Updating the client to a new release

Use these instructions to update the client to a new release by using IBM® Installation Manager or the Eclipse p2 provisioning platform. To update the client, you must use the same method that you used to install it. If you need to migrate a workspace to the new version of the client, see the instructions in Migrating workspaces to a new version.

Verifying update version compatibility

Use this table to see which releases can be updated to a new release. For any combination that cannot be updated, you must uninstall and reinstall the product, or install it to a new package group or folder. For information about client-server compatibility, see IBM Developer for z/OS® client-server compatibility. If you encounter errors updating the client, see the troubleshooting articles in the related information at the bottom of this page.

Table 1. Matrix of compatible client version updates
Installed Version Can Be Updated To
14.1.x 14.2.x 15.0.x 16.0.x
14.1.x (Aqua 3.1)   Yes1 No No
14.2.x (Aqua 3.1)   Yes No No
15.0 (Aqua 3.2)     Yes2 No
16.0.0 (Aqua 3.3)       Yes2,3
16.0.1 (Aqua 3.3)       Yes2,4,5
16.0.2 (Aqua 3.3)       Yes6
  1. IBM Installation Manager only.
  2. macOS: Update by Eclipse p2 unavailable. See Error updating an Eclipse p2 installation on macOS.
  3. Update by IBM Installation Manager unavailable.
  4. For update by IBM Installation Manager, see Updating, modifying, or installing products into a Developer for z/OS software package results in Installation Manager errors.
  5. macOS: Update by IBM Installation Manager unavailable.
  6. Starting with version 16.0.3, update by Eclipse p2 is a two-part process: 1. update the client code and 2. install critical patches.

Obtaining the target client version

The Aqua repositories and update sites for the target client versions are located at these addresses. If you need to add them to Installation Manager or Eclipse, you can copy them here.
Version 14.x (Aqua 3.1)
https://public.dhe.ibm.com/ibmdl/export/pub/software/htp/zos/tools/aqua3.1/
(link)
Version 15.0.x (Aqua 3.2)
https://public.dhe.ibm.com/ibmdl/export/pub/software/htp/zos/tools/aqua3.2/
(link)
Version 16.0.x (Aqua 3.3)
https://public.dhe.ibm.com/ibmdl/export/pub/software/htp/zos/tools/aqua3.3/
(link)

Updating by using IBM Installation Manager

If you need to update Installation Manager, see the instructions in Updating Installation Manager.
Tip: If you experience difficulty when you update IBM Installation Manager, try adding this update repository site to the Installation Manager Preferences.
https://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/rationalsdp/v7/im/updates/

This procedure assumes you previously installed the client on your computer by using IBM Installation Manager.

  1. Open IBM Installation Manager.
  2. If necessary, copy and paste the target version repository to Preferences. For instructions, see Repository preferences.
  3. Click Update and select the package group for the client version you want to update.
  4. Click Next.IBM Installation Manager gathers update information for the target version.
  5. Select the target version and click Next.IBM Installation Manager guides you through the installation and prompts you to accept the trial license agreement and select features to install.
  6. Select installation options and click Update. The client update takes several minutes.
  7. When the installation is complete, click Finish to close IBM Installation Manager.
Tip: If you experience problems, see Updating, modifying, or installing products into a Developer for z/OS software package results in Installation Manager errors.

Updating by using Eclipse p2

This procedure assumes that you previously installed the client on your computer by using the Eclipse p2 provisioning platform.

Important: Starting with version 16.0.3, update by Eclipse p2 is a two-part process:
  1. Update the client code.
  2. Install critical patches.

1. Updating the client code

  1. Start the IBM Developer for z/OS client.
  2. If necessary, copy and paste the target version Aqua update site to the Eclipse Available Software Sites preference page. For instructions, see Adding a new software site.
    Tip: The Aqua update site address must contain the prefix https:// instead of http://. To edit the prefix, use the Available Software Sites preference page. For more information about working with update sites, see Working with the Available Software sites.
    Editing an update site address
  3. Click Help > Check for Updates.The product checks the Aqua update site for available updates, and then opens the Available Updates window. This process might take several minutes.
    Trouble: If you check for updates and receive messages similar to the following, then you might need to edit the address of the Aqua update site to correct the prefix.
    Unable to connect to repository error message

    To correct this error, click the available software sites link in the Information window, select the Aqua update site in the Preferences window, and then click Edit to change the update site address prefix.

  4. On the Available Updates window, click Select All, and then click Next.
    Available Updates
  5. Review your selections, and then click Next.
  6. Review the licenses, click I accept the terms of the license agreements, and then click Finish.
    1. If prompted with a security warning, click Install anyway.
    2. If prompted for trusted certificates, click Select All, and then click Trust Selected.
      Trusted Certificates
    The product installs the updates and then prompts you to restart. This process might take a few minutes.
    Restart prompt
  7. Click Restart Now.
    Note: If you update a P2 installation of v16.0.x into which you imported a Db2® for z/OS client license, you might be prompted to restart the product again.
  8. To verify the new product version, click Help > About IBM Developer for z/OS
    About IBM Developer for z/OS

2. Installing critical patches (Version 16.0.3 and later)

Do these steps after the client code is updated and the product is restarted.

  1. Click Help > Install New Software .
  2. From the Work with list on the Available Software window, select the URL for the Aqua update site or the local update repository. For the Aqua update site URL, see Obtaining the target client version.
  3. In the Name window, select IBM Developer for z/OS and click Next. The Install Details window opens. It displays the critical patches required for installation.
  4. Click Finish.
  5. If prompted for trusted certificates, click Select All, and then click Trust Selected. The product installs the patches and then prompts you to restart. This process might take a few minutes.
  6. Click Restart Now. The product restarts.