IBM Tivoli Workload Automation Migration from Solaris to AIX platform with version upgrade from TWS 8.3 to TWS 8.4. This project was planned due to technical refresh, where OS platforms are refreshed and TWS version upgrade is combined to become a big project. This is done across globally where Europe, India and US regions were part of it.
Introduction to client: Client belongs to banking industry and they are exclusive customers of IBM. So we have been using all kind of Tivoli products for the entire enterprise that supports applications like connect direct, MQ, databases and other applications related to banking.
Migration and upgrade strategies:
Bottom to Top approach: Where all TWS agents(Windows, Solaris, AIX) were upgraded to TWS 8.4 versions after pilot being done. Next domain managers are upgraded to TWS 8.4 version and finally Master server upgraded.
Parallel vs direct upgrade : Due to the reason that tech refresh was planned and the impact of bringing down the application, Parallel upgrade approach is chosen.
Cut over:
After agents are installed with TWS 8.4 agent code parallel, domain managers upgraded to TWS 8.4, a new TWS master 8.4 server is ready and made part of the TWS network. After FINAL has run for the day, switch over command issued to switch over to the new Master.
Tada - Entire network is in new Master with TWS 8.4.
Now precautions, make sure, firewall, networks, ports are open, users are created properly and have a propoer backout plan.
Closure: TWS network is on TWS 8.4 version.
The issues I faced was the network issues, but we have made necessary arrangements that we have fixed it through bridge call and so impact was less.
