Re: Applying updates to IBM i

We have taken a different approach since our security auditor said we had to update every month. Step 1: the last week of the month we check the current group PTF levels on the IBM site and log the level numbers for each in a new column on our Group spreadsheet. Step 2: we call IBM and read off all the updated groups (included a CUM last month). Step 3: we receive DVDs in 2-3 days and manually load them into an image catalog on one partition (this is the most time consuming step - about 15 minutes). Step 4: we run a script that duplicates the image catalog on five other partitions automatically. Step 5: we change a startup data area to "PTF" and enter a Go Save 21 to run at 1:00am the first Saturday of the month. Step 6: after the backup finishes later Sat morning, the system runs our version of QSTRUP which marks all temporary PTFs to be applied permanently, IPLs the system to do this, then loads the new groups from the image catalog and IPLs again, changes the data area back to 'Normal', then cleans up the image catalog. All this happens unattended early Saturday morning while we are asleep.

This procedure is the most automated and by far the least time consuming on our part. We love it.

Phil

On Dec 18, 2015, at 7:11 PM, Ira Chandler <ira@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

We have settled on using FixCentral and downloading from the IBM site to a
server here, and then generating DVDs ourselves. That has been the most
reliable method over the years. Just did a 7.2 box with 8 DVDs and three or
four reboots.

Just remember that the DVD names (xxxx.BIN) will not match the PTF IDs, so
when it asks for specific PTFs, don't confuse the xxxxxx _N number with the
DVD xxxxxx_N number.

We also rename the IBM *.bin files to *.iso and Windoze will burn them
directly.

Ira Chandler
Curbstone Corporation
Technical Services - 888-844-8533
https://curbstone.com/email_disclaimer


-----Original Message-----
From: MIDRANGE-L [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Aaron
Bartell
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2015 10:52 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Applying updates to IBM i

I am forcing myself to step further into IBM i admin responsibilities so I
can have a better understanding. My next step is learning how to apply
updates (CUM, PTF, etc). I've done it before, but it is like once ever
couple years. I started looking at SNDPTFORD as it relates to a specific
PTF I wanted to install (for Node.js) but then realized maybe I should just
do *CUMPKG and I would get the PTF in there (based on my CUM understanding).
And after I pondered that I realized I need a high level overview of how
best to approach keeping an IBM i up to date.

Does anybody have such a resource to point me at? I've found many bits and
pieces here and there, but nothing that gives a high level overview and best
practices.

Thanks,
Aaron Bartell
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