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.
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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."
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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."
161:
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,
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392:(if available), and review the system's performance over multiple weeks to ensure it does not hinder your productivity or functionality
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a formal report from IBM development to customers that have notified IBM of a problem or suspected defect.
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329:(System Modification Program/Extended) in several stages over a course of weeks. Each PTF may include
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176:, this culminated in Virtual Machine Serviceability Enhancements Staged (VM/SP SES) and VMSES/E.
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268: with: Maintenance vehicles for other platforms, alternate methodologies. You can help by
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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
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859:"An APAR fix is usually replaced later by a permanent correction called a PTF."
63:
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380:, rework and re-APPLY any local exits or modifications affected by the service.
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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
158:
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"
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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
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755:(Twelfth ed.). June 1970. pp. 392–402. GC28-6586-11.
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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"
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whether or not a
Program Temporary Fix (PTF) is planned.
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Review exception SYSMODs for, e.g., ACTION, DOC, holds.
269:
218:
132:
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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
661:
IBM System/360 Operating System - Maintenance
Program
861:
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"
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8:
370:Order and RECEIVE any missing prerequisites.
39:), sometimes depending on date, is a single
749:IBM System/360 Operating System - Utilities
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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)"
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347:(load) the service and HOLDDATA to the
925:IBM Authorized Program Analysis Report
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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:
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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
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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
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908:AcronymFinder.com
786:IBM Corporation.
611:IBM Corporation.
533:Patch (computing)
405:RECEIVE and APPLY
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231:January 2023
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133:adding to it
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80:Please help
75:verification
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769:|work=
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663:. 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::
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174:VM
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