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Program temporary fix

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258: 121: 311:), approximately on a monthly basis. They can now be downloaded straight to the system through a direct connection to IBM support. In some instances IBM will release a "Cumulative PTF Pack", a large number of fixes which function best as a whole, and are sometimes codependent. When this happens, IBM issues compact discs containing the entire PTF pack, which can be loaded directly onto the system from its media drive. 939: 64: 197: 426:
These repairs to IBM software are often in response to APARs submitted by customers and others and acted on by IBM, and are a common first step to resolving software errors. It is generally expected by the customer that the problem would be fully corrected in the next release (version) of the
337:. In rare cases an installation may install a single PTF, but normally it will install all available service except PTFs excluded by, e.g., aging policies, HOLDDATA. Details vary from installation to installation, but a simple service cycle would involve these steps: 501:
The focus of the "APAR fix" is "to rectify the problem as soon as possible" whereas the PTF "is a tested APAR... The PTF 'closes' the APAR. " Prior to that, an APAR is "a problem with an IBM program that is formally tracked until a solution is provided.”
50:), and where an "APAR fix" was issued, the PTF "is a tested APAR" or set of APAR fixes. However, if an APAR is resolved as "Fixed If Next" or "Permanent Restriction" then there may be no PTF fixing it, only a subsequent release. 518:, because they have the option to make the PTF a permanent part of the operating system if the patch fixes the problem. One explanation of Program Temporary Fix says it's temporary, just until the next ice age. 452:
IBM support staff, if they suspect that a defect in a current release of an IBM program is the cause, will file a formal report confirming the existence of an issue. This is referred to as an
829:"Issues with Cognos and other IBM software can arise from configuration errors, problems in third-party hardware or software, and occasionally, because of a bug in the IBM product itself." 831: 980: 642: 314:
One reason for the use of physical media is size, and related (default) size limits. "By default, the /home file system on VIOS (Virtual I/O Server) for
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the service and HOLDDATA to list exception SYSMODs, verify that necessary prerequisites are available,and to list potential problems, e.g., errors.
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is only 10GB in size." If the "Cumulative PTF Pack" is larger than the default, "If you try (to) FTP 17GB of ISO images you will run out of space."
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Over time, IBM started to provide service aids such as IMAPTFLE and utilities such as IEBEDIT to simplify the installation of batches of PTFs. For
419:(un-apply) it and seek further support from IBM. However, if no problems are found after the service is applied, it can be permanently installed, 81: 166: 1009: 889: 392:(if available), and review the system's performance over multiple weeks to ensure it does not hinder your productivity or functionality 872: 47: 694: 240: 103: 787: 740: 839: 973: 458: 552: 85: 701: 1004: 747: 214: 966: 275: 222: 138: 74: 389: 527: 924: 813: 903: 628:
a formal report from IBM development to customers that have notified IBM of a problem or suspected defect.
180: 999: 173: 162: 578: 329:(System Modification Program/Extended) in several stages over a course of weeks. Each PTF may include 946: 412: 593: 760: 714: 668: 612: 176:, this culminated in Virtual Machine Serviceability Enhancements Staged (VM/SP SES) and VMSES/E. 868: 532: 268: with: Maintenance vehicles for other platforms, alternate methodologies. You can help by 40: 950: 547: 772: 726: 680: 17: 557: 478:
information on whether a formal fix is scheduled to be included in future releases, and
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Update documentation to reflect the exception SYSMODs, and take any necessary actions
315: 207: 862: 859:"An APAR fix is usually replaced later by a permanent correction called a PTF." 63: 938: 380:, rework and re-APPLY any local exits or modifications affected by the service. 576:
In 2001 a long time IBMer wrote "I thought it was now Product Temporary Fix."
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the service to the production system and monitor its effects for several weeks
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Initially, installations had to install service via a semi-manual process.
43:, or group of fixes, distributed in a form ready to install for customers. 643:"IBM's APAR process provides the tools for dealing with software issues" 510:
Customers sometimes explain the acronym in a tongue-in-cheek manner as
88: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 131: with: Maintenance vehicles for other platforms. You can help by 542: 326: 322: 755:(Twelfth ed.). June 1970. pp. 392–402. GC28-6586-11. 463: 252: 190: 115: 57: 703:
IBM System/360 Operating System: Service Aids - OS Release 21
709:(Third ed.). March 1972. pp. 219–239. GC28-6719-2. 183:, this culminated in Maintain System History Program (MSHP) 165:, this culminated in System Modification Program (SMP) and 594:"Traps do not process for CiscoAPIC models in CA Spectrum" 481:
