IBM SMP/E for z/OS V3.4 integrates ordering and delivery of z/OS
Contents


Announcement Letter Number AP05-1220 dated July 27, 2005
Asia Pacific - Last Revised on July 27, 2005



Brief Description of Announcement, Charges, and Availability

  1.5  Overview

  SMP/E is the software installation and maintenance tool for the IBM
  z/OS and z/OS.e platforms.  Its role is to consolidate and perform
  the low-level operations required to install software products and
  service.  It can also maintain an inventory of the software and
  service installed by SMP/E.  SMP/E V3.4 addresses common inhibitors
  to the Internet delivery of z/OS and z/OS.e platform service, and
  is designed to simplify and automate the entire z/OS and z/OS.e
  service acquisition process.

  V3.4 of SMP/E includes:

  o   SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval -- addresses the common
      inhibitors to Internet delivery of service, and is designed to
      simplify and automate the entire z/OS service acquisition
      process.  You may order and retrieve service on demand or you
      may automate the service delivery process.
  o   ICSF Mitigation -- uses an alternate method to calculate SHA-1
      hash values if ICSF is not available for use.
  o   Improved Load Module Build -- enhanced to be more tolerant of
      allocation errors for the distribution libraries.  This
      accommodates distribution libraries that may be offline.


Customer Letter Section

  1.3  CUSTOMER SECTION

  LETTER NUMBER AP05-1220
  PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCEMENT                                    JULY 27, 2005

  1.4  TITLE:
  IBM SMP/E for z/OS V3.4 integrates ordering and delivery of z/OS
  platform service over the Internet.

  1.5  Overview

  SMP/E is the software installation and maintenance tool for the IBM
  z/OS and z/OS.e platforms.  Its role is to consolidate and perform
  the low-level operations required to install software products and
  service.  It can also maintain an inventory of the software and
  service installed by SMP/E.  SMP/E V3.4 addresses common inhibitors
  to the Internet delivery of z/OS and z/OS.e platform service, and
  is designed to simplify and automate the entire z/OS and z/OS.e
  service acquisition process.

  V3.4 of SMP/E includes:

  o   SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval -- addresses the common
      inhibitors to Internet delivery of service, and is designed to
      simplify and automate the entire z/OS service acquisition
      process.  You may order and retrieve service on demand or you
      may automate the service delivery process.
  o   ICSF Mitigation -- uses an alternate method to calculate SHA-1
      hash values if ICSF is not available for use.
  o   Improved Load Module Build -- enhanced to be more tolerant of
      allocation errors for the distribution libraries.  This
      accommodates distribution libraries that may be offline.

  1.6  Key prerequisites

  SMP/E V3.4 runs on:

  o   z/OS V1.4 (5694-A01), or later
  o   z/OS.e V1.4 (5655-G52), or later

  1.7  Planned availability date:  September 30, 2005

  1.8  Program number

     Program   Program
     Number    Name
     --------  -------------------------
     5655-G44  IBM SMP/E for z/OS V3.4

  1.8.1.1.1  Availability of national languages&LL@cln

  The SMP/E national language support feature will become generally
  available when the executable code becomes available.

  1.9  Description

  1.9.1  Enhancements:

  SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval

  SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval is the latest enhancement in IBM's
  service delivery evolution for the z/OS platform.  SMP/E V3.4 can
  help address the common inhibitors to Internet delivery of service,
  and can simplify and automate the entire z/OS service acquisition
  process.

  SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval is designed to order and retrieve
  z/OS platform service from a dedicated IBM server via the Internet
  in one simple step right from z/OS.  With SMP/E V3.4 you are now
  able to order and retrieve service on demand, or you can automate
  the service delivery process.  By scheduling an SMP/E job to run
  once a week, or even every night, you can order and download the
  latest HOLDDATA and PTFs and have these services updates available
  when you want them.

  You can request corrective service, three forms of preventive
  service, and even HOLDDATA.

