Ordering and Installing VM Service

How to order service

Installing Service

What Service to Order:

  1. Preventive Service to avoid known problems.
  2. Corrective Service if are you experiencing a problem and need to search for a fix or report the problem.
To keep up with service changes and information please visit the Service News page.

How to Order

VM Service can be ordered any one of three ways:

  1. IBM Shopz (Registration required)
      With Shopz the following can be ordered:
    • z/VM base Operating System
    • z/VM priced features
    • z/VM SDO products
    • z/VM preventive service (Hiper/PE)
    • z/VM corrective service (PTFs, APARs)
    1. Path:
      Shopz Sign in    
             Provide your IBM ID and password
             Select "create new software orders"
             follow the screens to select/fill in information
    2. A verification email will be sent when the order is ready for download

  2. IBM Support Center
    • In the United States: 1-800-IBM-SERV
    • Outside the United States and Puerto Rico, contact your local IBM representative or authorized supplier.


  3. ServiceLink (for Subscribers)
    1. Path:
      ServiceLink SRD (Service Request Delivery)
         Choose RSU or ESO or enter the PTF number
    2. If you select RSU or ESO, then select your 'present service level' and your 'desired service level'.
    3. To verify the order, use "List Order". When the order status indicates "Received", wait a bit, and then refresh the page until status indicates "Submitted". Then click on the order number to read the instructions for retrieving that service.
    4. ServiceLink is hosted by IBMLINK and available for a FEE to subscribers. Like Shopz it can be used to order specific APARs and PTFs. It can also be used to:

      • Search for service support information
      • Receive critical service notifications
      • Track APARs and PTFs
      • Query all APARs and PTFs for a specific product

When ordering the z/VM base or optional products, you get a DVD or downloadable file in SERVLINK format. Please follow the instructions provided with your order.




Installing z/VM Service:

About Electronic Service Delivery
The instructions received with the order tell you to unterse or decompact the envelope file you receive. You do this by using the DETERSE module, which is shipped as part of VMSES/E on its production disk (default is MAINT 5E5).
Note: The filetype of DETERSEd files MUST be SERVLINK.

For installation instructions for electronically delivered Version 6 service

For installation instructions for electronically delivered Version 7 service

z/VM V7: Instructions for installing service

  • For the z/VM V7 components and pre-installed features and products, the preferred method is to install service using the automated service process:
  • For IBM Licensed Products for VM, refer to their Program Directory for the product service instructions.
    z/VM V6: Instructions for installing service
  • For the z/VM V6 components and pre-installed features and products, the preferred method is to install service using the automated service process:
For IBM Licensed Products for VM, refer to their Program Directory for the product service instructions.