WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment, Version 6.1
             Operating Systems: z/OS

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This topic applies only on the z/OS operating system.

Applying product maintenance

Maintaining WebSphere Application Server requires an in-depth knowledge of MVS service techniques and the product service stream. This is especially important in a high yield production environment where availability is of the utmost importance. Therefore, planning service and knowing how to best apply service are essential skills.

Before you begin

Contact the IBM Software Support Center for information about preventive service planning (PSP) upgrades for WebSphere Application Server for z/OS. For more information about PSP upgrades, see the WebSphere Application Server for z/OS: Program Directory. Although the Program Directory contains a list of required program temporary fixes (PTFs), the most current information is available from the IBM Software Support Center.

The z/OS System Modification Program Extended (SMP/E) program is used to apply product maintenance to WebSphere Application Server for z/OS. The WebSphere Application Server update installer is not used under z/OS. A set of scripts called the post-installer, a part of WebSphere Application Server for z/OS, is used to make any configuration file system changes that are required as a consequence of product-maintenance.

About this task

Use the following procedure whenever you want to apply a new service release to your system.

Procedure

  1. Decide whether to run the post-installer automatically or manually. See Applying a service level or restoring to the previous accepted service level for more information.
  2. Make copies of your product data sets and file system structure.
  3. Ensure your deployment manager node is at the same or a later service level than the application server nodes.
  4. Use SMP/E to apply the required maintenance to the copies of your product data set and file system structure.
    Note: Notice if you receive WTOR message BBOO0286A when applying your service. This is significant because it means the service you installed contains defects that are not backwards-compatible and you must therefore run the backoutPTF.sh script if you want to backout the service later.
  5. Stop the application servers and the WebSphere Application Server for z/OS location service daemon.
  6. Stop CTRACE.
  7. Switch to the newly serviced WebSphere Application Server for z/OS product data sets. You can do this one of two ways:
    1. Rename the new data sets to replace the old ones.
    2. Recatalog the product data sets if the names are identical, or change WebSphere Application Server for z/OS cataloged procedures to refer explicitly to the new data sets.
      Note: If you use new data set names, you need to also handle program controls, so ensure you update the program control list.
    Verify that the MVS link list and APF list refer to the newly-serviced data sets.
  8. If STEPLIBS are being used, you need to ensure that the correct STEPLIBS have been exported in setupCmdline.sh. For more information, refer toLink pack area, link list, and STEPLIB .
  9. If the WebSphere Application Server for z/OS runtime is loaded into the link pack area, delete the old modules and load the new ones, or IPL the system to load the new modules into the LPA.
  10. Verify that the newly-serviced product file system is correctly mounted.
  11. Perform any other migration actions as instructed in PTF or APAR cover letters.
  12. Start the location service daemon and application servers.
  13. Complete any necessary post-install tasks. In particular, make sure that the post-installer is run (either automatically or manually) against each node, in order to update the configuration file system to the new service level. For more information, refer to Completing post-installation tasks after using SMP/E to apply a new service level.

Results

You can maintain service to clients when upgrading the host cluster of WebSphere Application Server for z/OS.

If you roll back to a previous maintenance level of WebSphere Application Server, be sure to run the post-installer against each node to back out configuration file system changes before switching to the older service level. See Completing post-installation tasks before using SMP/E to restore to the previous accepted service level for more information.




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Last updated: Feb 25, 2009 9:32:38 AM CST
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