whether or not a Program Temporary Fix (PTF) is planned.
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Review exception SYSMODs for, e.g., ACTION, DOC, holds.
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Once IBM has ascertained that the cause is not one of
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If the system is adversely affected by the service, a
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PTFs used to be distributed in a group on a so-called
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IBM System/360 Operating System - Maintenance Program
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Ebbers, Mike; Kettner, John; O'Brien, Wayne (2012).
832:"IBM Support – Authorized Program Analysis Reports" 591:Nonetheless PROGRAM temporary fix is still in use. 864:Introduction to the New Mainframe: z/OS Basics 814:"Populating the VIOS Virtual Media Repository" 974: 8: 370:Order and RECEIVE any missing prerequisites. 39:), sometimes depending on date, is a single 749:IBM System/360 Operating System - Utilities 981: 967: 825: 823: 454:Authorized Program Analysis Report (APAR). 241:Learn how and when to remove this message 104:Learn how and when to remove this message 904:"PTF - Permanent Temporary Fix (humor)" 569: 347:(load) the service and HOLDDATA to the 925:IBM Authorized Program Analysis Report 768: 758: 722: 712: 676: 666: 636: 634: 494:The APAR may result in an "APAR fix." 7: 935: 933: 497:a permanent correction called a PTF. 490:There are at least 2 levels of fix: 448:user-specified configuration errors, 167:System Modification Program/Extended 86:adding citations to reliable sources 812:Glenn Robinson (October 28, 2015). 953:. You can help Knowledge (XXG) by 435:At times IBM software has a bug. 333:, in which case it is known as an 48:Authorized Program Analysis Report 25: 890:"Diff between PTF,APAR,INTERMFIX" 341:Download the most recent HOLDDATA 937: 647:destinationz.org (MSP TechMedia) 475:information on known workarounds 256: 221:, and discuss this issue on the 206:may have confusing or ambiguous 195: 119: 62: 46:A PTF normally follows an APAR ( 888:Mehdi Salebi (August 7, 2011). 641:Gabe Goldberg (June 12, 2013). 613:"IBM Security: APARs explained" 388:the service to one system in a 349:Consolidated Software Inventory 325:, the PTFs are processed using 73:needs additional citations for 553:Windows Server Update Services 1: 788:"Virtual I/O Server overview" 423:(committed) to the system. 305:Recommended Service Upgrade 1026: 1010:Software engineering stubs 932: 579:"Should APARs be accepted" 415:may sometimes selectively 399:HOLDDATA when appropriate 18:IBM Program temporary fix 528:Microsoft Update Catalog 512:permanent temporary fix 949:-related article is a 445:non-IBM software -or- 181:DOS/360 and successors 27:In IBM terminology, a 741:"The IEBEDIT Program" 695:"Chapter 9: IMAPTFLE" 600:. September 11, 2017. 163:OS/360 and successors 33:Product temporary fix 29:Program temporary fix 1005:Software maintenance 947:software-engineering 836:AmitechSolutions.com 792:IBM Knowledge Center 514:or more practically 442:third-party hardware 413:system administrator 219:improve this section 82:improve this article 516:probably this fixes 471:APARs also include 297:Program Update Tape 431:Comparison to APAR 427:relevant product. 213:Please review the 962: 961: 908:AcronymFinder.com 786:IBM Corporation. 611:IBM Corporation. 533:Patch (computing) 405:RECEIVE and APPLY 293: 292: 251: 250: 243: 156: 155: 114: 113: 106: 16:(Redirected from 1017: 983: 976: 969: 941: 934: 912: 911: 900: 894: 893: 885: 879: 878: 867:. IBM Redbooks. 857: 851: 850: 848: 847: 838:. 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C27-6918. 359:APPLY CHECK 284:August 2021 147:August 2021 94:August 2021 994:Categories 846:2017-12-07 564:References 771:ignored ( 761:cite book 725:ignored ( 715:cite book 679:ignored ( 669:cite book 223:talk page 187:PTF usage 169:(SMP/E). 522:See also 421:ACCEPTed 331:HOLDDATA 316:System p 797:Oct 14, 622:Oct 14, 617:ibm.com 486:Summary 417:RESTORE 390:cluster 374:RESTORE 345:RECEIVE 217:, help 41:bug fix 871:  598:ca.com 397:BYPASS 378:REJECT 945:This 753:(PDF) 744:(PDF) 707:(PDF) 698:(PDF) 543:SMP/E 506:Humor 386:APPLY 327:SMP/E 303:) or 951:stub 869:ISBN 799:2019 773:help 727:help 681:help 624:2019 456:See 323:z/OS 276:talk 179:For 172:For 139:talk 464:IBM 353:CSI 321:In 309:RSU 301:PUT 84:by 37:PTF 31:or 996:: 906:. 834:. 822:^ 790:. 765:: 763:}} 759:{{ 746:. 719:: 717:}} 713:{{ 700:. 673:: 671:}} 667:{{ 645:. 633:^ 615:. 596:. 461:. 376:, 174:VM 982:e 975:t 968:v 957:. 910:. 892:. 877:. 849:. 816:. 801:. 775:) 729:) 683:) 649:. 626:. 581:. 467:. 355:) 351:( 307:( 299:( 286:) 282:( 278:) 274:( 272:. 244:) 238:( 233:) 229:( 225:. 211:. 149:) 145:( 141:) 137:( 135:. 107:) 101:( 96:) 92:( 78:. 35:( 20:)

Index

IBM Program temporary fix
bug fix
Authorized Program Analysis Report

verification
improve this article
adding citations to reliable sources
Learn how and when to remove this message

adding to it
talk
OS/360 and successors
System Modification Program/Extended
VM
DOS/360 and successors
abbreviations
Manual of Style
improve this section
talk page
Learn how and when to remove this message

adding to it
talk
System p
z/OS
SMP/E
cluster
system administrator
"APARs and PTFs"
IBM

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