Tab navigation
- Overview - selected tab,
- Server maintenance
- Work with fixes
The following are commonly used fix terms that are found throughout IBM's fix information, applications, and web pages.
Terms
An Authorized Program Analysis Report (APAR) is a problem report specific to an IBM program and release, that has an associated fix. APARs can be viewed in the APAR database.
Cumulative PTF packages are the primary method of performing preventive maintenance for specific releases of the IBM i operating systems and IBM licensed programs. This type of fix package contains fixes generally recommended by IBM and is updated on a periodic basis.
Cumulative PTF packages are labeled according to the date they are released, and operating system software version. For example, Cumulative PTF package C0220710 can be broken down as follows.
- 0 represents the Year (2010).
- 229 represents the day of the year.
- 710 represents the IBM i version 7.1.
The following types of firmware (Licensed Internal Code) fixes are available.
- Server firmware is the code that enables hardware, such as the service processor.
- Power subsystem firmware is the code that enables the power subsystem hardware in the 57x and 59x model servers.
- I/O adapter and device firmware is the code that enables hardware such as Ethernet PCI adapters or disk drives.
For information on ordering firmware fixes, see Recommended fixes.
Cover letters provide information about the fixes that they accompany. They explain the contents of a fix, what problem the fix resolves, what special instructions are associated with the fix, and what prerequisites or corequisites must also be installed on your system for the fix to function properly.
For more information on how to view and work with cover letters, see Fix cover letters.
Fixes are changes to your software, Licensed Internal Code, or machine code that fix known problems, add new function, and keep your server or Hardware Management Console operating efficiently. Fixes can consist of documentation updates, code updates, or both.
Software fixes are also commonly called Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs).
A Group PTF, also known as a PTF Group, is a single PTF that contains multiple PTFs for a specific function, such as database, Java, or HIPER fixes. When new fixes become available for a function, Group PTFs are dynamically updated.
To browse current Group fixes, see the Preventive Service Planning - PSP database and select the All Group PTFs by Release view.
For additional information, refer to PTF Groups.
Hardware Management Console (HMC) fixes are updates or changes to the machine code of the HMC.
The HMC is a dedicated workstation that runs integrated system management software. The HMC manages hardware tasks and configures logical partitions on managed IBM Power systems. It also acts as a focal point for hardware detection and reporting.
The HMC interface can be used to install and manage your HMC machine code and server firmware fixes. IBM recommends that you install HMC machine code fixes before installing server firmware fixes so the HMC is current and can handle fixes or new function updates that you apply to the server.
Use the following links for additional information and instructions:
- Updating, upgrading, and migrating your HMC machine code
- Installing fixes on systems managed by Hardware Management Console
- Hardware Management Console information
High impact or pervasive (HIPER) fixes are single PTFs that resolve a problem that may have a high impact on the operations of your server, or a low-impact pervasive problem that affects most iSeries servers.
Licensed programs (LPs) are IBM licensed programs such as IBM HTTP Server and WebSphere Application Server.
A marker PTF is a way to identify what level of Group PTF package is applied to your system. Because the set of PTFs for the same SF99xxx Group PTF number may potentially be different each time you order the PTF, a marker PTF is included with the Group PTF.
For additional information on how to use marker PTFs, see the FAQ answer for How do I determine which Group PTF or PTF Group package is installed.
Program temporary fixes (PTFs) are also referred to as fixes. A PTF is temporary only in the sense that it disappears with the next release of the product, when the code patch is integrated into the base product code.
PTFs can be downloaded through IBM's Fix Central and applied to the server or can be managed through the HMC.
A PTF Group, also known as a Group PTF, is a single PTF that contains multiple PTFs for a specific function, such as database, Java, or HIPER fixes. When new fixes become available for a function, PTF Groups are dynamically updated.
To browse current PTF Groups, see the Preventive Service Planning - PSP database and select the All Group PTFs by Release view.
Recommended fixes are the set of fixes which the Rochester IBM Support Center recommends you apply to your server, in addition to the Cumulative PTF package, the HIPER Group PTF, and the Database Group PTF.
Separate recommendations are provided for each supported release for specific products or functions.
- IBM i Access
- System i
- Domino
- Electronic Service Agent
- HMC code updates
- Logical Partitions (LPAR)
- TCP/IP
- and many more
See Recommended fixes for the latest fixes and ordering information.
Fixes for server firmware are updates or changes to the licensed internal code on your System i server.
Server firmware is the licensed internal code that enables hardware, such as the service processor. server firmware fixes can be ordered using Fix Central.
For ordering information, see Recommended fixes.
A service pack is a collection of code fixes (not PTFs) for a specific product.
For more information on service pack types and how to download and work with service packs, see the following information.
A superseded fix is a PTF that has been included in a newer PTF along with additional fixes or updates.
If a PTF was temporarily applied on your server and you install a superseding PTF, the original PTF is automatically permanently applied to the server, and the new PTF is used.