How to Check Your IBM i OS Version and Why a Third Party Should Help
July 9, 2025
Lightedge
Author
Managing mission critical IBM Power infrastructure can be a challenge, whether managing systems day to day, completing an OS update, or even planning the first steps of a modernization or migration project. For organizations running mission critical applications on an IBM i framework, the most common first question we encounter is, “What IBM i OS version are we on?” This is common because the sysadmin who originally set up the system has likely retired, and now a new team is managing an inherited system.
As many of us are cautious when it comes to updating our systems and software, such as phones, laptops, browsers, etc., so are many businesses. The difference between the two is that changes to personal tech can be a slight inconvenience, while updates and upgrades to business critical systems can spell disaster when they don’t run smoothly.
However, it is essential to complete OS upgrades and ensure that your IBM i OS is up to date. Checking your current version is the first step in any update or upgrade. As updates and rollouts get more complicated with each new release, there’s a more distinct case for leveraging a third party to manage them.
The New IBM i OS Offers Security Improvements and More
On Friday, April 18, IBM i 7.6 arrived. With any new release comes questions, and many leaders in this space have shared their answers from The Incredible i Show podcast to IT Jungle, and IBM’s Scott Forstie, who shared several resources on the new release, available below:
This latest release was the first new release of the operating system in three years. Highlights included security focused improvements as well as native multifactor authentication (MFA). From healthcare to FinServ, retail, and more, MFA is largely regarded as a basic security requirement to prevent unauthorized access to company data and systems.
IBM i OS Version and PTFs
For IBM i, many updates come in packages known as Program Temporary Fix (PTFs). A PTF is a software patch for the operating system. These patches provide short-term solution for an IBM i operating system until the release of the next version.
A few years ago, IBM began to slow the pace of full OS upgrade releases, so many of the fixes and updates to systems running IBM i are now completed via PTFs. This is another reason why it’s vitally important to upgrade to the newest OS version when it becomes available.
How to Check Your IBM i OS Version
Which version of IBM i that a system is running can be checked through the IBM i Command Line:
- GO LICPGM – One straightforward way to check the IBM i version is to use the GO LICPGM command. Choose option 10, and then press F11. This will display all installed licensed programs, including IBM i.
- DSPSFWRSC – Some admins have reported that using GO LICPGM misreports licenses on some programs. Thus, many authors have advised using DSPSFWRSC instead. DSPSFWRSC displays all software resources installed, along with their software version. Simply type the command and then press F11.
Updating Your IBM i
If your organization owns your IBM i hardware and you prefer doing an IBM i OS upgrade yourself, the standard steps to complete the upgrade are below:
- Validate all 3rd party applications. You want to ensure all these applications will run on the OS version that you’re upgrading to.
- Run a full backup of your system/environment. This should include full images with data and architecture.
- Set up an image catalog. It will save time doing this instead of using a stack of DVDs (for instance).
- Verify the license keys. Ensure these are stored in an accessible place, just in case.
- Add any relevant PTFs. Some PTFs might need to be added before proceeding with an upgrade or migration.
- Upgrade the HMC (machine code) first, then upgrade the FSP firmware and the IBM i software itself and microcode.
- Verify the install. Be sure to use QSYSOPR for important messages.
- Run a post system save to back up the new OS at a minimum. Run some key programs to ensure their stability.
Staggering upgrades is also recommended. For example, start with one or two pilot machines, upgrade, and test. Work out any issues before rolling out to other machines.
The Disadvantages of Performing System Upgrades Yourself
The steps listed above can be much more complex and involved than that list might show. If you have a dedicated IT team to carry out the upgrade, they should have the experience to complete this seamlessly.
However, more and more internal IT teams encounter skill shortages when it comes to IBM i expertise due to shrinking talent pools. When those changes happen, oftentimes IT departments choose to commit fewer resources to more routine tasks like upgrades. Add in any potential errors, and you have a recipe for delays, mistakes, and even possible downtime.
We’ve often had clients approach our company with just these worries, asking things like:
- My sysadmin is about to retire. Can you help?
- We think something went wrong with our most recent IBM i upgrade. Can you help us revert back?
- We’re due for a hardware refresh, but our budget is limited. Can our applications be migrated to the cloud?
If you’re considering an upgrade or migration, this is the ideal time to bring on a third party to manage the change. More often than not, you’ll save internal team resources while also minimizing downtime and potential disruption.
IBM i and AIX Managed Services Support
You might also want to consider remote IBM i administration and monitoring. With remote administration, a third party provides full administration responsibility for your environment, including OS management, upgrades, and backup and restore processes. The result is increased reliability, lower downtime, and improved disaster recovery (DR).
It can be hard to find the right replacement or IBM i and AIX talent, and maintaining the performance and availability of legacy systems is more important than ever. Supporting that mission critical IBM Power infrastructure is a challenge, but Lightedge managed services can help.
Our proactive monitoring and end-to-end administration help manage your system health, optimize performance, and provide detailed reporting to keep you informed. From OS updates and applying PTFs to job scheduling and database management, Lightedge ensures your IBM i and AIX environments stay current, secure, and performant.
