IBM ZVM - FOR LINUX V6 RELEASE 1 Getting Started Download

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Chapter 12. Servicing z/VM

This topic introduces IBM service concepts. After this introduction, turn to “Part 4.
Service Procedure” in

z/VM: Guide for Automated Installation and Service

, GC24-6197,

to install z/VM service.

z/VM service concepts

A component of z/VM, VMSES/E, helps you install z/VM and other
VMSES/E-enabled products and apply service changes that correct or circumvent
reported problems. VMSES/E handles both source code and binaries.

Service is the process of changing a particular release of a software product. There
are a number of reasons for servicing a product, such as:

Correcting a problem. Problems that you report to IBM are first entered into

problem management records (PMRs)

. If IBM determines that a PMR requires a fix

to a product, IBM creates a record called an

authorized program analysis report

(APAR)

. APARs provide a formal method of tracking problems for a specific

version of a product. An APAR can also affect several releases of a product. IBM
fixes these problems for a particular release through

program temporary fixes

(PTFs)

. A PTF contains the code changes for a solution to a problem (APAR) on

a particular release. Each release of a product has a unique set of PTFs, because
the fixes may be different on each release. When IBM ships a new release of a
product like z/VM, PTFs from the previous release are merged into the new
release.

Adding function. New functions can be delivered in a new release or version of
a product, or as service. When new function is delivered as service, it is called a

small programming enhancement (SPE)

. SPEs are delivered and tracked the same

way as problems. An APAR is assigned to the SPE, and it is delivered as a
program temporary fix (PTF).
IBM delivers service through:
–

Recommended service upgrade (RSU)

tapes, which contain a collection of PTFs

that IBM thinks are important enough that everyone should apply them. An
RSU tape defines a

service level

for your product and is designed to prevent

problems from occurring. (VMSES/E creates a software inventory and tracks
the currency of the system through service levels.) This type of service is
called preventive service.

–

Corrective service (COR)

(delivered on tapes or sometimes electronically in

electronic containers called

electronic envelopes

), which contains PTFs that you

request for a specific problem. Sometimes you cannot wait for an RSU tape to
correct a problem, so you can order a PTF through a COR tape or electronic
envelope. This type of service is called corrective service because it is
designed to correct a specific problem you encountered with the product.

–

Expanded Service Options (ESOs)

, which are defined collections of PTFs

delivered in VMSES/E corrective service format. ESO allows you to choose
the starting and ending service levels.
A product can have either an RSU or an ESO, but not both.

Other reasons for changing a product are:

Circumventing a problem. For expediency, IBM may provide a circumvention for
a problem until a PTF can be developed. A circumvention is meant to be a

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