Order fixes using the Send PTF Order command

If you prefer the command interface, you can use the Send PTF Order (SNDPTFORD) command to order individual fixes, multiple fixes, PTF groups, PTF summary, or cover letters.

The SNDPTFORD command is used primarily to order and receive IBM-supplied fixes (or program temporary fixes, PTFs) for the iSeries™ server and IBM-supplied applications. You can use this command over the electronic customer support configuration that uses either an SNA connection or TCP/IP connectivity through universal connection.

Note: Start of changeTo use Universal Connection, the Remote control point parameter must be set to *IBMSRV. End of change
Parent topic: Order fixes
Related concepts
Configure Universal Connection
Work with Management Central
Related information
Set User Policy (QPDETPOL) API
Retrieve Policy Data (QPDETRTV) API

Fixes and information you can order with the SNDPTFORD command

Start of changeYou can use the SNDPTFORD command to order a variety of fixes and related information. The following table shows how to use the SNDPTFORD command to order the different types of fixes and fix information. You might want to print and use this table as a reference when you order fixes.End of change

  • Separate or accompanying cover letters
  • Individual fixes
  • Multiple fixes
  • Cumulative PTF packages
  • PTF groups
  • PTF summary
  • Cross-reference summary list
  • Preventive service planning tips
Start of change
Fix information Command
Specific fixes and cover letters SNDPTFORD nnnnnnn1
Fix cover letter only SNDPTFORD nnnnnnn1 PTFPART(*CVRLTR)
Start of changeCumulative PTF packagesEnd of change Start of changeSNDPTFORD SF99vrm2 or SNDPTFORD *CUMPKG3End of change
PTF group SNDPTFORD SF99nnn4
PTF summary list SNDPTFORD SF97vrm2
Fix cross-reference summary list VRM520 to VRM530 SNDPTFORD SF97081
VRM520 to VRM540 SNDPTFORD SF97082
Licensed Internal Code V5R3M0 to Licensed Internal Code V5R3M55 SNDPTFORD SF97061
VRM530 to VRM5406 SNDPTFORD SF97085
PSP information for licensed programs SNDPTFORD SF98vrm2
PSP information for Licensed Internal Code and hardware devices SNDPTFORD MF98vrm2
Notes:

1 nnnnnn is the fix identifier. You can order up to 20 fixes at a time.

Start of change2 v is the version, r is the release, and m is the modification level of the system. For version 5 release 4 modification 0, type 540.End of change

Start of change3 When *CUMPKG is specified, the latest level of the cumulative PTF package for the release of the operating system that is installed on the system is ordered. End of change

4 nnn is the fix identifier, which can be any number.

Start of change5 This fix cross-reference summary lists contains only PTFs for Licensed Internal Code. For operating system and licensed program PTFs, refer to the operating system cross-reference summary list that corresponds to the release of your operating system.End of change

6This includes Licensed Internal Code V5R3M5 to VRM540.
End of change

Using the Send PTF Order command

When you use the Send PTF Order (SNDPTFORD) command, the following process takes place:
  1. From the iSeries server command interface, enter the SNDPTFORD nnnnnnn command, where nnnnnnn is the number of the individual fix you want to order. If you are using Management Central to manage your fixes, you may want to use the SNDPTFORD command from the system that you will use as your source system when you compare and update fix levels.
  2. To process your PTF order in batch, use the Submit Job (SBMJOB) command. For example, you can specify the SNDPTFORD command for the CMD parameter.
  3. Your order is then sent to IBM where the decision is made whether to distribute the fixes electronically or on media. If the fix files are too large to be delivered electronically, they are delivered on media.
  4. The PTFs are sent electronically or put on media. If the fixes are placed on media, the media is packaged and the order is sent to the user.
  5. Start of changeWhen fixes are delivered electronically on your service support communications line, you have the option to receive the fixes either as save files or as optical image files. The type of file is determined by what you specify on the Delivery format (DLVRYFMT) parameter. Save files are placed in library QGPL. In most cases, the save file name is the fix identifier prefixed with a Q. For example, the save file for fix identifier SInnnnn is QSInnnnn. Optical image files contain PTFs and cover letters and are stored in the directory specified by the Image directory (IMGDIR) parameter.
    Note: Start of changeDLVRYFMT(*IMAGE) is supported only when your system is configured to use a Universal Connection.End of change
    End of change

To order a cumulative PTF package with the SNDPTFORD command, do the following:

  1. Start of changeType either SNDPTFORD *CUMPKG or SNDPTFORD SF99VRM, where VRM is the version, release, and modification level of your licensed program. For example, for version 5 release 4 modification 0, type SNDPTFORD SF99540.End of change
  2. Verify the shipping information on the Verify Contact Information display. If any of the information is incorrect, change it and press Enter.
  3. Select option 1 (Send service request now) on the Select Reporting Option display. This places the fix order.

Specifying media for shipping a fix

You can specify the media for any fixes that will be shipped instead of delivered electronically by doing the following:
  1. On any command line, type WRKCNTINF.
  2. Press Enter. The Work with Support Contact Information display appears.
  3. Select Option 2.
  4. Press Enter. The Work with Local Service Information display appears.
  5. Select Option 2.
  6. Press Enter. The Change service contact information display appears.
  7. Start of changePage down to the last display.End of change
  8. Start of changeSpecify the fix medium type.End of change
  9. Press Enter.

The WRKCNTINF command is used in conjunction with the DELIVERY parameter on the SNDPTFORD command. If you specify DELIVERY(*ANY), fixes are sent by any available method. If you specify DELIVERY(*LINKONLY), you may not receive your order if the size of your fixes exceeds the transmit limit of the service link.

Additional considerations

Keep the following points in mind when using the SNDPTFORD command:

  • When you order a fix that has been replaced (superseded) with another fix, you receive the ordered fix, not the replacement fix. To identify fixes that have been replaced (superseded), consult the fix summary list.
  • Start of changeWhen you order a fix for a product that is installed on your system, you will receive the ordered fix and its requisite fixes.End of change
  • If you order a fix for a product that is not installed on your system, you will receive only the fix that you ordered. If you use the Display Program Temporary fix (DSPPTF) command on the fix you just ordered, you will receive the following message: PTF 5722xxx-SIxxxxx is not found. This message means that the fix is for a release of the product that is not installed on your system. Contact your service provider for the correct fix number. To avoid this situation, you can add support for a product.
  • Start of changeUse the Set User Policy (QPDETPOL) and Retrieve Policy Data (QPDETRTV) APIs to set and retrieve the maximum PTF order size. This policy is used only when your system is configured to use a Universal Connection.End of change
  • Start of changeIf you specify *SAVF delivery format and the corresponding save file is already on the system, a PTF is not reordered.End of change
  • Start of changePTFs that are too large for the service link are sent on the selected medium when delivery method (DELIVERY) is *ANY. If the PTFs are too large to use service link only (*LINKONLY), the command fails. End of change

Start of changeFor information on ordering PTFs through IBM® Technical Support, see Order fixes using the Internet. End of change