For those installing at the end of the year...

[Cross-posted with https://blog.share.org/Article/for-those-installing-at-the-end-of-the-year]

I know several people usually order their z/OS ServerPac around the time their systems are frozen at the end of the year.?Just as a gentle reminder while on Shopz, please do be aware that the installation method choice for ServerPac (CustomPac “ISPF” package or z/OSMF package) was removed at the beginning of July 2022.?You won’t see that installation method choice anymore on Shopz, and *all* ServerPacs will be created as z/OSMF portable software instances.???This is for z/OS V2.5, program products, and middleware.?CBPDO still is an installation choice in Shopz, and is not changing.

Remember that the data set merge function is now available in all ServerPacs produced!?Meaning, for those that like to merge data sets (including zFS!) that capability is built right into z/OSMF Software Management and your delivered ServerPac.??AND if you model after a software instance that already has merged data sets, we will recognize that and bring it forward to your new software instance.

If you would like a refresher on how to install any ServerPac with z/OSMF, here’s the primary education site: https://www.ibm.com/support/z-content-solutions/serverpac-install-zosmf/ There is a small representative package available for download there (“Try it”), which you can practice on with your own z/OSMF system.???Also, at the bottom of this web page under “Multimedia” is the venerable KurtQ with short videos to explain what is happening during the installation, how to get started.?

As a hint:?make sure you run an SMP/E REPORT MISSINGFIX for FIXCAT IBM.DrivingSystem-RequiredService before you install your z/OSMF ServerPac to ensure that you have all the right driving system PTFs installed.??This would include the data set merge function mentioned above.?

As another hint:?Make sure you have noticed?a security item for the driving system in the z/OS V2.5 Planning for Installation?that you can prepare for now.?This is a common problem we have seen:??The user ID that you use must have READ access to the SAF (System Authorization Facility) resource that protects the IBM data sets that are produced during the creation of the ServerPac portable software instance. That is, your user ID requires READ access to data set names that begin with CB.OS*.** and CB.ST*.**.