ServerPac (entitled with z/OS)
ServerPac is an entitled software delivery package consisting of products and service for which IBM® has performed the SMP/E installation steps and some of the post-SMP/E installation steps. To install the package on your system and complete the installation of the software it includes, you use the CustomPac Installation Dialog.
Two types of ServerPac installation are available to you, when ordering z/OS®. One option is to order both z/OS and the products that run on it by way of ServerPac. Another option is to order a Product ServerPac that includes only the software products you want without the z/OS base. See Product ServerPac.
The CustomPac Installation Dialog generates tailored installation jobs and saves detailed definitions of volume, catalog, and data set configurations, which can be tailored, saved, and merged to install subsequent ServerPacs. The CustomPac Installation Dialog is the same dialog that is used for all the CustomPac offerings, including SystemPac (dump-by-data-set format), ProductPac®, and RefreshPac. For more information about CustomPac fee offerings, see http://www.ibm.com/services/custompac.
- A full system replacement installs a complete z/OS system. It installs all the data sets you
need to IPL, to log on to the target system, and to run a z/OS image in order to complete
other installation and customization tasks. The installed data sets
fall into two major categories:
- System software and related data sets (such as distribution and target libraries, SMP/E CSI data sets, and sample libraries)
- Operational data sets (such as page data sets, system control files, and a master catalog).
Because IBM creates a working set of operational data sets for you, a full system replacement helps assure a successful first IPL.
Depending on your environment, you might need to merge your existing operational data sets with the data sets created by ServerPac. You can do this before or after first IPL.
- A software upgrade installs only system software and related
data sets (such as distribution and target libraries, SMP/E CSI data
sets, and sample libraries). It does not create the set of new operational
data sets required to IPL (such as page data sets, system control
files, and a master catalog). With a software upgrade, all operational
data sets are assumed to already exist and to be usable by the new
level of software installed. When new operational data sets are required,
you must allocate and initialize them before you IPL. For example,
you might need to add parameters required by the new software level
or change data sets so they will work with both the old and new levels.
A software upgrade uses your existing catalog structure. This includes your existing master catalog (with direct or indirect cataloging references) and user catalogs. In addition, software upgrade allows you to create new user catalogs as part of the installation process.
A software upgrade is possible for z/OS but not for a Product ServerPac order or for subsystems (DB2®, IMS™, CICS®, NCP, and WebSphere® Application Server).
Of the entitled installation packages available for installing z/OS, most customers choose ServerPac rather than CBPDO.