Basic PTF Tutorial for applying Individual PTFs

Resolving The Problem

The three most common commands used to apply individual PTFs are:

DSPPTF, LODPTF, APYPTF

Examples:

If applying individual PTFs to 5770SS1 product, the three most common commands used are:

DSPPTF LICPGM(5770SS1)
LODPTF LICPGM(5770SS1) SELECT(SInnnnn)
APYPTF LICPGM(5770SS1) SELECT(SInnnnn) APYREQ(*YES)

If applying individual PTFs to 5770999 product, the three most common commands used are:

DSPPTF LICPGM(5770999)
LODPTF LICPGM(5770999) SELECT(MFnnnnn)
APYPTF LICPGM(5770999) SELECT(MFnnnnn) APYREQ(*YES)


Use DSPPTF command to display the cover letters of PTFs that are to be applied or loaded to the system.

Example:

DSPPTF LICPGM(5770SS1) SELECT(SI61263) COVERONLY(*YES)

Information to take note of:

PRE/CO-REQUISITE PTF/FIX LIST
ACTIVATION INSTRUCTIONS :
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS :
DEFAULT INSTRUCTIONS :

"PRE/CO-REQUISITE PTFs"
Pre-requisite PTFs have to be applied prior to the PTF you want to apply.

Co-requisite PTFs may be applied with the PTF you want to apply.

It is possible that a Pre-requisite or Co-requisite PTF may require an IPL to apply it. Cover letters for these PTFs should also be reviewed.

"Activation instructions" identify the action(s) required to be completed after the PTF is applied.

"Special instructions" identify the action(s) to be taken in a specific order to correctly load, apply and activate the PTF.

"Default instructions" identify if a PTF can be applied
Immediately - no IPL
Delayed - during an IPL
or if the PTF will be applied Permanently.


DSPPTF command can also be used to determine current PTF status information.

Example:

DSPPTF LICPGM(5770SS1) SELECT(SI61263)

On "Display PTF Details" menu take option

1. General information

Information provided:

Product ID/PTF ID
Release
On order
PTF save file
PTF status
Latest superseding PTF
Status date/time
Type
Unattended IPL action
Optional part
PTF library
Cover letter
Mandatory instructions
Test Fix
Action pending
Action required
Target release
Minimum-Maximum level
PTF creation date/time
Technology refresh PTF


General order of PTF activity:

1. Order the PTF(s)

PTFs may be down loaded directly to the system in library QGPL, obtained on physical media, received as images of physical media that
may be burned to physical media, or received as images of physical media in a directory on a PC or the IBM i. For some types of orders, the
images of physical media are placed in a directory on the IBM i and loaded to an image catalog.

2. Display PTF cover letters.

Take note of any requisite PTFs, these PTF cover letters also need to be reviewed and they may have special
instructions and/or require delayed apply during an IPL.

3. Load the PTF(S)

After a PTF is loaded it has a status of "Not applied"

4. Apply the PTF(s)

PTFs applied immediately have a status of "Temporarily applied" or "Permanently applied."

PTFs that are set to be applied delayed at the next IPL have a PTF status of "Not applied" and an Unattended IPL action of "Apply temporarily" or "Apply permanently" during the next unattended normal IPL.

5. Display PTF Status to verify the PTF(s) applied.

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There are situations when a couple of PTFs are ordered and many PTFs are received, because the few PTFs ordered have many requisite PTFs. In this situation it may take too long to review all the cover letters
and perform all the special instructions in the correct order to apply the requisite PTFs. It is often quicker to let the system perform this function and set the
PTFs for apply in the correct order - at the next unattended, normal IPL.

If a couple of PTFs were ordered and many requisite PTFs were down loaded them directly to the system, the best option for loading and applying the PTFs is to:

Enter GO PTF

From the menu "Program Temporary Fix" take option "8. Install program temporary fix package"

On the menu "Install Options for Program Temporary Fixes" enter the following parameters and press enter.

Device . . . . . . . . . *SERVICE
Automatic IPL . . . . . . N
Prompt for media . . . . 1
Restart type . . . . . . *SYS
Other options . . . . . . N

The system will load all the PTFs found in library QGPL to the products on the system that have not been applied and then set them to be applied
applied during the next unattended normal IPL. The systems determines the order in which PTFs are to be applied to the system. When you are
ready to apply the PTFs, perform an unattended normal IPL.

An unattended normal IPL can be started by running the command:

PWRDWNSYS OPTION(*IMMED) RESTART(*YES) IPLSRC(B)

After the IPL, use DSPPTF command to verify the PTFs are applied.



Sources of debug information when PTFs do not apply

1. The job log. Use DSPJOBLOG command.

2. The system history log for install activity.
Enter GO LICPGM
On the "Work with Licensed Programs" menu take option "50. Display log for messages"
Press enter on "Display Install History" menu
On the "Display History Log Contents" menu search for a failure

Example of a failed PTF action.

Loading of PTFs started.
Loading of PTFs completed successfully.
Marking of PTFs for delayed application started.
Apply PTF started.
Applying of PTFs failed for product *ALL. <==
Marking of PTFs for delayed application failed.
PTF install processing failed.

Move the cursor under the non-failure message before the first failing message, then press F10=Display all

For the above example the cursor should be moved under message "Apply PTF started."
Then press F10=Display all

This will show all the messages between "Apply PTF started." and "Applying of PTFs failed for product *ALL."

Then look for the first failing message after "Apply PTF started." This is the reason why the PTF activity failed. There may be more than one reason why the activity failed.

Example of a successful PTF action.

Loading of PTFs started.
Loading of PTFs completed successfully.
Marking of PTFs for delayed application started.
Marking of PTFs for delayed application completed successfully.
PTFs installed successfully.

3. If the failure happened during the IPL, review the SCPF or IPL job log.
To review this job log, enter WRKJOB SCPF.


The is not a complete, exhaustive education about PTF apply.
This information is intended to provide basic information about PTF apply.