International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Sambasiva Rao Madamanchi
Abstract: University of Illinois, Springfield, UISThe migration from proprietary operating systems such as IBM's AIX to open-source alternatives like Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is an increasingly strategic path for modern enterprises seeking agility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. This transition is driven by factors such as declining AIX vendor support, high operational costs, and the expanding ecosystem of Linux. Migrating to RHEL delivers long-term benefits including reduced total cost of ownership, enhanced security, modernized infrastructure, and access to a thriving open-source community. However, such migrations involve detailed assessment, planning, and execution to address technical and business challenges specific to AIX workloads. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the migration journey starting from critical infrastructure analysis, application compatibility, risk assessment, strategic planning, to migration implementation. It also highlights both the hurdles and best practices needed for successful re-platforming from the proprietary UNIX environment of AIX to the open, standardized landscape of RHEL. Ultimately, this transformation not only reduces dependence on proprietary systems but also fosters modernization and innovation in enterprise IT ecosystems.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17189669
