Software Downloads - FAQs

Question: Why can't I see my customer numbers?
Answer: The customer numbers that are listed under the tab By category are the ones that you are registered for. If you are missing anything, you can register other ones in the Register Customer Number application.

Question: Why can't I find my machine?
Answer: The machine type and machine serial numbers are based on your registered customer numbers.

  • You can check your profile in the View My Authorizations application or Register Customer Numbers in the Register Customer Number application.
  • Also, only certain machine types are shown, which are only the hardware that has any software available on ESS. If you believe that a machine is missing, contact ESS Support.

Question: Why can't I find my product?
Answer: Different products have different methods of entitlements:

  • for IBM i, it requires an active license
  • for AIX and Storage: it requires an active SWMA

Check whether you registered the customer number and if you have the right entitlement for the product. Both software licenses and software maintenance can be checked in Inventory Explorer under My Inventory applications.

For more information about supported products, 2 reports are available in the Data Reports application:

  • ESS product list - downloadable products list: you can either select All available to get a list all known system software products, which can or cannot be supported though download on ESS or you can choose to filter the report content based on a customer number and the list shows the products available for download.
  • ESS product list - downloadable media features: you can get a list of media feature codes available for download on ESS, together with their descriptions and method of entitlement for the products you are entitled for.

Question: How are AIX downloads structured on ESS?
Answer: AIX today has several versions and editions. For each version and edition that is still being sold, the current latest media is always stored under the product itself (for example - 5765-CD3 contains AIX Enterprise Edition V7.2 media) and some previous, older builds are posted under an extra product that is called a PRPQ. This PRPQ product is clearly labeled and is listed near its parent main license (for example - AIX 7.2 older builds are found under PRPQ 5799-HKZ).

Question: Which AIX versions are available on ESS and what is their entitlement method?
Answer: Any AIX version starting from 5.3 is available for download on ESS, but it heavily depends on the software maintenance (SWMA) which you have.

  • AIX 7.2 is available based on the regular SWMAs or standard service contract renewals.
  • AIX 7.1 is available based on the regular SWMAs or standard service contract renewals.
  • AIX 6.1 is available only based on its specific service extension.
  • AIX 5.3 is available only based on its specific service extension See the other questions in these FAQs for details.

Question: What is available for AIX 7.2 and where can I find it?
Answer: AIX 7.2 has several editions today:

  • AIX Enterprise Edition - product 5765-CD3
  • AIX Standard Edition - product 5765-G98
  • AIX Enterprise Cloud Edition - product 5765-ECB
  • AIX Cloud Edition - product 5765-CBA
  • Older base media builds - product 5799-HKZ

Question: What is available for AIX 7.1 and where can I find it?
Answer: AIX 7.1 has three editions available:

  • AIX Enterprise Edition - product 5765-CD1
  • AIX Standard Edition - product 5765-G98
  • AIX Express Edition - product 5765-G97
  • Older base media builds - product 5799-HKU

Question: What is available for AIX 6.1 and 5.3?
Answer: Those end-of-service products are only available if you signed a service extension to your AIX service contract.

  • AIX 6.1 is found under 5799-HKS product.
  • AIX 5.3 is found under 5799-HKR product.

Question: Is AIX media on ESS refreshed every time a new Technology Level and/or Service Pack is released?
Answer: No, typically a single refresh is done once per quarter, capturing all available TL & SP releases. Once a new build is released, it replaces the media content under the license product. Also, each older Technology Level with its latest Service Pack is also available under the respective PRPQ. To get the latest Technology Level or Service Pack when it's released, use Fix Central instead.

Question: Why can't I see a specific media?
Answer: For IBM i, you must be licensed for the specific function. For AIX, you need to have the right edition and entitlement. Media gets constantly refreshed, once per quarter, integrating latest fixes. Also, certain products were withdrawn from marketing. You can find them under Withdrawn products tab.

Question: Why a particular media temporary unavailable?
Answer: Contact ESS Support to know more.

Question: Is sFTP available?
Answer: Unfortunately, this method is not supported on ESS. We are still evaluating the possibility to provide it. Download Director and HTTPS links are the available methods right now.

Question: What is the difference between ESS and Fix Central?
Answer: ESS and Fix Central complement each other in terms of what IBM provides to customers:

  • ESS contains the base media for every IBM Systems software product, which can be used to do a new installation, an upgrade or a migration.
  • Fix Central contains software media for upgrades only. Due to the process and content for each application, the base ESS media is refreshed only periodically. Fix Central is always carrying every new update when it's available. In summary, you must get your base media from ESS with current recommended and included fix packs. Get your latest updates from FixCentral when they are released.

Question: Where can I get more help about Software download?
Answer: The following instructions are available:

Question: Are the checksums available for each file?
Answer: You can find the links to verify the checksums on the Prepare to install instructions page.

Question: Where can I find more information about IBM products?
Answer: You can check it at IBM Docs page.

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