      Corrective

      o   You can request one or more PTFs by name, or

      o   You can request PTFs to resolve specific APARs.  When you
          specify one or more APARs, you receive PTFs that resolve
          the APARs, but only those PTFs that are applicable to your
          environment.

      Preventive

      There are three selection options for preventive service:

      o   Critical service includes PTFs that resolve HIPER problems
          (high impact pervasive) and PTFs in error (PE).

      o   Recommended service includes all PTFs with a Recommended
          Service Update SOURCEID (RSUyynn) and all PTFs that resolve
          HIPER problems or PTFs in error (critical service).

      o   All service includes all currently available PTFs.

      HOLDDATA

      When you request HOLDDATA you get only the latest two years of
      Enhanced HOLDDATA for the entire z/OS platform.  For further
      information on enhanced HOLDDATA, refer to
      http://service.software.ibm.com/holdata/390holddata.html

  Your PTF service order is customized to your SMP/E environment
  using a software inventory file that identifies your installed
  FMIDs and the PTFs already present in your environment.  This means
  you receive the PTFs you request that are applicable to your
  environment plus any requisites you don't already have on hand.
  Furthermore, your order will not include any PTFs you already have,
  resulting in a comprehensive order that can be downloaded and
  installed quickly.

  The SMP/E RECEIVE command has been extended to support this
  Internet Service Retrieval capability.  The RECEIVE command will
  use the HTTP 1.0 protocol with SSL to communicate over the Internet
  with the dedicated IBM server.  The server accepts the PTF or
  HOLDDATA request from SMP/E and responds with the information
  necessary to download the PTF and HOLDDATA files.  SMP/E then uses
  the FTP protocol to download the files from the IBM server to your
  local z/OS system.

  If you currently use ShopzSeries or Service Update Facility (SUF)
  to order and obtain PTFs through the internet, you should consider
  using SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval instead.  SMP/E can provide
  a simpler and more automated method to acquire z/OS service than
  ShopzSeries or SUF.

  ICSF Mitigation

  The z/OS Integrated Cryptographic Services Facility (ICSF) is used
  by SMP/E to calculate SHA-1 hash values.  These hash values are
  calculated for files within a GIMZIP package to verify the
  integrity of the data within the package.

  SMP/E has been enhanced to use an alternate method to calculate
  SHA-1 hash values if ICSF is not available for use.  Although ICSF
  is the preferred method, SMP/E will no longer require it for use by
  the GIMZIP and GIMUNZIP service routines, nor for the RECEIVE
  FROMNETWORK or RECEIVE FROMNTS commands.  If SMP/E detects ICSF is
  not available, then SMP/E will automatically use an SMP/E Java
  application class to calculate SHA-1 hash values as an alternative.
  To use the new SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval capability, SMP/E
  requires the IBM Software Developer Kit for z/OS, Java 2 Technology
  Edition, Version 1 Release 4 (5644-I56) or its logical successor.
  Java is not required for the installation of SMP/E, but is required
  at run time to use this SMP/E function.

  Improved Load Module Build

  The load module build phase of the APPLY, RESTORE and LINK LMODS
  commands is being enhanced to be more tolerant of allocation errors
  for the distribution libraries.  This accommodates distribution
  libraries which may be off-line.  In this case, SMP/E continues its
  search for a useable copy of the module instead of immediately
  failing because of the error allocating the distribution library.

  Note: This capability has already been provided by APAR IR53963 for
  existing SMP/E releases V3.2 and V3.3.

  1.9.2  Internet Download Availability

  SMP/E V3.4 will NOT replace SMP/E 3.3 on the z/OS Download Web
  site.

