Preparing for feature upgrade

Use this information to understand and complete the prerequisites for adding or replacing a hardware feature.

1. Install fixes (also known as program temporary fixes or PTFs) on all logical partitions of the server. Use the Installing fixes on systems with logical partitions topic to install the fixes on the server before adding or replacing the hardware feature. To determine what fixes are needed, see IBM® Prerequisite. Verify all partitions that are affected by new or replaced hardware, including AIX®, IBM i, Linux, VIOS, and HMC. For fixes required for necessary levels, see IBM Fix Central.
2. If you need to do a POWER6® server or power code update, see Managed System Updates. If you need to do a POWER7® server or power code update, see Managed System Updates.
3. If you need to do a POWER6 HMC update, see Managed System Updates. If you need to do a POWER7 HMC update, see Managed System Updates.
4. If you need to do an IBM i 6.1 update, see Installing fixes or Installing, upgrading, or deleting i5/OS™ and related software.
5. If you need to do an AIX 5.3 installation, upgrade, or migration, see Installation and migration. If you need to do an AIX 6.1 installation, upgrade, or migration, see Installation and migration.
6. If you need to update AIX 5.3, see Operating system updates. If you need to update AIX 6.1, see Operating system updates.
7. If you need to install the POWER6 Virtual I/O Server, see Installing the Virtual I/O Server and client logical partitions. If you need to install the POWER7 Virtual I/O Server, see Installing the Virtual I/O Server and client logical partitions.
8. If you need to update the POWER6 Virtual I/O Server, see Managing the Virtual I/O Server. If you need to update the POWER7 Virtual I/O Server, see Managing the Virtual I/O Server.
9. See Printing the server configuration when changing a hardware feature.
10. Save the entire server on a tape drive that is compatible with the tape drive on the target server. For instructions about saving the server and logical partitions, see the Performing a complete save using the GO SAVE checklist topic.
    Note: To determine if your tape drives are compatible, see IBM Prerequisite. If you are upgrading a partitioned server, ensure that you save all the data on the logical partitions. Saving this data is vital for recovery if you experience errors when you upgrade the server. If your source system is a POWER6 system, see Backing up and recovering data. If your source system is a POWER7 system, see Backing up and recovering data. For POWER6 information on backing up the Virtual I/O Server, see Backing up the Virtual I/O Server. For POWER7 information on backing up the Virtual I/O Server, see Backing up the Virtual I/O Server.