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Installing APARs or PTFs for z/OS virtual server instances

Your z/OS virtual server instance is capable to be refreshed with an update that is provided for an Authorized Program Analysis Report (APAR) or Program Temporary Fix (PTF). An update for an APAR is a temporary fix that is created for individual customers. PTFs can be used to correct related experienced problems or to avoid possible problems even if you have not experienced the related problems.

How to apply service to your z/OS virtual server instance depends on how you acquire your instance.

  • If you obtain your z/OS virtual server instance from Wazi Image Builder in your own z/OS system environment, you can service the custom image by installing necessary APARs or PTFs on the source system with standard on-premises procedures. Then, you need to rebuild the custom image by using Wazi Image Builder and create a new z/OS virtual server instance.

  • If you obtain your z/OS virtual server instance from the IBM-provided dev and test stock image, you can select one of the following approaches:

    • The IBM-provided z/OS stock image is updated each month with all the currently available PTFs. You can wait for next month’s stock image to create a new z/OS virtual server instance.

    • If you need corrective service for your z/OS dev and test stock image and do not want to wait until the next refresh, you can install the APAR or PTF by yourself.

      You need to do the acquisition of the APAR or PTF yourself through another supported service channel if you have one. If you only have the license for the z/OS dev and test stock image, you cannot acquire the latest PTFs.

After you have acquired necessary updates, you can use System Modification Program Extended (SMP/E) or IBM z/OS Management Facility (z/OSMF) Software Update to install APARs or PTFs by yourself.

Updating your z/OS virtual server instance with individual fixes

Individual z/OS components or middleware products might need to be restarted if indicated by the ++HOLD information for the maintenance that is being installed. It is also suggested that you make a backup before you install any maintenance. Any maintenance that updates core z/OS system libraries (SYS1.LINKLIB, SYS1.LPALIB, SYS1.MIGLIB, and other standard system libraries) must not be installed on a live system unless ++HOLD information provides specific instructions.

You can complete the following instructions to apply the APAR or PTF for the z/OS dev and test stock image:

  1. To transfer the APAR or PTF, you can use the following settings:

    //TERSE    JOB CLASS=A,MSGCLASS=H,MSGLEVEL=(1,1),NOTIFY=&SYSUID.,  
    //         REGION=4M                                               
    //STEP1    EXEC PGM=AMATERSE,PARM=PACK                             
    //SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*                                             
    //SYSUT1   DD DISP=OLD,DSN=IBMUSER.UJ90039                         
    //SYSUT2   DD DISP=(NEW,CATLG),DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=1024,BLKSIZE=0),
    //            DSN=IBMUSER.UJ90039.TRS,                             
    //            SPACE=(CYL,(1000,1),RLSE),UNIT=3390,VOL=SER=STG001  
    
  2. To upload the APAR or PTF to the z/OS virtual server instance, you can use the following settings through sftp:

    sftp ibmuser@<vsi ip address>
    put UA#####.TRS /u/ibmuser/UA#####.TRS
    
  3. To unterse the APAR or PTF on your z/OS virtual server instance, you can use the following settings:

    //UNTERSE  JOB CLASS=A,MSGCLASS=H,MSGLEVEL=(1,1),NOTIFY=&SYSUID.,
    //         REGION=0M                                             
    //ALLOC    EXEC PGM=IEFBR14                                      
    //DD1      DD DSN=IBMUSER.UA#####.TRS,                           
    //         DISP=(NEW,CATLG),UNIT=SYSDA,                          
    //         SPACE=(CYL,(100,1)),                                  
    //         DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=1024,BLKSIZE=27648)               
    //*                                                              
    //OGET     EXEC PGM=IKJEFT01                                     
    //SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*                                           
    //SYSTSPRT DD SYSOUT=*                                           
    //SYSTSIN  DD *                                                  
      OGET '/u/ibmuser/UA#####.TRS' 'IBMUSER.UA#####.TRS' BINARY
    /*                                                           
    //UNTERSE  EXEC PGM=AMATERSE,PARM=UNPACK                     
    //SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*                                    
    //SYSUT1   DD DISP=OLD,DSN=IBMUSER.UA#####.TRS            
    //SYSUT2   DD DISP=(NEW,CATLG),DSN=IBMUSER.UJ90039,            
    //         UNIT=SYSDA,VOL=SER=STGVS1,                            
    //         SPACE=(CYL,(1000,1),RLSE) 
    
  4. Then, you can follow the standard on-premises processes to install the APAR or PTF. You can select one of the following approaches: