VM65600: PLM006 ABEND OCCURS WITH HCPPDF6609E

Obtain the fix for this APAR.

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• When the UPGRADE operand of the z/VM FORMSSI utility is executed
  against a newer level Persistent Data Record (PDR) which is in
  use by an active Single System Image (SSI) cluster, a PLM006
  hard abend may occur.  The problem stems from the FORMSSI
  utility leaving the PDR locked with the key 'FormSSI' when error
  HCP6609E occurs.
  
  
  Here is the console from the error:
  
     formssi upgrade e0aa vmplex1
     HCPPDF6609E Existing Persistent Data Record cannot be
     contracted
     Ready(00036);
     formssi upgrade e0aa vmplex1
     HCPPDF6608E Persistent Data Record on device E0AA is locked,
     possibly by FormSSI
     Ready(00048);
  
     ( the PLM006 abend occurs here )
  
  The PLM006 abend occurs when entry point HCPPLMBH attempts to
  update the local system heart beat in the PDR and receives
  return code 16 (I/O error).  The I/O error occurs because the
  code which attempts to read and lock the PDR in HCPPDRRP does
  not try to read the PDR using the FORMSSI lock.
  

Local fix

• N/A
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED: All z/VM Single System Image cluster users.  *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:                                         *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION: APPLY PTF                                    *
  ****************************************************************
  When the UPGRADE operand of the z/VM FORMSSI utility is executed
  against a newer level Persistent Data Record (PDR) which is in
  use by an active z/VM Single System Image (SSI) cluster, a
  PLM006 hard abend may occur on a system running in the cluster.
  
  The problem occurs when a back-level FORMSSI utility determines
  that an upgrade would cause a contraction of the PDR records.
  When this happens, FORMSSI issues error HCPPDF6609E and exits
  leaving the PDR locked with the 'FormSSI' key.
  
  When a system running in the SSI cluster attempts to update its
  heart beat timestamp, entry point HCPPDRRP is called to first
  read and lock the PDR.  To successfully read and lock the PDR,
  HCPPDRRP must read the PDR using the current key.  However,
  HCPPDRRP is missing logic to read the PDR using the 'FormSSI'
  key.  Once HCPPDRRP goes through all of its logic to read and
  lock the PDR without attempting to use the 'FormSSI' key,
  HCPPDRRP fails with return code 16 (I/O error).  When entry
  point HCPPLMBH later receives return code 16, HCPPLMBH issues
  hard abend PLM006.
  

Problem conclusion

• HCPPDF ASSEMBLE has been updated to unlock the PDR after
  issuing error HCPPDF6609E.  This prevents the situation where
  the PDR is left locked after issuing the FORMSSI UPGRADE
  command.
  
  Entry point HCPPDRRP in HCPPDR ASSEMBLE has been updated to
  attempt to read the PDR using the 'FormSSI' key after all
  other keys fail.  This prevents a back-level FORMSSI from
  causing a running SSI member to abend.
  
  The documentation changes associated with this APAR follow.
  
  ===============================================================
  
  The revised information that follows will be included in any
  future updates to the following publication:
  
    GC24-6177-04 z/VM: CP Messages and Codes version 6 release 3
  
    The documentation for CP message HCP6605E will be changed to
    the following:
  
         HCP6605E Variations of this message are explained below.
  
                  Error <number> reading Persistent Data Record
                  device label
  
                  Error <number> reading/writing Persistent Data
                  Record
  
         Explanation: The FORMSSI utility program received
         an I/O error when using DIAGNOSE code X'A8'.
      |  This error can occur when a FORMSSI UPGRADE command
      |  is issued for a Persistent Data Record (PDR) device
      |  associated with an active SSI cluster. In this situation,
      |  it is possible for a running member in the SSI cluster to
      |  steal the PDR lock held by the FORMSSI utility. If this
      |  occurs, the FORMSSI command will receive an I/O
      |  error when it attempts to update and unlock the PDR.
  
         System action: The command is not executed.
  
         User response: Check that the disk specified is a CP
         formatted read/write D/T3390 DASD. Consult the
         FORMSSI documentation and reenter the command.
         See  FORMSSI  in z/VM: CP Commands and Utilities
         Reference.
  
      |  If the error occurred while attempting to issue
      |  FORMSSI UPGRADE, reenter the FORMSSI UPGRADE
      |  command. If the problem persists, contact your IBM
      |  Support Center personnel.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

  UM34406 UM34407

Modules/Macros

• HCPPDF   HCPPDR   HCP6605E
  

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  VM CP

• Fixed component ID

  568411202

Applicable component levels

• R620 PSY UM34406

     UP14/08/12 P 1501

• R630 PSY UM34407

     UP14/08/12 P 1501

Fix is available

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