIOS 2.2.4.0
Why is this change being made?
The AIXPCM has evolved to include all significant functionality provided by SDDPCM.
The AIXPCM has the advantage over SDDPCM of not requiring specific maintenance. All updates are applied as part of the Operating System Maintenance.
Please refer to Migrate to AIXPCM using "Manage_Disk_Drivers" Command for instructions on removing the SDDPCM from your system.
The AIXPCM has the advantage over SDDPCM of not requiring specific maintenance. All updates are applied as part of the Operating System Maintenance.
Please refer to Migrate to AIXPCM using "Manage_Disk_Drivers" Command for instructions on removing the SDDPCM from your system.
Additional considerations
Removing SDDPCM will set the hdisk devices queue_depth to a default value. Any modification made to the queue depth prior to removal will need to be reapplied.
Multipath management commands differ between AIXPCM(AIX MPIO) and SDDPCM. If the SDDPCM is removed from your system, any scripts that utilize these commands will need to be modified to use the corresponding AIXPCM commands. Please see Multiple Path I/O documentation for the complete list of AIX MPIO-path management commands.
Multipath management commands differ between AIXPCM(AIX MPIO) and SDDPCM. If the SDDPCM is removed from your system, any scripts that utilize these commands will need to be modified to use the corresponding AIXPCM commands. Please see Multiple Path I/O documentation for the complete list of AIX MPIO-path management commands.
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Document Information
Modified date:
01 June 2025
UID
ssg1S1010218