Problem in going from AIX 5.3 TL6 to TL7

I have updated the TL levels in a step upgrade from TL4-TL6 (oslevel -r --> 5300-06) without any issues.
However when I try to install TL7, it fails on package dependencies. It seems that TL7 may have introduced some major device enhancements, so how do I update from TL6 to TL7?
I have the "Automatically install requisite software?" set to yes. and to "Accept new license agreements?" to yes also.

Help...I need to update due to DB2 Version 9 requirements.

What is it failing on? Please provide details on the failures.

looks like it was failing on a 5.3.7.0 vdevices rte package. So after finding the vdevices rte package, and selected TL6, its another 1.6gb download to update the vdevices section for Tl6 (actually installs 5.3.7.x packages for TL6). So its another hour or so for downloads and updates.

output from instfix
>># instfix -i | grep ML
All filesets for 5.3.0.0_AIX_ML were found.
All filesets for 5300-01_AIX_ML were found.
All filesets for 5300-02_AIX_ML were found.
All filesets for 5300-03_AIX_ML were found.
All filesets for 5300-04_AIX_ML were found.
All filesets for 5300-05_AIX_ML were found.
All filesets for 5300-06_AIX_ML were found.
Not all filesets for 5300-07_AIX_ML were found.
Not all filesets for 5300-08_AIX_ML were found.
Not all filesets for 5300-09_AIX_ML were found.
Not all filesets for 5300-10_AIX_ML were found.

>> Well it still fails the update. Now I get build date errors...see sample..

               BUILDDATE Verification ...

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Verifying build dates...
installp: The build date requisite check failed for fileset bos.rte.lvm.
Installed fileset build date of 0846 is more recent than the selected fileset build date of 0844.

>>Dont understand why it says the Below information.

Superseded Fileset Updates
--------------------------
Fileset updates listed in this section will not be installed. Newer
updates which supersede (replace) these were selected instead (either by
you or automatically by the installation program). Make sure that the
superseding updates listed passed pre-installation verification.

X11.base.rte 5.3.7.0 (Superseded by 5.3.7.4)
X11.base.rte 5.3.7.1 (Superseded by 5.3.7.4)
X11.base.rte 5.3.7.3 (Superseded by 5.3.7.4)
bos.64bit 5.3.7.0 (Superseded by 5.3.7.5)
bos.64bit 5.3.7.4 (Superseded by 5.3.7.5)
bos.acct 5.3.7.0 (Superseded by 5.3.7.6)

---------- Post updated at 06:38 PM ---------- Previous update was at 05:41 PM ----------

apparently previous attempts were made to install the higher TL levels. I figured it out by just install the latest Service Pack for the TL Level I need to go beyond TL6, at least I hope thats all i need do. Will see after reboot.

---------- Post updated at 06:50 PM ---------- Previous update was at 06:38 PM ----------

>>Well that didnt work...unfortunately my AIX package skills are nil...been too long. Not sure what I need to do now. I see the problem,,but dont understand how to get the 5.4.7.X upreved packages to be the main packages. That should put the TL to 7 once that is done.

Hi,

it's not required to update step by step.
If you have problems updating filesets. One way is to use the original aix 5.3TL10 dvd's, select the fileset and use option overwrite to install that filesets. This should bring you to a stable oslevel

regards

well, it seems that the TL7 requires base file set devices.vdevice.IBM.v-scsci-host.rte 5.3.7.0 and devices.vtdev.scsi.rte 5.3.7.0, but when I go to install those, I get the Build date errors. Go figure...

Found the Problem!!!!!

it is a IBM bug (in mine and consultants opinion).
When IBM Changed formats from ML to TL, they tagged each TL fix with a build date.
devices.vdevice.IBM.v-scsi-host.rte.5.3.7.084 --> 084 is the build date as seen as 8th month 4th week of the year.

So you install TL8
devices.vdevice.IBM.v-scsi-host.rte.5.3.8.0744 --> 7th month 44th week of the year...
It will FAIL!!!! because the TL install routine looks at the Build Date fields.

Here is document to verify...Page 5.

So the resolution is Download the TL8 and then Download the latest SP of the TL level and that should be newer than the TL7/SP10 (at this writing) versions or remove the newer versions!!!!

Have a wonderful WEEK!!!!