RE: Anybody got a copy of level 42 of PTF group 99701?

I remember Dr. Frank was giving a speech somewhere maybe 15-20 years ago. He was joking about the difference between i and AIX customers. Said something like "AIX customers download the latest release. i customers wait until the new release and upgrade to the one previous."

There was some truth to that back then. Far less truth nowadays. I'd be more worried about what could happen if you don't patch your systems regularly.

Steve Pitcher
iTech Solutions
Office: (203) 744-7854 Ext. 176
Mobile: (902) 301-0810
http://www.itechsol.com
http://www.iInTheCloud.com


-----Original Message-----
From: MIDRANGE-L [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Rob Berendt
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 11:48 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Anybody got a copy of level 42 of PTF group 99701?

I've never understood this logic.

Sure, someone can explain it as level 43 is too new and maybe not enough people have it on and have found any new bugs it may have introduced.
But level 43 came out in September, 9/7/17.
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas4SF99701
But if it were a bad bug they would have reissued 99701 and there would be a level 44 by now. If really bad, there have been several HIPER groups since then so it should be covered. The last hiper group was less than a week ago.
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas4SF99709

The only thing then you gain by staying a level behind is loss.
- You lose all the fixes to bugs created by level 42 (and earlier) which were fixed in level 43.
- The new enhancements in level 43. Actually I don't think there were any new enhancements, only fixes. Which should be a good thing to this client. Verified at https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/wikis/home?lang=en#!/wiki/IBM%20i%20Technology%20Updates/page/DB2%20for%20IBM%20i%202017%20Group%20PTF%20Schedule
and
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/wikis/home?lang=en#!/wiki/IBM%20i%20Technology%20Updates/page/DB2%20for%20i%20Functional%20Enhancements

Note: Cover letter for SF99701-43 says there would be a new group out after that in 2017 (see link above). There hasn't been. And we're almost into the last month of 7.1 so there may never be a level 44. Even though Dirty Harry might think a 44 would be a good thing for 7.1.

Why 43 may be the end of the road:
<snip>
No new SF99701 levels are planned
</snip>
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/wikis/home?lang=en#!/wiki/IBM%20i%20Technology%20Updates/page/Db2%20for%20IBM%20i%202018%20Group%20PTF%20Schedule



Rob Berendt
--
IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 6.1 Group Dekko Dept 1600 Mail to: 2505 Dekko Drive
Garrett, IN 46738
Ship to: Dock 108
6928N 400E
Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com





From: "Paul Nelson" <nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'Midrange Systems Technical Discussion'"
<midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 03/27/2018 10:01 AM
Subject: Anybody got a copy of level 42 of PTF group 99701?
Sent by: "MIDRANGE-L" <midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx>



IBM is at level 43, and my client is afraid to be that current.

Paul Nelson
Cell 708-670-6978
Office 409-267-4027
nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx