General note on DST and keeping up to date

Hello,

Here is an update to the post I made back in December of 2006 on the topic
of daylight saving time changes.

The official place to look is still the main i5/OS DST page.
It is located here:
http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries/software/globalization/dst.html

I have revised this page to make the DST information for i5/OS easier to
understand.
I have also updated this page with a workaround for i5/OS if  you do not
have the opportunity to install these PTFs.

Below I have included the text of a letter Duane Miller, our System i
Quality and Client Satisfaction Executive, sent out this week to System i
customers about the general topic of DST.

Pat

                      Pat Glenski
     IBM i5/OS  Globalization Architect,


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear IBM System i administrator:

Thank you for being a valued IBM System i client.  System i is an IT
industry leader in client satisfaction and reliability, and we're committed
to working with you to achieve even higher levels of both.

One of the most important steps you can take to maximize the reliability of
your system is to take advantage of the updates and fixes available.  Even
if your system and application set are running perfectly, there may be
updates that can provide increased system availability and help you avoid
problems before they occur.  I'm writing to make you aware of some
important information regarding your System i.

Daylight Saving Time
As you may be aware, beginning in this year, Daylight Saving Time (DST)
starts the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November.
This is the first change in 20 years and will affect most of the United
States, Canada, Bermuda, and any other location that has time/date
dependent transactions, applications or support services with those
countries.

Please follow the links below to ensure you've taken the necessary steps
for an uneventful transition to the new DST start and stop dates:
 - For overall information, please check the following link:
http://www.ibm.com/support/alerts/us/en/
 - For up-to-date information for i5/OS, please check the following link:
http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries/software/globalization/dst.html
 - If you use a Hardware Management Console (HMC) to manage your system,
you'll also need to ensure your HMC code is at the proper level:
https://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/hmc/timezone.html

Key System Firmware Information  (If you are using a Model 595, 570, 550,
or 520)
The single most important step you can take to keep your System i running
at peak performance is to update your full system firmware levels to the
latest available.  These later release levels have incorporated numerous
reliability and serviceability enhancements.  Even if your system is
functioning flawlessly today, upgrading to the latest firmware level may
enable you avoid a future issue.  Release SF 240_284 of the firmware is now
available.  Upgrading to the latest level of firmware provides numerous
reliability and serviceability enhancements.
- For help in understanding your current firmware level and the recommended
level for your system, please follow this link:
http://www-912.ibm.com/s_dir/slkbase.nsf/recommendedfixes
--  Under the "Recommended for specific products or functions" section,
open the "Select a topic" drop-down menu.
--  Choose "Server Firmware and HMC Wizard."
--  Click "Go."
- As of March 31, 2007, firmware levels "SF 230_xxx" and "SF 235_xxx" will
no longer have service pack support provided.  After that date, if a new
fix is required for the those firmware levels, you'll need to upgrade to
the "SF 240_xxx" level of firmware.  Once your system is at the "240"
level, quarterly firmware service packs can be applied concurrently,
enabling you to benefit from most fixes and enhancements without having to
IPL your system.

Duane Miller