Overview

IBM z/OS Management Facility provides a framework for managing various aspects of a z/OS system through a task oriented, Web browser interface. By streamlining some traditional tasks and automating others, z/OSMF can help to simplify some areas of system management and reduce the level of expertise needed for managing a system.

In order to have ServerPac installed with z/OSMF Software Management, you should have z/OSMF up and running on at least one system. Therefore, z/OSMF Software Management is a driving system requirement.

z/OSMF Base Configuration

In order to install ServerPac using z/OSMF, you must first ensure that you have z/OSMF properly configured and are granted the necessary authorization to use it.

For a new installation of z/OSMF, it is recommended that you begin by creating a base configuration. If you are installing z/OSMF for the first time. please begin by clicking the link below and following the directions listed.

Install z/OSMF for the first time

If you are upgrading from a previous release of z/OSMF, perform the upgrade actions for z/OSMF.

Upgrade your z/OSMF platform

Specific Requirements for Installing a Portable Software Instance

In addition to z/OSMF, you must also have the Software Management plugin activated and the authority to use both Software Management and Workflows.

Configure the Software Management service

Configure the z/OSMF Workflows task

Beyond plugins and authority, you must also have the following PTFs installed:

z/OSMF Software Management

• z/OS V2.3, HSMA234 - UI75185
• z/OS V2.4, HSMA244 - UI75182
• z/OS V2.5, HSMA254 - UI75180

z/OSMF Workflows

• z/OS V2.3 (HSMA237) = UI60040
• z/OS V2.2 (HSMA227) = UI60042

SMP/E

• z/OS V2.3, HMP1J00 - UO01976
• z/OS V2.4, HMP1K00 - UO01975

Overview

When ordering your ServerPac in Shopz, you will have the option to choose an installation method: z/OSMF Software Management or ServerPac ISPF Dialog. Initially, this option for z/OSMF Software Management was only available for the CICS product set, but is now offered for IMS and Db2. By selecting the z/OSMF Software Management installation method, you are taking a step towards a consistent package format for all future ServerPacs.

Ordering a z/OSMF ServerPac in Shopz

ServerPac is orderable from Shopz. To submit an order for a ServerPac using z/OSMF, select the Installation Method of z/OSMF SW Management from the drop-down menu.

Steps

1. Begin the order process at Shopz
2. Proceed through Steps 1 - 6 of the order process as usual
3. Step 7 requires you to choose both a delivery and an installation method. For Installation method, select z/OSMF Software Management for a ServerPac in portable software instance format.
4. Continue through the remainder of the order process as usual.

Overview

For ServerPac orders that are delivered in portable software instance format, you will use z/OSMF Software Management to acquire the files. The eletronic delivery method are ones that you are already using, and you can continue to use with a ServerPac portable software instance. There are two download options for ServerPac in portable software instance format

The download option you select will depend on whether you have direct connection to an IBM download server.

You need to have acquired it through z/OSMF in order to deploy it.

To learn more about how to download a portable software instance, watch the tutorial videos:

Download direct to your z/OS System

If you currently download software orders from IBM’s download server direct to your z/OS System, you can continue to do so for a portable software instance. On the Software Management Portable Software Instance page, choose Actions --> Add --> From Download Server.

As you have done before, the Shopz download page for your order will contain information necessary to add your portable software instance with z/OSMF.

Download to your workstation and upload to your z/OS System

If you currently download software orders from IBM’s download server to your workstation and subsequently upload them to a z/OS System, you can continue to do so for a portable software instance. Do the following:

• On the Shopz download page for your order, use Download to your workstation using IBM Download Director to download the files from the IBM server to your workstation.
• On the Software Management Portable Software Instance page, choose Actions --> Add --> From Local Workstation to upload the files from your workstation to z/OS.

Deploying a Portable Software Instance

A Software Management task deployment is a checklist that guides you through the software deployment process, and it is the object in which z/OSMF stores your input and any output generated for each step in the checklist. Deployment is the process you use to install your z/OSMF Portable Software Instance.

When the deployment is complete, your software will be installed, configured, and verified. The configuration and verification will be accomplished with z/OSMF workflows, provided with the portable software instance, performed during the deployment operation.

Deploying software

Deployment checklist page

To learn more about how to deploy a portable software instance, watch the tutorial videos:

z/OSMF Portable Software Instance Demo

To try it yourself, install a sample z/OSMF Portable Software Instance onto your system by using the demo package below. By installing this sample, you can help verify your z/OSMF configuration and learn the steps to download and deploy a z/OSMF Portable Software Instance.

You can use z/OSMF Software Management to download the sample Portable Software Instance directly to your z/OS host, or you can download the Portable Software Instance to your workstation and then use z/OSMF Software Management to upload it from your workstation to your z/OS host.

Download the Sample z/OSMF Portable Software Instance

Watch the tutorial series for step-by-step instructions on how to download and install software onto z/OS using z/OSMF Software Management. This series provides an end-to-end walkthrough, from gaining access to a Portable Software Instance to finishing the deployment.