HDISV system maintenance and operations
Overview
This document outlines the software and system maintenance responsibilities of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) participating in the IBM z/OS hosted on demand program (HDISV). Understanding these responsibilities is essential for successful use of the service and compliance with program terms.
ISV Responsibilities:
- Data Management: Perform regular backups of all user data. IBM does not perform backups of HDISV environments.
- Data Preservation: Understand that only user data volumes stored USER01, USMS01 and additional ordered storage volumes are preserved during Managed Service Instance (MSI) recreate operations. All other data is destroyed.
- Maintenance Application: Initiate operations to apply available z/OS and middleware updates.
- Capacity Planning: Plan for future resource needs and request additional storage when necessary.
For Managed Service Instance (MSI) Mode:
- When new zADE software or z/OS software becomes available, ISVs must initiate a recreate operation to apply updates.
- During recreate, the Linux VM and all z/OS system (non-user) volumes are completely destroyed and created anew.
- Only user data volumes persist through recreate operations.
For Linux Layer Access Instance (LAI) Mode:
- Initiate operations to ensure Linux system is up-to-date and secure.
- Acquire a no-cost Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) subscription or bring your own existing subscription.
- When new zADE software or z/OS maintenance becomes available, ISVs must download and install updates.
- ISV is responsible for all zADE configuration and operations.
Getting Help
For infrastructure and availability issues, submit a support case via IBM Support by selecting "Other contracted support services" in the Type of Support field, and "IBM Z and LinuxONE Partner Network" in the Service field.
Maintenance Windows
IBM reserves a maintenance window every Sunday between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM U.S. Central Time for hardware maintenance. In the hours prior to this window, systems may be shutdown. During this window, system access may not be available. Tenant systems are regularly shutdown, powered off and restarted during this window. The current maintenance schedule is every two weeks with the exception of holidays.
To receive notifications about upcoming maintenance windows or changes to support schedules, open a case in IBM Support with "Other contracted support services" in the Type of Support field, "IBM Z and LinuxONE Partner Network" in the Service field, and "Maintenance Notification" in the Case Title.