Question & Answer
Question
IBM AIX compatibility with Power Systems hardware is determined not only by the major operating system version, but also by the installed Technology Level (TL) and Service Pack (SP). Support for a new generation of POWER processors is often introduced through a specific AIX maintenance level, meaning that an earlier TL may only support the hardware in a previous processor compatibility mode.
This document covers four generations of IBM Power processors—POWER8, POWER9, POWER10 and POWER11—and lists the corresponding AIX operating-system levels that provide compatibility enablement for each generation. Its purpose is to provide a quick reference for deployment, migration and upgrade planning, particularly when determining whether an existing AIX environment meets the minimum software requirements for a target Power platform.
The listed mappings represent compatibility-enablement levels. Additional requirements—such as system firmware, machine type and model, virtualization components, device support, and interim fixes—may also apply. IBM’s current documentation, Fix Level Recommendation Tool (FLRT), and system-specific support information should therefore be reviewed before implementing a production migration or upgrade.
Cause
Answer
The following section lists the processor compatibility modes available for each IBM Power generation, from POWER8 through POWER11, together with the corresponding minimum AIX operating-system levels required for compatibility enablement. Because support can also depend on the specific server model, firmware level, and I/O configuration, the listed OS levels should be treated as baseline requirements.
IBM POWER8
AIX 6100-09-11 or higher can run in Power7 compatibility mode.
AIX 7100-03-03 or higher can run in Power8 compatibility mode.
IBM POWER9
AIX 6100-09-11 or 7100-04-06 can run in Power7 compatibility mode.
AIX 7100-04-06 or higher can run in Power8 compatibility mode.
AIX 7200-02-02 or lower can run in Power9_Base compatibility mode.
AIX 7200-04 or lower can run in Power9 compatibility mode with FW940 level installed
IBM POWER10
AIX 7100-05-03 or higher can run in Power8 compatibility mode.
AIX 7200-04-02 or 7200-05-01 or higher can run in Power9 compatibility mode
AIX 7200-04-05 or 7200-05-03 or lower can run in Power9_Base compatibility mode.
AIX 7300 or higher can run in Power10 compatibility mode.
IBM POWER11
AIX 7200-05-10 or 7300-02-04 or higher can run in Power9 and Power9_Base compatibility mode.
AIX 7300-03-00 or lower must run in Power10 compatibility mode.
AIX 7300-03-01 or higher can run in Power11 compatibility mode.
References:
System to AIX maps
System to PowerVM Virtual I/O Server maps
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Document Information
Modified date:
07 August 2026
UID
ibm17282898