  SMP/E V3.3 will continue to be available on the Internet for
  download because it is the first SMP/E release to contain
  functional support required for the Internet delivery option of
  ServerPac.

      http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/zseries/zos/downloads

  1.10  Product positioning

  SMP/E V3.4 is available under its own product number and also
  remains a base element of z/OS and z/OS.e.  This allows customers
  who are licensed for a currently supported release of z/OS or
  z/OS.e to order and install the latest release of SMP/E without
  having to upgrade their entire operating system.  The benefit can
  be that products other than z/OS and z/OS.e can exploit the
  packaging and installation enhancements in SMP/E without
  necessarily having to install the prerequisites for a new level of
  the operating system.
  Product positioning - Globalization

  Japanese (availability concurrent with GA date)

  1.11  Product number

     Program   Program
     Number    Name
     --------  -------------------------
     5655-G44  IBM SMP/E for z/OS V3.4

  1.12  Hardware and software support services

  1.12.1  Smoothstart/installation services

  IBM offers a number of remote and on-site IBM SmoothStart (TM)
  Services, Operational Support Services, Migration Services, and
  Installation Services designed to accelerate productive use of the
  IBM solution.  These services are provided by IBM or an IBM
  Business Partner at an additional charge.  For additional
  information, contact an IBM representative and ask for IGS Services
  for z/OS or z/OS.e.

  1.13  Reference information

  o   Software Announcement AP04-1205, dated August 10, 2004 (IBM SMP/E
      for z/OS V3.3)
  o   Software Announcement AP04-1211 (RFA39951), dated August 10, 2004
      (IBM z/OS V1.6: Integrating new applications and Preview: z/OS
      V1.7)
  o   Software Announcement AP05-1047, dated February 15, 2005
      (Preview: IBM z/OS V1.7 and z/OS.e V1.7: World-class computing
      for On Demand Business)
  o   Software Announcement AP05-1215, dated July 27, 2005 (IBM z/OS
      V1.7)
  o   Software Announcement AP05-1214, dated July 27, 2005 (IBM z/OS.e
      V1.7)

  1.14  Supplemental information

  1.15  Education support

  SMP/E education is part of OS/390 and z/OS education.

  The following WW courses are available for classroom delivery:

  o   Introduction to z/OS Environment (ES05)
  o   Fundamental System Skills for z/OS (ES10)
  o   z/OS Facilities (ES15)
  o   z/OS Operations (ES27)
  o   z/OS Installation Using ServerPac (ES41)
  o   z/Architecture for zSeries 800 and zSeries 900 (OZ09)
  o   z/OS V1R6 and z/OS V1R7 Update (OZ92), planned to be offered in
      2005 in the U.S. and Canada.

  To find other z/OS-related courses, visit:

     http://www.ibm.com/training/us/catalog/zseries

  To enroll in one or more of these classes, please call your local
  IBM education center.

  1.16  Technical information

  1.16.1  Specified operating environment

  1.16.1.1.1  Hardware requirements&LL@cln
  SMP/E V3.4 runs in the same operating
  environments required by z/OS V1.4, or later and z/OS.e V1.4, or
  later.

  Although no longer required for the SMP/E RECEIVE FROMNETWORK and
  RECEIVE FROMNTS commands, or the GIMZIP, GIMUNZIP, and GIMGTPKG
  service routines, SMP/E will use the Integrated Cryptographic
  Services Facility (ICSF) of z/OS if it is operational (refer to the
  Software Requirements section).  ICSF requires either the
  Integrated Cryptographic Feature or the Cryptographic Coprocessor
  Feature of the processor.

  1.16.1.1.2  Software requirements&LL@cln
  To use the new SMP/E Internet Service
  Retrieval capability, SMP/E requires the IBM Software Developer Kit
  for z/OS, Java 2 Technology Edition, Version 1 Release 4 (5644-I56)
  or its logical successor.  Java is not required for the
  installation of SMP/E, but is required at run time to use this
  SMP/E function.

  To use the RECEIVE FROMNETWORK command and the GIMZIP and GIMGTPKG
  service routine, and optionally for the GIMUNZIP service routine,
  SMP/E requires one of the following to calculate SHA-1 hash values:

  o   Integrated Cryptographic Services Facility (ICSF), which is
      part of the z/OS and z/OS.e base element Crytpographic
      Services, or

  o   IBM Software Developer Kit for z/OS, Java 2 Technology Edition,
      Version 1 Release 4 (5655-I56) or its logical successor.

