Last updated: March 2024

VM Service News

Hardware Service Requirements:

Service required for the IBM z15

Hot Topics:

1. Increase the size of the delta disk (3D2) prior to receiving service.
2. Remove obsolete PTF parts from the delta disk using the VMFREM command:
   
   VMFSETUP SERVP2P CMS (to get correct disks accessed)
   
   ERASE any CMS files of filetype CMSUT1 on the 3D2 minidisk, filemode J
   
   VMFREM PPF SERVP2P CMS LIST DMSVM $REMLIST (COMMIT RUN

   You need to create a file named DMSVM $REMLIST A. This file is a list of the PTFs which can be safely committed and removed from the VMSES/E inventory. The contents of the DMSVM $REMLIST A file, starting in column 1, should be
   UM35865
   UM35896
   UM35980
   UM35936

   This VMFREM command will delete older files shipped with the PTFs listed above and update the VMSES/E inventory to show that these PTFs are committed permanently to the CMS component.

If you have encountered the disk full situation while receiving the PTF service, you will need take one of the action above and reissue the command that failed due to the disk full condition (VMFINS or SERVICE).

Securing z/VM service orders

A change to z/VM and z/OS Service packages from Shopz and ServiceLink occurred in September 2023.

• A new small file has been added to the package with an IBM Certificate.
• Current procedures for uploading service to z/VM including GetShopz will be unaffected by the change. It is recommended to upload all files.
• An update to GetShopz to allow for verification of this certificate is available with z/VM 7.3 PTF UM90411 for new function APAR VM66732. The EXTRACT command was added to GetShopz to verify the service package without using GetShopz to transfer the files. An ISOLATED option has also been added to start a simplifed GetShopz web application that does not require the resources that would otherwise be obtained from external internet sites. See GetShopz Utility for more information.

z/VM 720: RSU7205 has been replaced with RSU7206:
See RSU Plans

IBM Shopz download site update:
On June 2, 2023 (changed from May 16, 2023), updates will be made to the IBM Shopz download servers. Certificates will be renewed under the "DigiCert Global G2" root. If you are using GetShopz for direct to host service downloads, and you do not have this certificate in the key database referenced by your z/VM SSL server, GetShopz will fail on the transfer of the service files with a certificate validation (GskCertValidation) error.

The updated certificate on the IBM Shopz download site will be similar to the IBM Service ECuRep site. The following command, run from TCPMAINT, can be used to test:

 PIPE i:fanin | tcpclient www.secure.ecurep.ibm.com 443 secure getsecinfo | take|  cons | hole | elastic | i:

If your z/VM system is missing the root certificate in your key database you will see this error line:

 FPLTCQ1015E ERRNO 10008: GskCertValidation

For information on storing the DigiCert CA Certificates into a z/VM Key Database visit this web page for details.

GetShopz Utility:
Direct to host service is now available, starting with z/VM 7.2, after application of its applicable APAR. Visit the GetShopz Utility page for more information.

SERVICE RESTART required:
Beginning with z/VM 7.2, VMSES/E incorporates logic to identify service updates to VMSES/E "Core" components which are critical to its operation. When these updates are identified, VMSES/E issues a notification to this effect, (via message: VMF2760W SERVICE processing incomplete due to service that affects core VMSES/E parts), creates a service restart file, and cancels its operation. Service processing then must be resumed using a SERVICE RESTART command.

Service download updates:
The manner in which service content is compressed for Version 7 service orders was changed for Shopz orders as of 13 May, 2020, and for all ServiceLink (IBMLink) orders as of 12 September, 2020. All Version 7 service orders now use GIMZIP compression.

This newer form of compression — noted as v7 format by the mentioned ordering tools — is intended to be transparent with respect to how a received service package is processed, in that one continues to use the existing DETERSE command to decompress z/VM service package files.

When service is ordered for z/VM levels prior to z/VM 710, be certain that v6 (TERSE) format compression is specified for your order. If a service package is ordered with v7 format, the z/VM 640 level DETERSE command will fail with a return code of 1031. In this situation, the 640 service will need to be ordered again, but in v6 format, which then should allow for successful DETERSE processing.

Note that GIMZIP compression will be used to improve service in the future, so please return to this page for updates. Also, ensure that you follow all instructions that are provided with a service order, including ignoring the GIMPAF XML and GIMPAF XSL files.