Ordering fixes using the Send PTF Order command

If you prefer the IBM® i command interface, use the Send PTF Order (SNDPTFORD) command to order individual fixes, multiple fixes, PTF groups, a PTF summary, or cover letters.

The SNDPTFORD command is used primarily to order and receive IBM-supplied fixes (or program temporary fixes, PTFs) for the IBM i environment and IBM-supplied applications. You can use this command over the electronic customer support configuration that uses either an SNA connection or TCP/IP connectivity through Universal Connection.
Note: To use Universal Connection, the Remote control point parameter must be set to *IBMSRV. For information about Universal Connection, see Setting up a connection to IBM.
Parent topic: Ordering fixes
Related concepts:
Using other features of Work with Management Central
Related information:
Set User Policy (QPDETPOL) API
Retrieve Policy Data (QPDETRTV) API

Fixes and information you can order with the SNDPTFORD command

You can use the SNDPTFORD command to order the following types of fixes and related information.

  • Separate or accompanying cover letters
  • Individual fixes
  • Multiple fixes
  • Cumulative PTF packages
  • PTF groups
  • PTF summary
  • Cross-reference summary list
  • Preventive service planning tips

Table 1 shows how to use the SNDPTFORD command to order the different types of fixes and fix information. You might want to print and use this table as a reference when you order fixes.

Table 1. Types of fix information and corresponding Send PTF Order command
Fix information Command
Specific fixes and cover letters SNDPTFORD nnnnnnn1
Fix cover letter only SNDPTFORD nnnnnnn1 PTFPART(*CVRLTR)
Cumulative PTF packages SNDPTFORD SF99vrm2 or SNDPTFORD *CUMPKG3
PTF group

SNDPTFORD SF99nnn4
   or one of these:
SNDPTFORD *HIPERGRP
SNDPTFORD *DB2GRP
SNDPTFORD *BRSGRP
SNDPTFORD *HTTPGRP
SNDPTFORD *JVAGRP
SNDPTFORD *PFRGRP
PTF summary list SNDPTFORD SF97vrm2
Fix cross-reference summary list V5R4M0 to V7R1M0 SNDPTFORD SF97055
V5R4M0-V5R4M5 to V7R1M0 SNDPTFORD SF97050
V6R1M0 to V7R1M0 SNDPTFORD SF97043
V6R1M0-V6R1M1 to V7R1M0 SNDPTFORD SF97040
PSP information for licensed programs SNDPTFORD SF98vrm2
PSP information for Licensed Internal Code and hardware devices SNDPTFORD MF98vrm2
Notes:

1 nnnnnn is the fix identifier. You can order up to 20 fixes at a time.

2 v is the version, r is the release, and m is the modification level of the system. For version 7 release 1 modification 0, type 710.

3 When *CUMPKG is specified, the latest level of the cumulative PTF package for the release of the operating system that is installed on the system is ordered.

4 nnn is the fix identifier, which can be any number.

Using the Send PTF Order command

When you use the Send PTF Order (SNDPTFORD) command, the following process takes place:
  1. From the IBM i command interface, enter the SNDPTFORD nnnnnnn command, where nnnnnnn is the number of the individual fix you want to order. If you are using Management Central to manage your fixes, you may want to use the SNDPTFORD command from the system that you will use as your source system when you compare and update fix levels.
  2. To process your PTF order in batch, use the Submit Job (SBMJOB) command. For example, you can specify the SNDPTFORD command for the CMD parameter.
  3. Your order is then sent to IBM where the decision is made whether to distribute the fixes electronically or on media. If the fix files are too large to be delivered electronically, they are delivered on media.
  4. The PTFs are sent electronically or put on media. If the fixes are placed on media, the media is packaged and the order is sent to the user.
  5. When fixes are delivered electronically on your service support communications line, you have the option to receive the fixes either as save files or as optical image files. The type of file is determined by what you specify on the Delivery format (DLVRYFMT) parameter. Save files are placed 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 SInnnnn is QSInnnnn. Optical image files contain PTFs and cover letters and are stored in the directory specified by the Image directory (IMGDIR) parameter.
    Note: DLVRYFMT(*IMAGE) is supported only when your system is configured to use a Universal Connection.

To order a cumulative PTF package with the SNDPTFORD command, do the following:

  1. Type either SNDPTFORD *CUMPKG or SNDPTFORD SF99VRM, where VRM is the version, release, and modification level of your licensed program. For example, for version 6 release 1 modification 0, type SNDPTFORD SF99610.
  2. Verify the shipping information on the Verify Contact Information display. If any of the information is incorrect, change it and press Enter.
  3. Select option 1 (Send service request now) on the Select Reporting Option display. This places the fix order.

Specifying media for shipping a fix

You can specify the media for any fixes that will be shipped instead of delivered electronically by doing the following:
  1. On any command line, type WRKCNTINF.
  2. Press Enter. The Work with Support Contact Information display appears.
  3. Select Option 2.
  4. Press Enter. The Work with Local Service Information display appears.
  5. Select Option 2.
  6. Press Enter. The Change service contact information display appears.
  7. Page down to the last display.
  8. Specify the fix medium type.
  9. Press Enter.

The WRKCNTINF command is used in conjunction with the DELIVERY parameter on the SNDPTFORD command. If you specify DELIVERY(*ANY), fixes are sent by any available method. If you specify DELIVERY(*LINKONLY), you may not receive your order if the size of your fixes exceeds the transmit limit of the service link.

Additional considerations when ordering fixes

Keep theses points in mind when using the SNDPTFORD command.

  • When you order a fix that has been replaced (superseded) with another fix, you receive the ordered fix, not the replacement fix. To identify fixes that have been replaced (superseded), consult the fix summary list.
  • When you order a fix for a product that is installed on your system, you will receive the ordered fix and its requisite fixes.
  • If you order a fix for a product that is not installed on your system, you will receive only the fix that you ordered. If you use the Display Program Temporary fix (DSPPTF) command on the fix you just ordered, you will receive the following message: PTF 5770xxx-SIxxxxx is not found. This message means that the fix is for a release of the product that is not installed on your system. Contact your service provider for the correct fix number. To avoid this situation, you can add support for a product.
  • Use the Set User Policy (QPDETPOL) and Retrieve Policy Data (QPDETRTV) APIs to set and retrieve the maximum PTF order size. This policy is used only when your system is configured to use a Universal Connection.
  • If you specify *SAVF delivery format and the corresponding save file is already on the system, a PTF is not reordered.
  • PTFs that are too large for the service link are sent on the selected medium when delivery method (DELIVERY) is *ANY. If the PTFs are too large to use service link only (*LINKONLY), the command fails.

For information about ordering PTFs through IBM Support, see Ordering fixes using the Internet.