V6R1

i5/OS V6R1 has been announced, to be available in 2008. Some of the planned features:

• A new name! i 6.1
• New, common (cross platform) JVM (that runs under PASE)
• New, integrated Web application server -- No more Tomcat???
• Integrated Web services environment for Integrated Language Environment® ILE programs.
• Multiplatform system management console
• Encrypted backups to any tape or virtual tape device, encryption of data stored on disk, and intrusion protection.
• Multithreading and addition of local file support for the RPG compiler

There is a major consideration to be aware of before installing V6R1 - Program Conversion. All programs will be re-encapsulated in order to be used with V6R1. This is simple and automatic if the programs were compiled at V5R1 or greater. If the programs were compiled at V4R5 and earlier, they can be automatically converted only if they have program observability information. Without observability, programs cannot be converted!

Many software vendors routinely delete observability information, so it is highly likely that if your System i has 3rd party software installed, you will require a new release of that software.

As with the CISC to RISC conversion, IBM have provided a CL program ANZOBJCVN to assist in identifying objects that will not convert to V6R1.

Due to the necessary object conversion, the possibility exists that 3rd party products may not be immediately compatible with i 6.1. An unofficial V6R1_Compatibility table can be found on this wiki.

External links

• IBM i5/OS V6R1 preview
• IT Jungle article on V6R1 July 2007
• IBM Systems Magazine article on V6R1 Dec 2007
• IBM Pre-Upgrade Verification Tool for i5/OS, Document Number:465353483
• System i support i5/OS V6R1 Information
• PDF of IBM i Program Conversion: Getting Ready for 6.1 and Beyond (redp4293) at IBM Redpapers

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