Re: V5R3 Upgrade - time needed

That old of HMC code to newer code should be fun!

A cume not only covers LIC and i5/OS but it also covers most all LPP's. 
However, cumes get dated - fast.  You should look at:
http://www-912.ibm.com/s_dir/sline003.NSF/GroupPTFs?OpenView&Start=1&Count=30&Expand=1#1
See also WRKPTFGRP.

If ECS is not working, how's about Fix Central?
http://www-912.ibm.com/eserver/support/fixes/fcgui.jsp

You may want to WRKCNTINF
2. Work with local service information
And make sure that information is current first.

As to whether or not 12 hours is sufficient I don't know if you're trying 
to backup 16TB of data to pathetic DVD, or, 160GB to screaming 3582's. 
Basically, your save time may vary.

And here's the sweet spot.  Here is where you can significantly reduce 
their downtime window.  Load the cumes, groups, etc while the machine is 
running.  That's right.  Do a GO PTF, 8. Install program temporary fix 
package, and tell it NOT to IPL now.  IPL later after doing the kicking 
everyone off and doing the save.  Do it ALL the time here.

It may take you longer to upgrade the HMC than to do the save and IPL.

You mentioned upgrading their HMC.  You mentioned upgrading Cume's. 
However you did NOT mention upgrading their Firmware.  When do you plan on 
doing that?  You WILL have to upgrade HMC prior to upgrading firmware. And 
since you are using an HMC I doubt if a cume apply will upgrade firmware. 
Firmware is i5's version of the old controlling partition.

Rob Berendt