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A good fix maintenance strategy is an important part of maintaining and managing your server. Regular maintenance of your server, and application of the latest fixes help to maximize server performance, and may reduce the impact of problems if they arise.
Build your strategy
Building your fix maintenance strategy begins with the type of server environment you have. For example, environments that change or have problems frequently require more frequent maintenance.
Depending on which type of environment you have, IBM recommends different maintenance strategies to keep your server running at optimal performance.
Scenario A is IBM's base recommendation for a fix maintenance strategy. Scenarios B and C are tailored towards specific environment characteristics that may be more similar to your server environment.
Scenario A - base recommendations
IBM recommends the following as a basic fix maintenance strategy for all Power systems.
- Apply the Cumulative PTF package quarterly.
- Apply HIPER, DB2 Group, and server firmware fixes monthly.
- Sign up for My notifications and begin receiving automatic notification whenever new or updated fixes become available.
- For preventive maintenance monitor the following.
- Review HIPER and server firmware fixes weekly.
- Review LPs, Recommended fixes, and other Group fixes weekly.
Scenario B
Problems occur quarterly or less often
Recommended maintenance schedule
In this scenario, the server environment experiences moderate changes several times per year and may encounter problems several times per year as well. For this type of environment, consider the following as a base fix maintenance strategy.
- Apply the Cumulative PTF package, HIPER, DB2 Group and Server Firmware fixes quarterly.
- Sign up for My notifications and begin receiving automatic notification whenever new or updated fixes become available.
- For preventative maintenance monitor the following.
- Review HIPER fixes monthly.
- Review LPs, Recommended fixes, and other Group fixes monthly.
- Review server firmware fixes monthly.
Scenario C
Problems occur semi-annually or less often
Recommended maintenance schedule
The environment in this scenario is rarely changed and experiences problems very infrequently, therefore requiring less maintenance overall. Consider the following as a base fix maintenance strategy for this type of environment.
- Apply the Cumulative PTF package, HIPER, DB2 Group and Server Firmware fixes semi-annually.
- Sign up for My notifications and begin receiving automatic notification whenever new or updated fixes become available.
- Review HIPER fixes monthly.
- Review LPs, Recommended fixes, and other Group fixes monthly.
- Review server firmware fixes monthly.
Additional maintenance
IBM recommends that you monitor the following fixes as a preventive step between your normal maintenance activities.
- Cumulative PTFs
- PTF Groups
- HIPERs
- Individual PTFs
- Service packs
- Firmware fixes
Certain types of fix updates may be important for you to download and apply to your server, even if it is outside your routine maintenance schedule. For example, if you receive a notification from System i Subscription Service that a PTF has been marked defective or has been superseded, the PTF may be currently installed on your server.
Taking action sooner than later will help prevent potential problems with your daily server operations.
Additional resources
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Document Information
Modified date:
01 February 2021
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nas8N1022056