SMP/E terms and concepts

Overview

SMP/E is IBM's tool for managing software installations on the z/OS mainframe. SMP/E manages software versions, helps apply patches and updates (PTFs), facilitates orderly testing and, if necessary, reversion to a previous state.

This section explains some of the basic terms and concepts used by SMP/E. If you need more detailed information on SMP/E, see the IBM documentation.

Tailored installation jobs

If applicable, this section also points out where SMP/E commands and actions are reflected in the tailored installation jobs. The standard installation assumes that BSA V7R1, Beta 23 V7R2, and Adabas Audit Data Retrieval V7R2 are installed in the same SMP/E environment.

SYSMODs

The basic building blocks of software include object modules, skeletons, panels, and other types of data. All of these building blocks are called elements.

A SYSMOD is a package for SMP/E that includes the element together with information that SMP/E needs to install and track system modifications. Each SYSMOD is assigned a seven character SYSMOD ID to uniquely identify it.

There are four different categories of SYSMODs:

  • Function SYSMODs introduce the elements for a product.
  • PTF (program temporary fix) SYSMODs prevent or fix problems with an element, or introduce new elements.
  • APAR (authorized program analysis reports) SYSMODs fix problems with an element (not used by Beta Systems).
  • USERMOD (user modifications) SYSMODs customize an element.

FMID

The seven character FMID (Function Module ID) identifies a piece of software and its release number.

For example, the FMID of BSA V7R1 is RBS7100.

The FMID enables SMP/E to identify the various building blocks as belonging to the same piece of software.

Modification control statement (MCS)

Modification control statements (MCS) at the beginning of the SYSMOD package provide management instructions for SMP/E. Each MCS start with ++ as the first two characters, for example, ++PTF(ptfnum) identifies a PTF SYSMOD and ++HOLD(reason) instructs SMP/E to keep a PTF in the global zone until the reason has been confirmed.

Consolidated software inventory (CSI)

The CSI datasets contain all the information SMP/E needs to track the elements in the distribution and target libraries.

The CSI stores information in three zones:

  • The distribution zone is for entries that represent the elements found in the distribution libraries.
  • The target zone is for entries that represent the elements found in the target libraries.
  • The global zone has entries that identify the target and distribution zone and data on SMP/E processing.

Tailored installation jobs

I#BSAJ01 through I#BSAJ05 create a new SMP/E environment.

Target library and distribution library

A distribution library contains all the elements that are used as input for running your system. One very important use of the distribution libraries is for backup. Should a serious error occur with an element on the production system, the element can be replaced by a stable level found in the distribution library.

A target library contains all the executable code needed to run the system.

Tailored installation jobs

I#BSAJ06 through I#BSAJ07 allocate and define libraries for BSA.

I#B23J01 defines the BSA libraries also for Beta 23.

I#B97J01 through I#B97J02 allocate and define libraries for Adabas Audit Data Retrieval.

RECEIVE, APPLY, and ACCEPT

SMP/E installs SYSMODs in your target and distribution libraries.

The three basic commands provided for this are RECEIVE, APPLY, and ACCEPT.

  1. The RECEIVE command gets the SYSMODs from the input dataset and copies them to an SMP/E temporary storage area in the global zone (SMPPTS dataset for MCSs and inline elements, SMPTLIB dataset for RELFILE).
  2. The APPLY command installs the SYSMODs into the target system libraries.
  3. The ACCEPT command installs the SYSMODs into the distribution libraries (used by Beta Systems only for function SYSMODs).

The RESTORE command reverts to a previous state. RESTORE is not possible after ACCEPT.

Tailored installation jobs

I#BSAJ08 through I#BSAJ09 do the RECEIVE/APPLY/ACCEPT for the BSA SYSMODs.

I#B23J02 through I#B23J04 do the RECEIVE/APPLY/ACCEPT for the Beta 23 SYSMODs.

I#B97J03 through I#B97J05 do the RECEIVE/APPLY/ACCEPT for the Adabas Audit Data Retrieval SYSMODs

Note: There is no ACCEPT in the tailored installation jobs for PTF SYSMODs, only RECEIVE and APPLY.