  These are not required for the installation of SMP/E, but are
  required at run time to use the identified functions.

  1.16.1.1.3  Compatibility&LL@cln
  SMP/E V3.4 runs on z/OS V1.4, or later and
  z/OS.e V1.4 or later.  If migrating from a release of SMP/E prior
  to SMP/E V3.2, then the UPGRADE command allows you to determine
  when and if incompatible changes should be made to SMP/E data sets.
  If the UPGRADE command is run, then SMP/E V3.4 should be used to
  process the SMP/E data sets affected by that command from then on.
  Such data sets may not be processed correctly by previous releases
  of SMP/E.

  SMP/E data sets, created and processed by earlier levels of SMP/E,
  can be processed properly by SMP/E V3.4.

  The following PTFs are designed to provide coexistence support and
  to prevent corruption of SMPCSI data sets when such data sets are
  processed by both SMP/E V3.4 and prior release levels of SMP/E.

  SMP/E Release           Coexistence PTF

  SMP/E V3.3              PTF UO00116

  SMP/E V3.2              PTF UO00115

  SMP/E V3.1              PTF UO00114

  1.16.1.1.4  User group requirements&LL@cln
  SMP/E V3.4 satisfies or partially
  satisfies recommendations from IBM customers and one or more of the
  worldwide user group communities.

      MR0115046536: SMP/E RECEIVE FROMNETWORK should not require ICSF

      MR0106053229: Make ICSF optional for GIMZIP, not a requirement

  1.16.2  Planning information

  ServerPac SMP/E Support

  ServerPac orders are built using either a default level of SMP/E or
  the lowest supported level of SMP/E that is required for the
  products in your order. The higher of these two SMP/E levels is
  used.  For example, z/OS orders are built with the level of z/OS
  SMP/E provided in that release of z/OS. However, if your order also
  includes SMP/E V3.4 (5655-G44), then your order is built with this
  higher level.  Subsystem orders are built with the lowest supported
  release of SMP/E unless a product in your order has a dependency on
  a higher level of SMP/E.  Your subsystem order would then be built
  with the minimum level of SMP/E that satisfies the requirement.

  The level of SMP/E used to build your order is documented in
  ServerPac Installing Your Order.

  Additionally, the Customized Offerings Driver, 5665-M12, which is a
  subset of a z/OS V1.4 system, is updated to include SMP/E V3.4
  (5655-G44) and additional service.

  1.16.2.1.1  Packaging&LL@cln
  This product's executable code is not offered via
  standard stand-alone product media.  It is available through the
  following customized offerings only:

  o   CBPDO (Custom-Built Product Delivery Offering)

  o   ServerPac (SMP/E V3.4 is delivered as part of your z/OS or
      z/OS.e V1.7 order)

  o   SystemPac (SMP/E V3.4 is delivered as part of your z/OS or
      z/OS.e V1.7 order)

  o   ProductPac

  1.16.3  Security, auditability, and control

  The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and
  implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and
  appropriate controls in application systems and communication
  facilities.

  1.17  Ordering information

  1.17.1.1.1  Order SMP/E Via the Internet&LL@cln
  ShopzSeries provides an easy to
  use interface to order SMP/E via the CBPDO or ServerPac Offerings.
  ShopzSeries can analyze your inventory of currently-installed
  software, determine the correct product migration and present you
  with a configuration based on a release of z/OS.  Additional
  products can also be added to your order (including the
  determination of whether all product requisites are satisfied).

  ShopzSeries is available in the U.S., Canada and several countries
  in Europe.  In countries where ShopzSeries is not available yet,
  please contact your IBM representative (or Business Partner) to
  handle your order via the traditional IBM ordering process.

