How to upgrade AIX from version 5.3 to version 6.1

• Ensure you do a full system backup and ensure that you create a mksysb before upgrading AIX.
• Check if the hardware microcode is up to date - see the microcode update document on this web site.
• Ensure all hardware including external devices are connected and powered on.
• Check for any existing faults on the server using the command errpt -a and fix as required.
• Ensure that there is enough free disk space available.
• On the server you want to upgrade check what disk rootvg is installed on.
To do this type lsvg -p rootvg. In this case I found rootvg to be installed on hdisk0.
• Check that the CDROM drive is listed in the bootlist before the hard disk by typing bootlist -m normal -o
If the CD drive is not listed before the hard disk i.e. hdisk0 cd0, then change the boot order by typing bootlist -m normal cd0 hdisk0.
• It is advisable to reboot the server before updating it to ensure that if the server fails to reboot the cause can be more easily determined and not attributed to the update process.
To reboot the server shutdown any applications and then type shutdown -Fr.
• Also run lppchk -v, this will check to see if all the currently installed software is correctly entered in the Software Vital Product Database (SWVPD) and that all filesets have all the required requisites and are completely installed.

Upgrading

Put the AIX 6.1 base operating system CD or DVD into the CD/DVD drive
The console for this upgrade was a dumb vt100 type terminal, the display may be slightly different for a graphical display
Reboot the server type shutdown -Fr
The server should boot off the media in the CD/DVD drive and a screen should display some selectable options as follows
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1 = SMS menu    5 = Default bootlist
8 = Open Firmware   6 = Stored bootlist

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Ignore these for now and the installation should continue
The next screen should display
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Starting Software
Please wait

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Next screen
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Please define the System Console
Type a 1 and press Enter to use this terminal as the system console

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Type 1 and press enter
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1. Type 1 and press Enter to have English during install
>>>choice[1]:

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Again type 1 and press enter
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Welcome to Base Operating System Installation and Maintenance
Type the number of your choice and press Enter. Choice is indicated by >>>
>>>1. Start Install now with Default Settings
   2. Change/show Installation Settings and Install
   3. Start Maintenance Mode for System Recovery
   4. Configure Network Disks (iSCSI)
   88 Help?
   99 Previous Menu
   Choice[1]: 2

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Type 2 and press enter to change the installation settings
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Installation and Settings
Either type 0 and press Enter to install with current settings 
or type the number of the setting you want to change and press Enter
1. System Settings:
   Method of Installation ......................Migration
   Disk where you want to Install ..............hdisk0    
2. Primary Language Environment settings (AFTER Install):
   Cultural Conventions ........................English (United States)
   Language ....................................English (United States)
   Keyboard ....................................English (United States)
   Keyboard Type ...............................Default
3. Security Model...............................Default
4. More Options (Software install options)
>>> 0 Install with the current settings listed above
88 Help?
99 Previous Menu
>>> Choice[0]:

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Change the "Method of Installation" to "Migration" if not already selected
Ensure that the "Disk where you want to Install" is set to the correct disk
Change the "Cultural Conventions", "Language" and "Keyboard" to your prefered location
Type 4 and press enter for "More Options (Software install options)"
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Install Options
1. Enable System Backup to install any system....Yes
2. Import User Volume Groups.....................Yes
3. Remove Java 1.1.8 Software....................No
>>> 0 Install with the current settings listed above
88 Help?
99 Previous Menu
>>> Choice[0]:

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Check the values for the fields are as listed above and then press enter to accept the default value of 0 "Install with the current settings listed above
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Migration Installation Summary
Disks: hdisk0
Cultural Convention: en_GB
Language: en_US
Keyboard: en_GB
Import User Volume Groups: Yes
Enable System Backup to install any system: Yes
Remove Java 1.1.8 Software: No
>>> 1 Continue with Install
88 Help?
99 Previous Menu
>>> Choice[1]:

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Check the fields if all the values as correct then press enter to accept the default value 1 "Continue with Install
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Migration menu preparation
Please wait
Approximate   Elapsed time
% task complete   (in minutes)

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Next screen
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Migration Confirmation
Either type 0 and press Enter to continue the installation 
or type the number of your choice and press Enter
1. List the saved Base System Configuration files which will not be merged into the system
   These files are saved in /tmp/bos
2. List the filesets which will be removed and not replaced
3. List directories which will have all current contents removed
4. Reboot without migrating
Acceptance of license agreements is required before using system. 
You will be prompted to accept after the system reboots
>>> 0 Continue with the migration
WARNING: Selected files, directories and filesets (installable options) 
from the Base System will be removed. 
Choose 2 or 3 for more information
88 Help?
99 Previous Menu
>>> Choice[0]:

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Have a look at each menu option then type 0 and press enter to "Continue with the migration"
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Saving system configuration files in /tmp/bos
Removing obsolete filesets, directories and files
Installing Base Operating System
Please wait
Approximate   Elapsed time
% task complete   (in minutes)

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The installation should continue and eventually finish and present a login screen

Login and check the version of AIX by typing oslevel -s
And that's it. You may want to apply the latest Technology Level and Fix Pack now. See the relevant procedure on this website.