Re: Shutting Down prior to moving iSeries

[Larry Bolhuis <lbolhuis@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Frankly I would reconsider IBM for the move.

When they move it they:
   Assure that everything is working now.
   Assure that all system level cables (i.e. HSL, SPCN, Console and 
such) are properly labeled)
   Remove and pack those cables.

   Let the movers do their thing.

   Be with you at the new site when the system arrives.
   Re-connect the system level cables.
   Make sure everything comes up. If they need parts they are already 
there to order them.

So. Do these fail much? No.  I have seen CEs pulling their hair out for 
hours though. I've seen a system nearly go off a stairway (within 6 
inches!).  I've seen a system get most of the way up a ramp and a mover 
slip and down it went, coasting over 50 feet before they got it whoad 
up.. I've had the movers go the wrong way (south instead of north!)  
I've seen one arrive with a fork lift fork shaped hole in the box right 
into the system unit.  I've seen one arrive with a smashed control panel 
(Mr Fork lift again)  I saw a trucker get her foot ridden over on the 
way to her truck! The system was loaded and ready to go. She went to the 
hospital with a badly sprained foot while IBM got a replacement truck 
for the move. If it can go wrong, it likely will.

Of course most of them I've seen take the ride and come right up as if 
nothing ever happened. They are pretty robust.

It does matter how much time you have of course. If you can wait for 
them to show up and have the battle with the movers over who's fault it 
is then you are OK.

In any case it's your call all the way around, but you get what you pay 
for.....

 - Larry

Norbut, Jim wrote:
> Hi All,
>  
> We are going to be moving our 9406 next month to a new location
> and have all the plans set as far as moving it to the new spot about 30
> miles away.
> Movers/Insurance all taken care of.
>  
> IBM was more than willing to help us.....and we were intrigued until
> they said how much it "potentially" would cost :) We figured the
> figure they quoted us was the "low end".
>  
> We have 24/7 Coverage on the iSeries....so if something decides to not
> spin up
> or something "breaks" we can just call if/when it comes to that on the
> Friday night/Saturday when we turn it back on.
>  
> I called up IBM inquiring about any special shutdown procedures we
> should be aware
> of prior to the move but they said other than due diligence there is no
> real checklist to follow.
>  
> There is no need to worry about parking the drive heads or anything like
> that with these
> machines like you used to have to worry about.
>  
> So that seems to me to say:
>  
> A) Do a full backup (potentially 2) and keep the backup(s) with me.
> B) Do the PWRDWNSYS command with no startup
> C) Label all the cables (where they go.....where they came from)
>  
> Does anybody have any other suggestions ?