Why Do Software Development Companies Need to Upgrade to IBM AIX 7.3?

Did you know that there are about 600,000 new businesses in the United States each year? However, many of these businesses tend to fail within the first few years. As you might expect, part of operating a successful company includes investing in effective business strategies.

This is especially true for software development companies.

Upgrading to IBM AIX 7.3 is something every entrepreneur should prioritize, but not everyone knows where to start. We’ve created a brief guide that outlines all of the key factors you need to know about.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this version of IBM AIX.

So, What Is IBM AIX 7.3?

IBM AIX 7.3 is the latest release of IBM’s industry-leading UNIX operating system. This new release includes many features and enhancements that are designed to improve the efficiency and productivity of software development companies.

As you might guess, one of the main reasons why software development companies need to upgrade to IBM AIX 7.3 is because of the new features and enhancements that are included in this release.

What Features Does It Offer?

Some of the most notable features that are included in IBM AIX 7.3 include enhanced performance and scalability. This release also includes new capabilities for managing virtualization and cloud environments.

Additionally, security has been significantly improved in this release. In context, these features and enhancements make IBM AIX 7.3 an ideal platform for software development companies who want to take their operations to the next level.

How Can Software Companies Benefit from Upgrading?

Software development companies can benefit from upgrading to IBM AIX 7.3 in many ways.

First of all, the enhanced performance and scalability can help software developers to get more work done in less time. Additionally, the new capabilities for managing virtualization and cloud environments can help software development companies to save money on infrastructure costs.

Finally, improved security can help to protect software development companies from potential cyber threats.

What Are the Upgrade Requirements?

 In order to upgrade to IBM AIX 7.3, software development companies will need to have an existing installation of AIX 7.2. Additionally, they will need to have a supported version of the IBM Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed on their system.

Otherwise, they may encounter compatibility issues.

Is There Anything That This Version Removes?

Yes, IBM AIX 7.3 removes support for the Berkeley DB database engine, the System V IPC message queues, and the System V IPC semaphores.

It also removes support for the IBM HTTP Server 1.3. Keep this in mind when moving forward.

How Do You Upgrade?

Upgrading to IBM AIX 7.3 is a fairly straightforward process. Software development companies will need to download the IBM AIX 7.3 Upgrade Packages from the IBM website.

Next, they will need to unzip these packages and then run the “InstallUpgrade” script that is included in each package. Afterward, they will need to reboot their system in order to complete the upgrade process.

What Happens if You Skip This Version?

If software development companies choose to skip this release, they will miss out on all of the new features and enhancements that are included in IBM AIX 7.3. They may also find that their existing applications will no longer work properly on the new release.

For these reasons, it is highly recommended that software development companies upgrade to IBM AIX 7.3 as soon as possible.

How Can AIX 7.3 Benefit the Average Programmer?

In terms of helping programmers themselves, AIX 7.3 provides several features that can be of great assistance.

For example, the System p Application Binary Interface (ABI) has been updated to provide better compatibility with popular programming languages such as C++.

Additionally, the new release includes support for the Open-Source License Exception, which allows programmers to use certain 545open-source software libraries without having to worry about license compatibility issues. This can go a long way in helping programmers to create more reliable and efficient software.

As previously mentioned, improved security is also included in AIX 7.3, which can help to protect the software that programmers create from issues they would’ve otherwise encountered.

This is important to keep in mind, as the cybercrime industry is projected to be worth over $10 trillion by the end of 2029.

How Long Will Version 7.3 Be Relevant?

IBM has not announced an end-of-support date for AIX 7.3 at this time.

However, it is generally safe to assume that a new release will be made available every 3-5 years. As such, software development companies can expect to be able to use IBM AIX 7.3 for the foreseeable future. This is important info to keep in mind for those who are on the fence about upgrading to it.

Should I Work With a Professional When Upgrading?

While it is technically possible for software development companies to upgrade to IBM AIX 7.3 on their own, it is generally recommended that they work with a professional in order to ensure a smooth transition. This is especially true if the company in question does not have extensive experience working with AIX.

Working with a professional can help to avoid any potential problems that may arise during the upgrade process. Additionally, it can help to ensure that the company’s applications will continue to work properly on the new release.

Software Development Companies Shouldn’t Overlook This Upgrade

 Although many software development companies might be on the fence at first, upgrading can be one of the best decisions that you can make for your business. Keep the above tips in mind when moving forward so you can avoid mistakes.

Feel free to reach out AS400/IBM i Developers today to learn more about how we can help.