Guide to fixes - Keep your server current

Fixes provide changes to your software, Licensed Internal Code, or machine code that fix known problems, add new function, and keep your server or Hardware Management Console operating efficiently. Keeping your server current with the latest fixes helps ensure your server performance is at its best and helps to minimize potential problems.

IBM recommends that all servers be kept on a supported release and current with latest available fix packages, such as the following.

• Cumulative PTF Package
• HIPER Group PTFs
• Database Group PTFs
• Technology Refresh PTF Group (IBM i 7.1 and later)
• Other Group PTFs as related to your environment
• HMC and server firmware fixes

Keeping current with the latest fix information is important in maintaining your server. Recognizing that your time is important, IBM has developed time saving tools and informational pages to assist you in accomplishing this task. Use the following links to save time searching for new or updated fixes and information.

My notifications
Simplify your fix management tasks. Subscribe to receive e-mail notification promptly whenever new or updated fixes are available in the fix categories you select.

Recommended fixes
Find the latest recommendations directly from the IBM i Global Support Center, without a telephone call.

The most important scenario to avoid is remaining on a release so long that all subsequent releases that support a single-step upgrade are withdrawn from marketing. Without a single-step upgrade available, there are no supported ways for you to upgrade your server.

In most cases, you would then need to hire custom services to perform a potentially labor-intensive upgrade from the back-level release to a current one, which could be very costly.

Browse IBM i Release support to review the defined Program Services periods for your release.