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Pre-Upgrade Checklist

FLRT verifies firmware and software compatibility

The IBM Fix Level Recommendation Tool (FLRT) is a Web-based application that provides minimum recommended fix levels for your Power Systems environment. You can use this tool to help ensure your planned software and firmware upgrades will result in a supported environment. FLRT accepts version level inputs for the following components:

Server firmware
Hardware Management Console (HMC)
Disk systems
PowerVM software
PowerHA software
High-performance computing software

FLRT is the most efficient way to ensure you’ll have a fully supported Power Systems environment. The alternative is to review the many read-me files for each version of HMC code, system firmware updates and system software, which can be a very time-consuming and error-prone process.

It’s recommended you run FLRT every time you’re planning to apply an update. FLRT should be run early in your planning process to help identify any incompatibilities that need to be addressed and included in your plans. Failure to use FLRT prior to an upgrade can result in extended outage windows or inability to complete an upgrade. For example, as you begin a 1 a.m. system outage for a firmware update you might discover you need to update your HMC to a new level. The time required to update the HMC level might result in an overrun outage window or lack of time to complete the firmware update.

FLRT can also be used to help you with long-term planning for HMC, system firmware and VIOS updates. Gaining an early understanding of the relationship between these elements, you can establish upgrade plans that maximize the length of time between required upgrades.

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