Understanding the Hardware to Software Maps for AIX

Sections

The report is divided into three sections - top, middle, and bottom.

The top section allows you to jump to lower sections quickly. It is also used to get to this page, the hardware product announcement and to select another map.

The middle section contains the information on the AIX operating system levels in relationship to the selected machine type model.

The third section can be used to find additional information that may be useful to you.

AIX levels

This document provides general information about AIX releases. For detailed understanding, refer to the IBM AIX Operating System Service Strategy Details and Best Practices document at http://www.ibm.com/support/customercare/sas/f/best.

An AIX release is commonly referred to by its version and release numbers. Examples include AIX 7.1, AIX 6.1, AIX 5.3.

In order to enable support for new hardware and software enhancements within a release, IBM will provide a Technology Level (TL) package.

As IBM corrects the AIX operating system throughout the year, a Service Pack (SP) is used. SPs are the primary way to deliver corrective service on top of a specific Technology Level.

When a TL or SP package is installed, the operating system "level" information changes. Use the oslevel -s command to view the operating system level.

oslevel -s format

The Hardware to Software Map reports do not display the YYWW information.

Base, Recommended and Latest Levels

For the newer servers, the report will show 3 levels of information for each Technology Level of each release. Older servers and older operating system releases will have only limited information.

Base Level - The minimum AIX operating system level that is supported at the time the machine type model was announced. While this level is supported, it may not be in-service. If IBM is not providing corrective service at the level and you wish to receive defect support, you should move up to the recommended level. If you only need how-to support, you can opt to stay at the base level though you will not be able to take advantage of newer hardware or software enhancements.

Recommended Level - IBM periodically reviews the currently supported levels and publishes the recommended level that IBM views is the most stable for the majority of the install base. Numerous factors are considered when making this decision including how long the package as been released, how many critical problems are fixed by it, and how long until this level goes out of service.

Latest Level - This is the latest fix package available from IBM. If a Technology Level is the latest, then the entry will be the TL because no Service Pack has been released yet.

Additional Information

The third section of the report provides links to further information that may be helpful to the user of this map.

You may wish to know when a fix package was released and gain a general idea of when it will go out of service. You can find this information at Fix Central.

You may be looking for specific device support on a particular machine type model. You can find that information at the IBM Prerequisite site.

You may be wanting to make a decision on the purchase of a Software or Hardware Maintenance Agreement and need more information about service extensions or end of life information for a release.