  For more details and availability, visit the ShopzSeries Web site
  at

      http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/ShopzSeries/ShopzSeries.jsp

  z/OS service through the Internet

  SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval

  This new function, available with SMP/E V3.4, supplements existing
  service options in ShopzSeries, and will markedly simplify the
  acquisition of z/OS service.

  For customers who connect their systems directly to the Internet,
  and do not require physical media delivery options, SMP/E Internet
  Service Retrieval offers extensive options for service acquisition
  and is the recommended method to obtain your z/OS service via the
  Internet.

  ShopzSeries
  Effective March 29, 2002, IBM Service is available through
  ShopzSeries as an Internet-based, strategic software tool.  Through
  Service in ShopzSeries, you can quickly and easily order and
  receive corrective or preventive service electronically over the
  Internet or by standard physical media.  For preventive service,
  you can order just critical service (HIPERs and PTFs that resolve
  PE PTFs), the latest recommended service (which includes all
  critical service), or all available service.  Service in
  ShopzSeries reduces your research time and effort by using the
  uploaded SMP/E Consolidated Software Inventory (CSI) so that all
  applicable service, including reachahead service, for the installed
  FMIDs in the target zones is selected.  ShopzSeries also uses the
  CSI information to limit the size of the service order, sending
  applicable service that has not already been processed by SMP/E.
  IBM Technical Support is available through RETAIN for problems and
  Q&A.

  For more details and availability, visit the ShopzSeries Web site
  at

      http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/ShopzSeries/ShopzSeries.jsp

  1.17.2  Current licensees

  Current Licensees of SMP/E for z/OS V3.3 can migrate to SMP/E for
  z/OS V3.4 by ordering the release through the Customized Offerings
  (CBPDO, ServerPac, SystemPac, ProductPac) as done in the past.

  1.17.3  New licensees

  Shipment will not occur before the availability date.  SMP/E V3.4
  will be delivered as part of your z/OS or z/OS.e V1.7 ServerPac or
  SystemPac order.

  The SMP/E product is only shipped via Customized Offerings (CBPDO,
  ServerPac, SystemPac and ProductPac).  Non-customized items (for
  example, CD-ROMs) will continue to be shipped via the stand-alone
  product.

  Production of SMP/E V3.4 orders will begin on the general
  availability date, September 30, 2005.  Ship dates for orders will
  be based on order sequence, Customized Offering selected,
  production capability, and customer-requested arrival date.  Due to
  the amount of customization of ServerPac orders, shipments will
  begin approximately three weeks after general availability.  Due to
  the amount of additional customization of SystemPac orders,
  shipments will begin approximately four weeks after order and data
  input verification.  For CBPDO orders, shipments will begin one
  week after general availability.  In all cases, no delivery
  commitments are to be made to the customer until confirmed arrival
  dates are in WTAAS.

  1.17.3.1.1  Basic license&LL@cln

  To order this product, specify the 5655-G44 program number and
  feature number 9001 for asset registration.  Specify feature number
  F3FP for Basic no-charge and then choose either Base or Japanese
  feature for distribution media.

  1.17.3.1.2  Basic machine-readable material&LL@cln

     Description                   Feature Number    Distribution Medium
     ---------------------------   --------------    -------------------
     SMP/E V3.4 Base (English)         5812             * see notes

     Notes: This product is available in customized offerings only.
     The media type is chosen during the customized offering
     ordering procedure.

  1.17.3.1.3  Optional machine-readable material To order, select the feature&LL
  number for the desired distribution medium:

    Description                    Feature Number     Description Medium
    ------------------------       --------------     ------------------
    SMP/E V3.4 Japanese Base           5802             * see notes

    Notes:  This product is available in customized offerings only.  The
    media type is chosen during the customized offering ordering procedure.

  Basic publications

  A Program Directory is automatically supplied with the basic machine-
  readable material.

  Basic/unlicensed displayable softcopy publications:  All
  SMP/E publications are provided on the following CD-ROM as part of the
  basic machine-readable material at no extra charge.

