Maintenance Level :
A Maintenance Level (ML) is a concept replaced by Techology levels
Technology Level :
A Technology Level (TL) is the new term for the twice yearly AIX 5L releases, which contain new hardware and software features and service updates. The first TL will be restricted to hardware features and enablement, as well as software service. The second TL will include hardware features and enablement, software service, and new software features.
PTF :
Program Temporary Fix. A temporary solution or by-pass of a problem diagnosed by IBM as resulting from a defect in a current unaltered release of the program. A report of a problem caused by a suspected defect in a current unaltered release of a program.
A PTF is (again as before) a Program Temporary Fix and provides a solution for a problem. (Unnnnnn number for AIX) I guess the U is for UNIX).
APAR :
Authorized Program Analysis Report. A report of a problem caused by a suspected defect in a current unaltered release of a program.
This report sums up the problem and instructs the software lab to fix it. (IXnnnnn or IYnnnnn number - and not before long I guess IZnnnnn)
Most people use PTF and APAR interchangably (is that even a word???) PTF's have the word temporary in them but really are not temporary. They are just a patch. Now a temporary patch would be an e-fix that you would get directly from IBM. e-fixes need to be uninstalled before applying maintenance since the ML will not install with an e-fix in place. The terminology is confusing but just think of both PTF's and APAR's as patches.
AIX patching
Service Pack :
A Service Pack (SP) consists of service-only updates (also known as PTF's) that are released for each Technology Levels and are grouped together for easier identification. Service packs numbering is different for each Technology level. For example for TL 8 the latest service pack is 7 but for TL 11 the lastest service pack is 1.
Service packs can include any of the following:
Another important concept to understand is the Concluding Service Pack (CSP). The CSP is the final service pack for a TL. It usually contains fixes for critical problems or security issues. The new strategy also includes a longer period of support for each OS TL. Each TL will now be supported for up to a two-year period. This means that you can continue to call IBM support for up to a two-year period (from the introduction to the update) without having to move up to the latest TL. The new server update strategy also promises improved serviceability throughout the life of TL. This is done by allowing you to maintain your operating system by installing service packs and PTFs throughout the entire lifecycle of the TL.
A Maintenance Level (ML) is a concept replaced by Techology levels
Technology Level :
A Technology Level (TL) is the new term for the twice yearly AIX 5L releases, which contain new hardware and software features and service updates. The first TL will be restricted to hardware features and enablement, as well as software service. The second TL will include hardware features and enablement, software service, and new software features.
PTF :
Program Temporary Fix. A temporary solution or by-pass of a problem diagnosed by IBM as resulting from a defect in a current unaltered release of the program. A report of a problem caused by a suspected defect in a current unaltered release of a program.
A PTF is (again as before) a Program Temporary Fix and provides a solution for a problem. (Unnnnnn number for AIX) I guess the U is for UNIX).
APAR :
Authorized Program Analysis Report. A report of a problem caused by a suspected defect in a current unaltered release of a program.
This report sums up the problem and instructs the software lab to fix it. (IXnnnnn or IYnnnnn number - and not before long I guess IZnnnnn)
Most people use PTF and APAR interchangably (is that even a word???) PTF's have the word temporary in them but really are not temporary. They are just a patch. Now a temporary patch would be an e-fix that you would get directly from IBM. e-fixes need to be uninstalled before applying maintenance since the ML will not install with an e-fix in place. The terminology is confusing but just think of both PTF's and APAR's as patches.
Patch level and/or patches
instfix -ivq oslevel -rn
Service Pack :
A Service Pack (SP) consists of service-only updates (also known as PTF's) that are released for each Technology Levels and are grouped together for easier identification. Service packs numbering is different for each Technology level. For example for TL 8 the latest service pack is 7 but for TL 11 the lastest service pack is 1.
Service packs can include any of the following:
- Customer-reported problems that can't wait until the next TL.
- Critical problems reported by development teams.
- Limited changes to support new hardware, such as device drivers' kernels changes to reflect a new processor. These are changes that do not add new functionality. New functionality will only be added for TLs or new releases. SP release schedules are approximately every four to six weeks.
lslpp -L command or emgr -l command.Another important concept to understand is the Concluding Service Pack (CSP). The CSP is the final service pack for a TL. It usually contains fixes for critical problems or security issues. The new strategy also includes a longer period of support for each OS TL. Each TL will now be supported for up to a two-year period. This means that you can continue to call IBM support for up to a two-year period (from the introduction to the update) without having to move up to the latest TL. The new server update strategy also promises improved serviceability throughout the life of TL. This is done by allowing you to maintain your operating system by installing service packs and PTFs throughout the entire lifecycle of the TL.
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