Newsletters
Abstract
This document describes the role and purpose of Informix Server Mod Packs, Fix Packs, Cumulative
Special Builds, and the IBM Expertise Connect (aka IBM Accelerated Value Program).
Content
IBM Informix® Mod and Fix Packs
Informix software maintenance is provided to customers who have purchased products under the Passport Advantage® (PA) program. Informix Mod Packs (V15 only) and Fix Packs are the primary maintenance delivery vehicles for Informix database products and are released on a periodic basis. They follow the IBM Maintenance Delivery Vehicle. Mod Packs are used to indicate new significant features and also contain fixes for Known Issues (KIs). Fix Packs contain fixes for KIs.
Mod Packs and Fix Packs have successfully passed IBM's extensive quality assurance before being made available for download. They are also cumulative: the latest Mod Pack and Fix Pack for a given release includes all previously delivered fixes for that release.
Although IBM recommends that customers maintain their Informix database system environments at the latest Mod Pack or Fix Pack level, you do not have to apply the latest Mod Pack or Fix Pack in order to contact IBM Informix technical support. All that is required is that your Passport Advantage Software Maintenance agreement is current. However, if it is determined that you have encountered a KI that is addressed in a released Mod Pack or Fix Pack, the solution is to apply the appropriate Mod Pack or Fix Pack. IBM retrofits only new fixes into an earlier Mod Pack or Fix Pack on an exception basis.
IBM Informix® Cumulative Special Builds
As of 12.10.xC16, 14.10.xC11, and 15.0.0.1, IBM maintains code streams for Cumulative Special Builds (CSBs) and performs extensive quality assurance on them. CSBs are built in a cumulative manner and are based on the latest Fix Pack for the current Fix or Mod Pack. This practice ensures much improved quality in CSBs, compared to Special Builds in previous releases. A CSB provides fixes for urgent and core KIs and is designed to make these fixes available to customers faster while maintaining the same reliability of a Mod or Fix Pack.
When you encounter a KI that is not yet fixed in a Mod or Fix Pack, IBM Informix technical support will first try to provide you with a bypass or workaround for the problem. If no bypass or workaround is available, IBM Informix technical support might be able to provide an available or upcoming CSB which addresses the KI.
CSBs are released as needed and the download links are shared through Cases opened with IBM Informix technical support. IBM Informix technical support also publishes a technote with a list of KIs fixed in each CSB: Informix Cumulative Special Builds. The CSB schedule is subject to change.
Examples of CSB versions are: [4,12].10.xC16W3, [4.5,14.1]0.xC12W17, 15.0.0.1.4, 15.0.0.2.4, 15.0.1.0.1.
As new Mod or Fix Packs are released, CSBs are built on the latest Mod or Fix Pack code streams. An IBM Informix CSB is not provided for defects that are already fixed in a released Mod or Fix Pack.
The IBM Expertise Connect Program is designed for the needs of IBM customers who require a more personalized, custom approach to support than that available through standard support or MLC subscription. In this service, IBM pairs your department or organization with assigned experts to serve as your focal point for support services. The Technical Account Manager works with you to become familiar with your specific environment, the skill levels of your support staff, your status/reporting needs, and other factors that influence your support experience, then works with you to establish a communication and reporting structures that fit with how you do business. Through proactive support, the IBM Expertise Connect helps you plan for ways to avoid encountering known product issues, and through skill sharing they help your organization enhance their skills in using IBM software.
Related Information
Was this topic helpful?
Document Information
Modified date:
29 January 2026
UID
ibm17229039