Planning a workload migration to IBM® Power® Virtual Server

Supported AIX versions for Power Virtual Server

For AIX, Power Virtual Server supports only AIX 7.1, or later. If you use an unsupported version, it is subject to outages during planned maintenance windows with no advanced notification given. Your current AIX level and POWER processor family can help determine which migration path to follow.

Supported IBM i versions for Power Virtual Server

You must use the latest version of IBM i OS. If you are using an older version of IBM i, you must upgrade the OS to a current support level and then migrate to Power Virtual Server. For more information about upgrading the IBM i OS, see Fast path for software installation, upgrade, and deletion tasks. For more information about the supported IBM i OS levels, see IBM i Release Support.

Migration checklist for Power Virtual Server

Before you migrate to a newer IBM Power, review the following checklist:

• Plan the system migration.
• Install the latest required software and apply the available fixes.
• Set the appropriate processor compatibility mode for logical partitions (LPARs) before and after migration.
• Plan the virtual processor (VP) and entitlement for each LPAR to best fit your operation and performance requirements.
• Perform the steps provided in the I/O consideration guide.
• Consider contacting IBM Technology Expert Labs to ease the migration process.

Migrating to an IBM Power11

Learn more about migrating workloads from an existing IBM Power system to a Power11 system. Before you begin your migration, review the information in this section.

AIX and IBM i - You must update your LPAR operating system to the recommended levels before you migrate to a newer system. Installing only the minimum levels can make your partitions or workloads vulnerable to issues that are resolved in some of the latest updates. Hence it is recommended to install the required and latest updates from Fix Central before you start your migration.

Linux - You must migrate your Linux operating system level to a Power11-supported level.

For more information about the supported operating system levels and available stock images for Power11 systems, Operating systems supported in IBM Power Virtual Server.

For more information about IBM Power11 performance and migration strategies, see the following articles:

• System to IBM i mapping
• IBM i on Power - Performance FAQ
• IBM Power Systems Performance Report
• System software maps for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
• System software maps for Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Migrating to an IBM Power10 in an IBM data center

IBM data center

Learn more about migrating workloads from an existing IBM Power system to a Power10 system. Before you begin your migration, review the information in this section.

AIX and IBM i - You must update your LPAR operating system to the recommended levels before you migrate to a newer system. Installing only the minimum levels can make your partitions or workloads vulnerable to issues that are resolved in some of the latest updates. Hence it is recommended to install the required and latest updates from Fix Central before you start your migration. For IBM i the supported levels are IBM i 7.3 TR 11 and IBM i 7.4 TR 5, or later.

Linux - You must migrate your Linux operating system level to a Power10-supported level.

For more information about the supported operating system levels and available stock images for Power11 systems, see Operating systems that are supported in IBM Power Virtual Server.

To learn more about IBM Power10 performance and migration strategies, see the following articles:

• System to IBM i mapping
• IBM i on Power - Performance FAQ
• IBM Power performance resource center
• Supported Linux distributions and virtualization options for Power10 Linux on Power servers

Migrating to an IBM Power9 in an IBM data center

IBM data center

Learn more about migrating workloads from your older IBM POWER to a Power9 system. Before you begin your migration, review the information in this section.

Installing only the minimum levels can make your partitions or workloads vulnerable to issues that are resolved in some of the latest updates.

• Power9 makes more efficient use of the 8 hardware SMT threads that are available per CPU (when it runs in SMT8 mode). When you migrate from an older system, consider the use of SMT8. Also, consider reducing the allocation of CPUs (in dedicated CPU LPARs), or reducing VPs and CPU entitlement on shared CPU LPARs.
• Capacity planning is important when you are considering processor migration. When you are setting performance improvement goals and expectations, take note of the application behavior (for example, highly multi-threaded workloads vs single-threaded workloads).

To learn more about IBM Power9 performance and migration strategies, see the following articles:

• Hints and tips for migrating workloads to IBM Power9
• IBM i on Power - Performance FAQ
• IBM Power Performance Report

Lab services for Power Virtual Server

IBM Technology Expert Labs has service offerings available to assist you with resolving system, application, and database performance problems. Formal and informal training opportunities are also available where you can learn how to use performance tools and resolve issues on your own.