Ordering PTFs automatically

by Andrea | 24/02/25 | IBM i, Programming, Sql Tricks & Tools, System Management

In the last post, we have seen how to manage defective PTFs automatically using SQL.Today, we will see how it’s easy to check current PTFs level directly from IBM servers.

Let me say that is quite important to keep systems update, both in terms of version and PTFs. In this way you are able to use all the new features, SQL services and last, but not least, is obtaining all the security-related patches that are needed to cover all the vulnerabilities that come out from day to day.

Let’s check our current PTFs group using GROUP_PTF_INFO view:

SELECT PTF_GROUP_NAME,PTF_GROUP_DESCRIPTION, PTF_GROUP_LEVEL,PTF_GROUP_STATUS
FROM QSYS2.GROUP_PTF_INFO

So, in my example I’ve got some groups in NOT INSTALLED status, it means that the system knows that there are several PTFs that are not installed… In my case is OK, that because I’ve ordered some PTFs using SNDPTFORD.

Now, let’s compare my levels and IBM official levels using GROUP_PTF_CURRENCY, listing only groups that have a difference between current are remote level:

SELECT PTF_GROUP_ID, PTF_GROUP_TITLE, PTF_GROUP_LEVEL_INSTALLED,PTF_GROUP_LEVEL_AVAILABLE
FROM SYSTOOLS.GROUP_PTF_CURRENCY 
WHERE PTF_GROUP_LEVEL_INSTALLED<>PTF_GROUP_LEVEL_AVAILABLE	

It’s quite fun, on my system I’m quite updated I need only to install SECURITY and HIPER groups. Let’s consider that these groups are the ones that are updated most frequently.

Now that we have understood all SQL services that we need to use, we will start creating a simple program that will check PTF currency and if there are some new PTFs we will proceed downloading them.

Here is the code to do that: firstly, we will count how many groups on my system are not current. If I found any, I will proceed applying permanently all LIC’s PTFs, that is quite useful when you install cumulative group. After that we will create an IFS path in which we will receive all the ISOs. At the end, we will order all groups PTFs creating an image catalog.

So, this is an idea, you can also choose to order only single groups or you can also choose to download only save files instead of bin-format images.

In this way you can automatically check and download updates for your system. Even in this case you need an internet connection, without this connection you are not able to query IBM servers. Another thing to consider is that before running this program in batch you need to add all contact information (CHGCNTINF command).

Even in this case, this source is available on my GitHub repo.

Let me know what you think about.

Andrea

Managing Defective PTFs automatically

by Andrea | 17/02/25 | IBM i, Programming, Sql Tricks & Tools, System Management

Several days ago, I opened a ticket to the IBM support for a problem that was affecting one of my production lpar. The technician ask me to generate a System Snapshot and once uploaded to website an automatic agent warned me about a defective PTF that was installed on my partition. I’ve also read the cover letter and wow, this PTF could make my savsys not good for a restore.

We are IBM i systems engineers, we must not panic, so let’s sling on our SQL buddy and figure out how to ferret out faulty PTFs installed on our systems.

The first way is to use QMGTOOLS utility that you can install following this page:

So from MG menu you can user option 24 (PTF MENU) and after that option 3 (COMPARE DEFECTIVE PTFS FROM IBM). Now, your IBM i system connects to IBM servers and check the list of installed PTFs with official list of defective PTFs.

This is one of the possible way to do that, but honestly is not my preferred one, that because it requires some manually actions, for instance you need at least to watch the spool file.

And here we are to my personally preferred method, using the DEFECTIVE_PTF_CURRENCY view in SYSTOOLS. This view is quite helpful because gives you all information you need when you talk about defective PTFs as ID of defective PTF, licensed product program and fixing PTF, now let’s test this query on my system:

select DEFECTIVE_PTF,PRODUCT_ID,APAR_ID, case when FIXING_PTF is null or FIXING_PTF='UNKNOWN' then '' else FIXING_PTF end as FIXING_PTF 
from systools.DEFECTIVE_PTF_CURRENCY

As you can see in my example, I have no rows, so it means that I haven’t got any defective PTF. If you look at my query I have tested the value of FIXING_PTF column, that because now we will create an easy RPG program that automatically check defective PTFs, list all fixing PTFs, order them and after that an email with report will be sent.

As you can see, if any defective PTF was found, the system will order the fixing PTF and will email me with the entire list of defective PTF.

You can find this code on my git repo. Consider that you need your partition is able to reach IBM servers for getting defective PTFs list and to order fixing PTFs.

And you, how do you manage defective PTFs on your system?

Andrea