     Title                                      Order Number
     ----------------------------------------   ------------
     SMP/E Version 3 for z/OS Product Library   SK3T-4323

  For a fee, you can purchase additional copies of the product library
  CD-ROM using the IBM Publications Center on the Web at:

    HTTP://WWW.IBM.COM/SHOP/PUBLICATIONS/ORDER

  The SMP/E Version 3 for z/OS Product Library contains the SMP/E Version
  3 product books in both BookManager and PDF softcopy formats on CD-ROM.
  By general availability, the SMP/E V3.4 books will also be available at:

    HTTP://WWW.IBM.COM/SERVERS/ESERVER/ZSERIES/ZOS/BKSERV/

  For those customers who want to upload either BookManager or PDF
  softcopy files and create softcopy repositories, the SoftCopy Librarian
  is our strategic tool for uploading and managing softcopy files on a
  z/OS host or server, and on LANs and workstations.  Use SoftCopy Librar-
  ian, a free program that is available on the product library disc or on
  the Web, to obtain and manage shelves from IBM or OEM (original equip-
  ment manufacturer) CD or DVD collections or over the Internet, from the
  IBM PUBLIB Web site, as well as from other Web sites that provide sup-
  port for SoftCopy Librarian.

  SoftCopy Librarian V4.2 or later supports downloading and management of
  PDFs via extended shelves (XKS files).  SoftCopy Librarian has been re-
  packaged to link the Java Runtime functions with its application code.
  In addition to eliminating the prerequisite for the Sun Java Runtime En-
  vironment on the client machine, this change has significantly improved
  runtime performance.

  Starting in October 2003, SoftCopy Librarian is supported only on Win-
  dows (TM) 2000 and Windows XP.

  The latest version of SoftCopy Librarian can be downloaded from this Web
  site:

    HTTP://PUBLIB.BOULDER.IBM.COM/EPUBS/DF/EBRSCLWJ.EXE

  Publications

  A Program directory and a CD-ROM, SMP/E Version 3 for z/OS Product Li-
  brary, (SK3T-4323) are supplied automatically as part of the basic pack-
  age.

  The CD-ROM includes the following softcopy publications for SMP/E for
  z/OS V3.4.  The CD-ROM includes additional pubs for prior releases, and
  the titles are somewhat different for the earlier releases.

                                                      Order
     Title                                            Number
     ----------------------------------------------  --------
     IBM SMP/E for z/OS Messages, Codes & Diagnosis  GA22-7770
     IBM SMP/E for z/OS Commands                     SA22-7771
     IBM SMP/E for z/OS Reference                    SA22-7772
     IBM SMP/E for z/OS User's Guide                 SA22-7773
     IBM SMP/E for z/OS Licensed Programming
     Specifications                                  GI10-0682

  1.17.3.1.4  Licensed documentation&LL@cln
  There are no licensed publications
  with this product.

  1.17.4  Customized offerings

  This product's executable code is available via Customized
  Offerings (CBPDO, ServerPac, SystemPac and ProductPac).
  Non-customized items (CDROM) will continue to be shipped with the
  stand-alone product.

  1.18  Terms and conditions

  1.18.1.1.1  IBM operational support services - SupportLine&LL@cln
  Yes

  1.19  Prices

  For all local charges contact your IBM representative.

  OTC:    Customers  who pay a OTC for a licensed program receive enhance-
  ments and future releases, if any, at no additional charge.  Significant
  new function may be offered as an optional feature and charged for sepa-
  rately.  If a replacement program is announced and the  customer  elects
  to  license the replacement program for a OTC and replace the prior pro-
  gram, an upgrade charge may apply.

  THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS PROVIDED FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY.  PRODUCTS
  CAN BE ORDERED ONLY UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFLECTED IN
  THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.  SOME PRODUCTS REFERENCED MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE
  IN YOUR AREA.  CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR PRODUCT
  AVAILABILITY DETAILS.

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