IBM i release interoperability

A system interoperates with another system when you exchange data or when you save and restore objects. Review the supported combinations of IBM® i releases.

Interoperability is the ability of one system to exchange data or objects with another system. The exchange can be performed electronically or by physical media (such as tape). Either system can initiate the exchange.

A system also interoperates with another system when it saves and restores objects.

If you have several systems in a network, they must be at compatible releases. This is necessary if objects and data are to be interchanged between systems. You can use option 10 (Display licensed programs) on the Work with Licensed Programs menu (type GO LICPGM) to see the installed release of your licensed programs.

The source system (the system that sends the information) and the target system (the system that receives the information) must be within the supported releases.

To be interoperable, objects must be saved by specifying either a specific release or *PRV for the value of the target release (TGTRLS) parameter.

You can save and restore licensed programs just like other objects as long as the release is compatible with the operating system release. Licensed program releases and sizes contains more information about compatible releases of licensed programs.

For more information about supported combinations of IBM i releases or saving objects to a system that is running a previous release, see the Release-to-release support topic.