OS Upgrades

Upgrading your OS

In general IBM does a pretty good job of outlining how to do an OS upgrade. The basic rules of thumb are to:

• Read carefully all applicable Memo To Users. If you are at x.y and you are upgrading to x.y+2 then read the MTU for both x.y+1 and x.y+2. IBM will not repeat everything in x.y+1 in x.y+2. So, if you are upgrading from IBM i 6.1 to 7.2 then read the MTU for both 7.1 and 7.2. From 7.1 to 7.3 then read the MTU for both 7.2 and 7.3.
• Following the instructions in the Knowledge Center carefully.
• Verify that your hardware is compatible with the new release. Do not just check the model. Sometimes ancillary items are important also. For example a Power 6 could have upgraded to IBM i 7.2 but often times many cards and disk enclosures were not supported under 7.2.
• Check with your software vendors to ensure that the version of software you are running is compatible with the new level of OS.

Upgrading to IBM i 7.2

• Read the IBM i 7.2 Memo To Users at https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_ibm_i_72/rzahg/rzahgmtu.htm
• If you are upgrading from something earlier than 7.1 then also read the 7.1 MTU at https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_ibm_i_71/rzahg/rzahgmtu.htm
• Follow the instructions at: https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_ibm_i_72/rzahc/rzahc1.htm
• Check hardware at: http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1022040
• There's also a DB2 Supplement to the 7.2 MTU available at: https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/wikis/home?lang=en#!/wiki/IBM%20i%20Technology%20Updates/page/Memorandum%20To%20Users%20(MTU)%20Supplement There are some important details in there which may affect some users.

Upgrading to IBM i 7.3

• Read the IBM i 7.3 Memo To Users at https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_ibm_i_73/rzahg/rzahgmtu.htm
• If you are upgrading from something earlier than 7.2 then also read the 7.2 MTU at https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_ibm_i_72/rzahg/rzahgmtu.htm
• Follow the instructions at: https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_ibm_i_73/rzahc/rzahc1.htm
• Check hardware and software at: http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1022023

Common items addressed during this upgrade

Change in functionality with NetServer shares due to SMB2

IBM's change to using SMB2 as a default with 7.3 has caused issues with some users. Basically it's important to be on current Windows versions and they be currently patched. A specific fix is mentioned here: http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1021348 There was also an issue with this and your password case but I can't find that link. One technique used is to change 7.3 to go back to SMB1. Since someone compared that to fixing a security issue by just giving all users *ALLOBJ authority I'll not pass on the link which shows you how to switch back to SMB1.

(suggestion welcome)

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