Automatic ordering of PTF groups

You can set up your system to automatically download selected PTF groups by using service attributes.

To enable this support, specify *YES for the Order PTFs automatically (ORDPTFAUTO) parameter on the Change Service Attributes (CHGSRVA) command. This attribute schedules the QORDPTFGRP job to automatically order PTF groups at midnight the start of each month. The frequency, scheduled day, and scheduled time of job QORDPTFGRP can be changed with the Change Job Schedule Entry (CHGJOBSCDE) command. The Send PTF Order (SNDPTFORD) command is used to order the latest level of the PTF groups when the scheduled job is run. The PTF groups are downloaded as save files and the list of PTF groups to order are retrieved from the Order PTF groups (ORDPTFGRP) service attribute.

Note: PTF groups can only be ordered automatically if the universal connection is configured. Use the Send Service Request (SNDSRVRQS) command with ACTION(*TEST) to verify the communications link to the remote service support system. For information about the Universal Connection, see Setting up a connection to IBM.

Use the Display Service Attributes (DSPSRVA) command to display the Order PTF groups (ORDPTFGRP) value to indicate which PTF groups to order automatically. The default for Order PTF groups is *CUMPKG and *ALLGRP. These values download the latest level of the cumulative PTF package and the latest level of all PTF groups that are applicable to your partition. You can change the list of PTF groups that are ordered by specifying a list of PTF groups for the Order PTF groups (ORDPTFGRP) parameter on the Change Service Attributes (CHGSRVA) command.

Each time the QORDPTFGRP job runs to order PTF groups, the PTFs and their requisites are downloaded as save files. PTFs that are already loaded, applied, or on order are not reordered. Also, PTFs in the requested PTF groups are ordered only if the PTF product is installed or supported. PTF groups that were ordered are updated to the latest available level on your partition.

To disable this support, specify *NO for the Order PTFs automatically (ORDPTFAUTO) parameter on the Change Service Attributes (CHGSRVA) command. If the QORDPTFGRP job is scheduled to order PTF groups, it is removed.

To install the PTFs that were automatically downloaded, see Installing fixes received as save files.