Guide to fixes

When you order V5R1 or later Cumulative PTF packages, you receive both HIPER and Database PTFs.

For more detailed information, see Cumulative PTF packaging.

Back to top

Fixes may now include a flag that can be used to identify fixes associated with specific OS/400 and Licensed Internal Code functional categories.

Some of the categories include:

• Security
• Performance
• Install
• Save/Restore
• Print
• Database

To see the list of categories for your release:

1. Go to the Preventive Service Planning - PSP database.
2. Select the All Preventive Service Planning Documents by Release view.
3. Click on your release.
4. You will find the categories listed within the document.

Back to top

IBM lists PTF information in the Preventive Service Planning -PSP database. Browse our database for the information you need.

Back to top

To determine the status of the fixes for products that are installed and supported on your system:

1. Enter the Display PTF (DSPPTF) command and press F4 (Prompt).
2. Specify the licensed program number (for example: 5722SS1). If you want to see the status for all the products on the system, specify *ALL for both parameters and press the Enter key until all the licensed programs are displayed.
3. The Display Program Temporary Fix display shows the status of all fixes installed on system.

Back to top

Starting in V5R3, use the Work with PTF Groups (WRKPTFGRP) command. On the WRKPTFGRP screen, you should find the PTF group named SF99vrm, where "vrm" corresponds to the release of your operating system. The level of the PTF group corresponds to the 5-digit cumulative PTF package date.

You can also use the Display PTF (DSPPTF) command. For example, on V5R1, use the following command:

DSPPTF LICPGM(5722SS1)

After executing DSPPTF, you will see the Display PTF Status screen. Cumulative PTF package identifiers begin with the letters TC. The first entry beginning with these letters and shows a status indicating the package has been applied is your current Cumulative PTF level.

Following the TC prefix is a five-digit number representing the Cumulative package's date. The first two digits indicate the year, and the last three digits indicate the Julian Date excluding the year.

For example: on a V5R1 system, Fix TC02134 would represent Cumulative Fix package C2134510. On V5R2, Fix TC02211 represents Cumulative Fix package C2211520.

Back to top

Follow the steps listed directly above to determine which Cumulative package is installed.

Compare the number (for example, C2211520) with the package number shown for the Cumulative PTF package in the Preventive Service Planning information document.

To locate the Preventive Service Planning information:

1. Refer to the Preventive Service Planning - PSP database.
2. Select All Preventive Service Planning Documents by Release.
3. Select your release (for example: R520 for release V5R2).
4. Select the Current Cumulative PTF Package for your release (for example: "SF98520: Current Cumulative PTF Package").
5. The latest Cumulative PTF package is listed near the top of the information (for example: "The latest cumulative package for Version 5 Release 2.0 is: C2211520").

If the package numbers are identical, you have the latest Cumulative PTF package. If the package numbers are different, you have an older version of the Cumulative PTF package.

Note: In order for the above instructions to work correctly, you must have followed the PTF installation instructions when you applied the Cumulative package, and not omitted any of the additional PTFs in the package.

Back to top

On releases prior to V5R2, display the data area for the marker PTF. To find out what the marker PTF is and how to display the data area for the marker PTF for the Group PTF:

1. Refer to the Preventive Service Planning - PSP database.
2. Select "All Group PTFs by Release".
3. Click on your release (for example R510 for release V5R1).
4. Select the Group PTF of interest, for example, SF99501: 510 DB2 UDB for iSeries.
5. The marker PTF and the command for displaying the data area are both listed near the top of the information.

Note: HIPER Group PTFs do not have marker PTFs.

Beginning with V5R2, handling PTF Groups is built into i5/OS, replacing marker PTFs and their data areas. The WRKPTFGRP command will display what PTF Groups are on the system and the level for each PTF Group. Refer to PTF Groups in the iSeries Information Center for additional information.

Back to top

Use Fix Central to search for, order, and download fixes for your server.

Back to top

To order individual fixes, use the following command.

SNDPTFORD PTFID(nnnnnnn)

Where nnnnnnn is the number of the individual fix you want to order. You can order up to 20 fixes at a time.

When you receive fixes electronically on your service support communications line, they are placed in a save file 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 SFnnnnn is QSFnnnnn.

Back to top

To order a Cumulative PTF package electronically:

1. Identify your licensed program release level:
   1. Type GO LICPGM on any command line and press the Enter key.
   2. Select option 10 (Display installed licensed programs) on the Work with Licensed Programs display.
   3. Press the F11 key. The current version, release, and modification level is shown in the Installed Release column where V is the version, R is the release, and M is the modification level.
2. Type SNDPTFORD SF99VRM, where VRM is the version, release, and modification level you found in step 1.
   For example, for Version 5 Release 2 Modification 0, type SNDPTFORD SF99520
3. Verify the shipping information on the Verify Contact Information display. If any of the information is incorrect, change it and press the Enter key.
4. Select option 1 (Send service request now) on the Select Reporting Option display. This places the PTF order.

Back to top

PTFs may have dependencies on other PTFs. There are two different types of dependencies: prerequisites and corequisites. The prerequisite and corequisite PTFs are sent along with the PTFs you order to ensure you are able to load and apply the ordered PTFs.

Back to top

Detailed instructions for installing fixes on your server are available by release level in the IBM Systems Information Center.

• Install i5/OS V6R1 fixes
• Install i5/OS V5R4 fixes
• Install i5/OS V5R3 fixes
• Install OS/400 V5R2 fixes

Back to top

• Select a product

• Getting fixes
• Recommended fixes
• Preventive Service Planning database
• Service, support and troubleshooting