IBM Support

Update Strategy for WebSphere Application Server V8.0

Product Readmes


Abstract

Announcing a strategy for delivering Fix Packs for IBM® WebSphere® Application Server V8.0 releases. Fix Packs are the standard maintenance delivery vehicle for Version 8.0.

Content

Update strategy overview
Update Deliverables
Update Deliverable Availability and Install
Maintenance planning
Recommended update path
Related Information
Change history


Update strategy overview

WebSphere Application Server Support is delivering this strategy to provide a clear update path which is easier to maintain than managing multiple, individual Application Server fixes.

In response to requests for published collections of fixes that are:
  • Delivered in a timely manner.
  • Tested together.

WebSphere Application Server V8.0 will provide Fix Packs regularly. This provides a consistent maintenance approach you can follow as you manage your products.

Installing preventative maintenance as soon as it becomes available will save you time. As long as you test appropriately, actively applying preventative maintenance can avoid problems that could result in a service call.
Update Deliverables

Fix Pack

A Fix Pack is a cumulative package of fixes and each Fix Pack level will be numbered incrementally, 8.0.0.1, 8.0.0.2, and so on.

Fix Pack deliveries will be approximately every 12 months. Details of currently available Fix Packs and, at least 30 days prior to availability, the date of the next planned Fix Pack will be published in Recommended fixes for WebSphere Application Server .

Each Fix Pack delivery can consist of Fix Packs for the following components:
  • Application Server
  • Application Client
  • Web server plug-ins
  • Pluggable Application Client
  • IBM HTTP Server
  • DMZ Secure Proxy Server
  • WebSphere Customization Toolbox
  • IBM Web Enablement for IBM i
  • IBM Edge Components

All Fix Packs apply to all supported platforms (there are no z/OS only Fix Pack deliveries) and can be installed on top of any previous Fix Pack or WebSphere Application server V8.0 base release of a WebSphere Application Server component.

When a Fix Pack is published an IBM Support page is created with details of the Fix Pack including download and install instructions and a list of problems fixed. For example: 8.0.0.1 Fix pack Page. This page may be updated with new information related to the Fix Pack when available, for example details of known new problems introduced.

IBM recommends customers to install the latest available Fix Pack level.
  • Customers should review details of known problems introduced to determine impact on customer function.

Notes:
  • The preceding component Fix Packs are all tested together by IBM at the same level.
  • Customer testing of critical functions after install of a Fix Pack is recommended before updating a production environment.
  • In some cases, a Fix Pack might not be delivered for every component at each Fix Pack delivery.
  • IBM supports users who might not install all component Fix Packs delivered at each Fix Pack level, except where a pre-requisite or co-requisite exists. If a pre-requisite or co-requisite exists between two Fix Packs, then those Fix Packs must be installed together.

There is a single list of all defects for each release (for example: Fix list for Version 8.0), that is updated for each new Fix Pack.


Feature Pack

A feature pack is a free product extension which offers targeted, incremental new features.

A feature pack may be provided for install with WebSphere Application Server V8.0 and may require a particular component Fix Pack.as a pre-requisite.

Fix Packs for feature packs deliveries will be as determined by IBM and aligned with WebSphere Application Server Fix Pack.

Customer regression testing of critical functions after install of a feature pack or a feature pack Fix Pack is strongly recommended.

Fix

A fix will resolve one or more product defects.

A fix will apply to one or more sequential Fix Pack levels.

A fix will only be provided when technically feasible.

A fix will be provided as one of two types:
  • An interim fix:
    • May be used to update a production environment.
      • It is recommended that customers test functions affected by the fix before updating a production environment.
      • It is recommended that customers move to a Fix Pack which includes the interim fix when available.
        • Reference the Recommended fixes page for currently available fixes in the latest Fix Pack levels.
    • Is regression tested for the affected function.
    • Is created when a stand-alone fix is required before a Fix Pack which includes the fix is available.
    • Applies to one or more fix packs that were made generally available up to two years before the date that the fix is created
    • Maybe be published or un-published.
      • A published interim fix:
        • Is available to all customers and supports all relevant IBM WebSphere Application Server components and all relevant supported platforms (including Z/OS).
        • IBM may recommend that a customer review a particular published interim fix and install it if applicable. For example a for pervasive or security/integrity issue.
        • When considered urgent, a interim fix will be flashed on the Support page.
          • For example for a high impact, pervasive or security/integrity issue.
          • These fixes generally target the two most recent Fix Packs, when applicable, for each affected release
      • An un-published interim fix:
        • Is given directly to one or more customers and may support a subset of relevant IBM WebSphere Application Server components and relevant supported platforms.
  • A test fix:
    • Is used to verify that the fix addresses a reported product defect.
    • Is not intended to be used to update a production environment.


Update Deliverable Availability and Install

You must use IBM Installation Manager to install maintenance and updates for WebSphere Application Server V8.0. The V7.0 Update Installer cannot be used for WebSphere Application Server V8.0.

IBM Installation Manager uses product repositories to install products and maintenance. The following repository options are provided for WebSphere Application Server V8.0:
  • A current, Web-based ("live") repository provided by IBM.
  • A local repository created from the live repository using Package Utility.
  • Download and unzip of one or more zip files from Fix Central.

For IBM i, repositories are also provided for each fix pack via PTF. For PTF information, see IBM WebSphere Application Server for IBM i support.

Customers using the z/OS platform can update the initial product repository (SBBOMIR, delivered as FMID HBBO800) with PTFs for a current Fix Pack. Once these PTFs are installed, the repository can be used to install either the initial level of the product, or the Fix Pack level associated with the latest set of installed repository PTFs.

Note that interim fixes will be removed, and may be re-applied, as part of a Fix Pack install. Interim Fixes are re-applied if they also apply to the new Fix pack level installed. As a result some interim fixes may not be re-applied and it is therefore necessary to check the list of delivered fixes to determine if a removed interim fix is not included in the Fix Pack.



Maintenance planning

Choose the appropriate update solution and verify inclusion of needed individual fixes in the Fix Pack:
  • Review Recommended fixes and the Fix list for different versions to help you plan updates.
  • In order to ensure quality Fix Packs, individual fixes that become available late in the development cycle may not be included in a Fix Pack.
  • The historyInfo utility lists the history of installed and uninstalled fixes.
Prior to installing any WebSphere Application Server solution in production, appropriate testing should be done on a test system.

Update a Fix Pack from any previous Fix Pack or WebSphere Application server V8.0 base release of a WebSphere Application Server component.. For example update directly to Fix Pack 8.0.0.3 from 8.0.0.0, 8.0.0.1 or 8.0.0.2.
Recommended update path
  • Remaining on an early Fix Pack level (two or more Fix Packs behind the latest) with interim fixes applied puts IBM's ability to deliver additional interim fixes at risk. Situations may arise where IBM will not be able to safely deliver additional interim fixes on an early level. If a customer has interim fixes applied, they should plan on moving to a Fix Pack level which contains those fixes.
  • Update to the latest Fix Pack for cumulative fixes in order to avoid problems already resolved within WebSphere Application Server.
  • Update to the latest Fix Pack only when there is time in the development schedule for a full regression test of your application.
  • Plan appropriate testing prior to installing any WebSphere Application Server solution in production.

Related Information

Change history
DateDescription


19 Oct 2011
8 Aug 2011
Original draft released.
Original draft created.

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Document Information

Modified date:
17 June 2018

UID

swg27023315