ibm db2 9.7 to AWS RDS IBM 11.5

When we use Db2 native backup and rdsadmin.restore_database stored procedure provided by RDS for Db2 to restore the backup image, RDS for Db2 uses native Db2 restore command under the covers.

https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/db2/11.5?topic=commands-restore-database

As per this link , restore command supports backup images for Db2 version 11.5, 10.5 and 11.1. If a database upgrade is needed, it is started automatically at the end of the restore operation.

Restoring a database dump from IBM DB2 version 9.7 directly to a newer version like IBM DB2 11.5 involves several considerations due to potential compatibility issues between different major versions. Here are the steps and recommendations for handling this process:

Compatibility and Migration

1. Direct Compatibility: IBM typically supports direct upgrade paths within close version increments. Jumping from 9.7 directly to 11.5 may introduce compatibility issues due to changes in database engine behavior, features, and system catalogs.
2. Backup and Restore Compatibility: Directly restoring a backup from an older version like 9.7 to a newer version like 11.5 is generally not supported. IBM DB2 expects the backup and restore versions to be the same to prevent issues related to system catalog formats and other internals.

Recommended Approach

1. Version Upgrade Path: To successfully migrate your data, consider following a step-wise upgrade path. First, upgrade your 9.7 database to a supported intermediate version that is directly compatible with 11.5. Commonly, you would upgrade from 9.7 to 10.1 or 10.5, and then from there to 11.5.
2. Export and Import Method:

• Export: Use the db2look utility to extract the DDL (Data Definition Language) statements from your current 9.7 database and the db2move utility to export the data.
• Import: On the IBM DB2 11.5 system, use the DDL extracted with db2look to create the schema and db2move to import the data. This ensures that any incompatible features are addressed during the schema recreation.

3. Testing and Validation: Before completing the migration, thoroughly test the imported database on DB2 11.5 to ensure all functionalities work as expected and performance is stable.
4. Using IBM Data Studio or IBM Database Conversion Workbench: These tools can help in migrating databases by providing assistance in handling differences between versions and simplifying the export/import process.

Considerations for AWS RDS

• Access Limitations: Depending on your setup with AWS RDS, you might have limited access to underlying server functionalities, which might restrict direct execution of some utilities like db2move.
• Using RDS Tools and Documentation: Check AWS documentation for any specific tools or integrated services that facilitate database migration, especially for managed services like RDS.

Final Steps

• Documentation Review: Review IBM's documentation for migration between versions to understand any specific adjustments or considerations that must be made.
• Backup: Always ensure you have a reliable backup before starting the upgrade or migration process.

Following these guidelines will help you effectively migrate your IBM DB2 database from an older version to a newer one while minimizing potential issues related to compatibility and data integrity.