VM Service News

For your awareness:

• Required Service for z/VM V5.3 and V5.2 in order to run on the new System z10^™   (02-2008)
• New z/VM Red Alert page created for Critical Issues (Nov. 2007)
• A change was made to the HIPER APAR classification. (May 2007)
  HIPER APARs used to be defined as "Highly Pervasive". The HIPER designation is now given to an APAR that addresses the following type problems:
  
  • System or subsystem outages
  • The inability to recover from failure
  • Loss of major program function
  • Recursive failures
  • Severe performance failures where it's extremely difficult to proceed without a bypass or circumvention and ultimately an APAR fix solution.
  The RSU content will remain the same. The mechanism z/VM is using to include an APAR on the RSU is HIPER and PERVASIVE which is in line with the old HIPER definition. This will not effect RSU distribution dates.

  APAR's with the HIPER designation are tracked by many z/VM users. This new definition enables z/VM customers to be informed about serious problems that may effect their environment. All HIPERs should appear in the PSP bucket. You can then review them and see which ones you need to apply.

• View 2007 plans for z/VM V5.1 , z/VM V5.2 and z/VM V5.3 RSU. (11-2007)

• z/VM V5.2 PTF UM31784 application information  (12-2006)

  The PTF, UM31784, is a collection of z/VM 5.2.0 new function APARs. IT IS NOT AN RSU but a large cumulative CORrective service deliverable. You install this PTF by using the SERVICE command or the VMFREC command. The VMFINS command will not work against this PTF.

• Daylight Saving Time 2007 Changes (DST2007) (11-2006)
  A provision of the U.S. Government's Energy Policy Act of 2005, extends Daylight Saving Time (DST) by four weeks, beginning in 2007. Starting in March 2007, daylight time in the United States will begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November. Read the document describing how the changes to U.S. daylight saving time affect z/VM
   
• Required Service for z/VM 5.2.0   (04-2006)
  • Do not IPL z/VM V5.2 first level in an LPAR until the following MCL levels for z890 and z990 machines have been applied and activated.
    MCL J13484.112
    MCL J13486.106
    MCL J13471.007
  • In order to run LINUX KERNEL 2.6.16 in a virtual machine, the following MCL levels must be applied:
    J13484.137 for z890 and z990
    J99673.083 for System z9
    Since Linux kernel 2.6.16, the Linux on zSeries QDIO-module exploits the new z/VM 5.2 high performance method to transmit data for dedicated FCP, OSA and HiperSockets devices called QDIO Enhanced Buffer State Management (QEBSM) on z890, z990, and z9-109.
     
• Potential Support Element problem on z/VM V5.2 with APAR VM63815

  NOTE: APAR VM63897 is now available (January 5,2006) and prevents the problems associated with APAR VM63815 and the support element/HMC.

  APAR VM63815 may cause Support Element (SE) to run out of memory and re-boot. The problem has NOT been seen on the new 2094 (z9-109) processors. This does not cause a problem with the systems running in the LPAR's. This only effects the SE and Hardware Maintenance Console (HMC). This maybe noticed by slow-downs and hangs on the HMC. Likewise, the same symptoms might be noticed on the SE as well, followed by it re-booting. Once SE has re-booted, HMC and SE return to working like normal, however the problem process will start over again.

  SE development has been made aware of this problem and its severity and is actively working on a solution with z/VM development.

  APAR VM63815 was shipped on latest RSU supplied with z/VM V5.2. The PTF is not on an RSU yet for other releases. The PTF numbers for each release are:

  R520 PTF UM31545  0501RSU
  R510 PTF UM31544  Not on RSU
  R440 PTF UM31543  Not on RSU
  

  The current work around is to apply VM63897, or if this is not an option, back off the PTF, for this APAR, using the VMFREM command, as defined at: (remove PTF for VM63815)
• Dates and APAR Information for Recent Enhancements for z/VM in support of Oct. 2004 and Jan. 2005 hardware announcements.
• Hardware requirements installing z/VM V5.1 from DVD
• Updated service for z/VM HCM and HCD 01-2006
  
• z990 Adapter Interrupt Performance:
  Check for appropriate service levels if you plan to put z990 Adapter Interrupt technology into production. (Jan. 26, 2004)
• Extended End of Service dates for z/VM V4.3 and for z/VM 4.4 with z/VM V4 Software Support Lifecycle Extensions (Aug. 12, 2003)
• z/VM V3.1, V4.2, and V4.3 on the new IBM zSeries 990 server
  Refer to the z/VM subset of the 2084DEVICE Preventative Service Planning (PSP) bucket prior to installing the z990 server. (May 13, 2003)
• Hardware requirements when operating the Integrated 3270 Console on pre-z990 servers with z/VM V4.4 Hardware Management Console Version 1.8.0 or later is required if....(read more)
• IBM ShopzSeries
  - ShopzSeries is an IBM productivity tool for planning and ordering zSeries software products and service. Now you can order a variety of tailored software packages for the z/OS, z/OS.e, OS/390, z/VM, VM/ESA and VSE/ESA environments. ShopzSeries also lets you review your software licenses in these environments.
  Note: Not all ShopzSeries features are supported in all countries.
• VM support is available (01-25-2002) for the IBM TotalStorage^TM Enterprise Storage Server new configuration options. (See announcement letter 101-341.)

  3390 model 9 DASD configured up to 32,760 cylinders
  Supported on z/VM 3.1.0 and subsequent releases. The following VM PTFs are required:

  • - APAR VM62936 for CMS R310 thru R420. PTF numbers are UM30246(310), UM30247(410), and UM30248(420).
  • - APAR VM62937 for GCS R310. PTF number is UM30249.
  • - APAR VM62907 for DIRMAINT R150 and R410. PTF numbers are UV60704(150) and UV60703(410).
  • - APAR VM63004 for DFSMS F221. PTF number is UM30242.
  • - APAR VM62767 if CSE XLINK minidisk links are used on the R310 CP component of z/VM. This is only necessary if XLINK is used. PTF number is UM29928.
  
  
  
  The following microcode upgrade is needed:
  
  • IBM TotalStorage microcode upgrade Version 1.5.0.107 or later, AEC# SC11212, Part# 13461131
  
  

  Control-Unit-Initiated Reconfiguration (CUIR)

  • Supported on VM/ESA 2.3.0, or later and z/VM 3.1.0, or later.
    No VM PTFs are required for CUIR support.
• Ordering specific VM PTFs using the INTERNET

  From the IBM zSeries Support Portal, you can order PTFs for a VM system. It may not be as robust as ordering through the support center but if you have been keeping up with the latest service and need a specific PTF it is a good, and usually quick, way to get it. Ordering fixes from that site requires an IBM common registration userid.

• All VM customers applying APARs that have a memo file that is part of the APAR, can find the memo information at the bottom of the prodid MEMO that comes on the COR service tape. If the order was electronic, then the prodid MEMO can be found in the VLSTnnnn file of the electronic order. An example of such an APAR is VM62480 (click to go to memo).