Advanced fix installation: Apply fixes

Find out how to apply one, some, or all of your fixes with the Apply Program Temporary Fix (APYPTF) command.

Typically, use option 8 from the GO PTF menu to install your fixes. However, you can encounter some situations where you need to perform the separate steps of loading the fixes and then applying the fixes.

Some fixes cannot be applied immediately because the operating system or licensed programs they affect are active. These fixes are called delayed fixes and can be applied only at the next system initial program load (IPL). Immediate fixes can be applied without doing an IPL if the licensed program they affect is not in use, or may be applied like delayed fixes when you do the next IPL.

Fixes generally should be installed when received. Installing fixes allows you to test them in your operational environment. You should ensure that the new fixes operate properly on your system before permanently installing them. As long as the fixes are installed temporarily, they can be removed. Once they have been installed permanently, they cannot be removed.

When you are sure that the Licensed Internal Code fixes work properly, it is recommended that you install them permanently to reduce the time required to install the next cumulative PTF package, and to make available the storage for future fixes. If this storage is not made available, you will need to permanently install some of your Licensed Internal Code fixes before you can temporarily install any additional fixes. Temporarily installed Licensed Internal Code fixes are only in effect when you use the B storage area to perform an IPL.

Notes:
  1. You cannot apply or remove fixes with mandatory special instructions when *ALL is specified on the PTF numbers to select (SELECT) parameter of Apply Program Temporary Fix (APYPTF) or Remove Program Temporary Fix (RMVPTF) commands. These PTFs are only applied or removed when they are specified by a number on the SELECT parameter. This protects against applying or removing fixes without reading the mandatory special instructions.
  2. The term fix, in this context, refers to Licensed Internal Code fixes and licensed program fixes, including i5/OS™ program fixes.
  3. When installing fixes, other fixes can be specified as requisites for the fix. These different types include prerequisite fixes and corequisite fixes. Each type has a different relationship with the fix that you are trying to apply.

Fixes can be applied (made active) on either a temporary or permanent basis. If the fix is applied temporarily (also known as installed), a copy of the object being changed is saved. If the fix is applied permanently (also known as permanently installed), the old object is removed. Permanently applied fixes cannot be removed. You can also apply fixes during an attended IPL or during an unattended IPL. The following tasks provide you with instructions on how you can apply fixes:

Parent topic: Advanced procedures for fix installation