Using software fixes

 

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IBM issues program temporary fixes (PTFs) to correct problems.

Multiple fixes are bundled together to form a cumulative PTF package. Cumulative PTF packages should be installed quarterly in dynamic environments, and less frequently in stable ones. Cumulative PTF packages should also be considered when you make major hardware or software changes to your environment.

iSeries Navigator includes Management Central which provides wizards that allow one to install fixes on multiple systems and compare model systems to multiple target systems to find missing or extra fixes.

The life cycle of a fix...

1. Report a problem or perform maintenance.

   You may have occasion to report a hardware or software problem, which can result in a PTF being created to fix your problem. Typically, as part of your preventive maintenance strategy, you will identify fixes that are needed to keep your business running smoothly.

2. Order.

   As part of your normal fix strategy, you will order fixes to keep your software current. Once you have identified which fixes you need, the next task is to order them.

3. Receive fixes.

   After you order them, you receive the fixes either electronically or on media.

4. Install.

   When you receive the fixes, you can install them.

5. Redistribute (optional).

   If you received them on media and you want to distribute the fixes, you need to copy your save files from media before you can send and install the fixes to target systems.

 

Content

1. Fixes concepts and terms
   

   Use this information to learn about i5/OS software fixes, which includes the fixes that are available to you, how to find out about current fixes, and what a fix status means.

2. Planning your fix management strategy

   Use this information to establish a maintenance strategy to reduce the impact to i5/OS operations that result from unplanned outages or program failures.

3. Determining which interface to use

   The system offers you many ways to connect to and communicate with the systems in your i5/OS environment, and different methods exist to perform the tasks related to managing your fixes. To perform these tasks, you need to know whether it is best to use the character-based interface or iSeries Navigator.

4. Ordering fixes

   A variety of methods such as traditional CL commands, electronic support, or Web downloads can be used to order fixes for your individual i5/OS business environment.

5. Installing fixes

   Use this topic to find applicable scenario information about installing i5/OS fixes and then follow the steps required to install the fixes successfully.

6. Displaying fixes information on your system

   This topic describes what each fix status and inventory means in your i5/OS environment.

7. Working with fix cover letters

   Fix cover letters provide information about the i5/OS fixes that they accompany.

8. Cleaning up fixes

   If you are running out of storage space on your system, it might be time to delete your save files and cover letters for i5/OS fixes.

9. Removing software fixes

   This topic summarizes when i5/OS, Licensed Internal Code, or licensed program fixes can be removed from your system.

    

   Parent topic:
   Maintaining and managing i5/OS and related software
   Related tasks
   Analyzing and reporting system problems