Ordering fixes using the Send PTF Order command
Use the Send PTF Order (SNDPTFORD) command to order...
- individual fixes
- multiple fixes
- PTF groups
- PTF summary
- cover letters
Use over the electronic customer support configuration that uses either an SNA connection or TCP/IP connectivity through universal connection.
To use Universal Connection, the Remote control point parameter must be set to *IBMSRV.
Parent topic:
Ordering fixesRelated concepts
Configure Universal Connection Using other features of Work with Management CentralRelated information
Set User Policy (QPDETPOL) API Retrieve Policy Data (QPDETRTV) API
Fixes and information you can order with the SNDPTFORD command
You can use the SNDPTFORD command to order a variety of fixes and related information. The following table shows how to use the SNDPTFORD command to order the different types of fixes and fix information. You might want to print and use this table as a reference when you order fixes.
- Separate or accompanying cover letters
- Individual fixes
- Multiple fixes
- Cumulative PTF packages
- PTF groups
- PTF summary
- Cross-reference summary list
- Preventive service planning tips
Fix information Command Specific fixes and cover letters SNDPTFORD nnnnnnn1 Fix cover letter only SNDPTFORD nnnnnnn1 PTFPART(*CVRLTR) Cumulative PTF packages SNDPTFORD SF99vrm2 or SNDPTFORD *CUMPKG3 PTF group SNDPTFORD SF99nnn4 PTF summary list SNDPTFORD SF97vrm2 Fix cross-reference summary list VRM520 to VRM530 SNDPTFORD SF97081 VRM520 to VRM540 SNDPTFORD SF97082 Licensed Internal Code V5R3M0 to Licensed Internal Code V5R3M55 SNDPTFORD SF97061 VRM530 to VRM5406 SNDPTFORD SF97085 PSP information for licensed programs SNDPTFORD SF98vrm2 PSP information for Licensed Internal Code and hardware devices SNDPTFORD MF98vrm2 1 nnnnnn is the fix identifier. You can order up to 20 fixes at a time.
2 v is the version, r is the release, and m is the modification level of the system. For version 5 release 4 modification 0, type 540.
3 When *CUMPKG is specified, the latest level of the cumulative PTF package for the release of the operating system that is installed on the system is ordered.
4 nnn is the fix identifier, which can be any number.
5 This fix cross-reference summary lists contains only PTFs for Licensed Internal Code. For operating system and licensed program PTFs, refer to the operating system cross-reference summary list that corresponds to the release of your operating system.
6This includes Licensed Internal Code V5R3M5 to VRM540.
Using the Send PTF Order command
When you use the Send PTF Order (SNDPTFORD) command, the following process takes place:
- From the i5/OS command interface, enter the SNDPTFORD nnnnnnn command, where nnnnnnn is the number of the individual fix you want to order. If you are using Management Central to manage your fixes, you may want to use the SNDPTFORD command from the system that you will use as your source system when you compare and update fix levels.
- To process your PTF order in batch, use the Submit Job (SBMJOB) command. For example, you can specify the SNDPTFORD command for the CMD parameter.
- Your order is then sent to IBM where the decision is made whether to distribute the fixes electronically or on media. If the fix files are too large to be delivered electronically, they are delivered on media.
- The PTFs are sent electronically or put on media. If the fixes are placed on media, the media is packaged and the order is sent to the user.
- When fixes are delivered electronically on your service support communications line, you have the option to receive the fixes either as save files or as optical image files. The type of file is determined by what you specify on the Delivery format (DLVRYFMT) parameter. Save files are placed in library QGPL. In most cases, the save file name is the fix identifier prefixed with a Q. For example, the save file for fix identifier SInnnnn is QSInnnnn. Optical image files contain PTFs and cover letters and are stored in the directory specified by the Image directory (IMGDIR) parameter.
DLVRYFMT(*IMAGE) is supported only when your system is configured to use a Universal Connection.
To order a cumulative PTF package with the SNDPTFORD command, do the following:
- Type either SNDPTFORD *CUMPKG or SNDPTFORD SF99VRM, where VRM is the version, release, and modification level of your licensed program. For example, for version 5 release 4 modification 0, type SNDPTFORD SF99540.
- Verify the shipping information on the Verify Contact Information display. If any of the information is incorrect, change it and press Enter.
- Select option 1 (Send service request now) on the Select Reporting Option display. This places the fix order.
Specifying media for shipping a fix
You can specify the media for any fixes that will be shipped instead of delivered electronically by doing the following:
- On any command line, type WRKCNTINF.
- Press Enter. The Work with Support Contact Information display appears.
- Select Option 2.
- Press Enter. The Work with Local Service Information display appears.
- Select Option 2.
- Press Enter. The Change service contact information display appears.
- Page down to the last display.
- Specify the fix medium type.
- Press Enter.
The WRKCNTINF command is used in conjunction with the DELIVERY parameter on the SNDPTFORD command. If you specify DELIVERY(*ANY), fixes are sent by any available method. If you specify DELIVERY(*LINKONLY), you may not receive your order if the size of your fixes exceeds the transmit limit of the service link.
Additional considerations when ordering fixes
Keep theses points in mind when using the SNDPTFORD command.
- When you order a fix that has been replaced (superseded) with another fix, you receive the ordered fix, not the replacement fix. To identify fixes that have been replaced (superseded), consult the fix summary list.
- When you order a fix for a product that is installed on your system, you will receive the ordered fix and its requisite fixes.
- If you order a fix for a product that is not installed on your system, you will receive only the fix that you ordered. If you use the Display Program Temporary fix (DSPPTF) command on the fix you just ordered, you will receive the following message: PTF 5722xxx-SIxxxxx is not found. This message means that the fix is for a release of the product that is not installed on your system. Contact your service provider for the correct fix number. To avoid this situation, you can add support for a product.
- Use the Set User Policy (QPDETPOL) and Retrieve Policy Data (QPDETRTV) APIs to set and retrieve the maximum PTF order size. This policy is used only when your system is configured to use a Universal Connection.
- If you specify *SAVF delivery format and the corresponding save file is already on the system, a PTF is not reordered.
- PTFs that are too large for the service link are sent on the selected medium when delivery method (DELIVERY) is *ANY. If the PTFs are too large to use service link only (*LINKONLY), the command fails.
For information on ordering PTFs through IBM® Technical Support, see Ordering fixes using the Internet.