Patch catalog - AIX Catalog

The AIX Catalog tab defines a number of options including locations (such as the location of the source files and the repository), as well as filters and whether local copies of the files are created on the target server or downloaded directly during deployment.

Note

After a catalog option update, ensure you update the patch catalog for the catalog option update to take effect.

The following sections provide more information about the AIX Catalog tab:

Catalog Mode

Select one of two options:

  • Source from IBM Network (Online Mode): Use this mode if the TrueSight Server Automation Application Server is installed on a server with Internet access. Credentials are not required.
  • Source from Disk Repository (Offline Mode): Use this mode in a secured environment where download occurs on a server, with Internet access, outside of the environment.

Download option

Select one of the two download options:

  • Fixget: Use this mode if you want to download the AIX patches from Fixget servers.

    Important

    IBM no longer supports fixget for AIX version 6.x and later. Therefore, TrueSight Sever Automation does not support fixget for downloading patch catalogs for AIX version 6.x and later.

  • SUMA: Use this mode if you want to download the AIX patches from Fix Central servers using IBM Service Update Management Assistance (SUMA).

    Notes

    • BMC recommends using, the latest, SUMA download option instead of the Fixget download option for AIX patching.
    • Before you use the SUMA download option, ensure that the repository server is running AIX 6 TL 6 or a later version and that it is configured with ECC.

    • The SUMA command used in the SUMA download option, does not allow TrueSight Server Automation to configure a proxy server automatically. The proxy server must be manually configured by using the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT), which is recommended by IBM.

      Click here to view steps for configuring the repository server using SMIT.

      To configure a proxy server on repository server while using the SUMA download option, perform the following steps:

      1. On the repository server, start the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) by running the smit command.
      2. Select the Communications Applications and Services option.
      3. Select the Create/Change Service Configuration option.
      4. Select the Create/Change Service Configuration option, once again.
      5. Select the Create/Change Primary Service Configuration option.
      6. In the entry field for Connection type enter HTTP_PROXY.
      7. Enter the IP address, port number, and authentication user ID of the proxy server that you want to use.

      You can now use the proxy server for creating an online or offline catalog with the SUMA download option.

Repository Options

Enter the following information:

Field

Description

Payload Source Location (NSH path)

Location where existing metadata and payload files are stored
Metadata files stored in this location are copied to the catalog automatically. Payload files are not copied to the catalog.

Repository Location (NSH path)

NSH path to the location where the patch repository is located
BMC recommends that this location have ample free space. Repositories typically contain many files, usually totaling gigabytes of data.
(Offline Only)
Either this location must be hosted on an AIX platform, or the downloader must be run on an AIX platform. If both are not on AIX platforms, you cannot create an AIX patch catalog.
(Online Only)
This location must be hosted on an AIX platform.
Note: As you do not need to specify the URL of the patch files, the Payload Source Location (NSH path) option is dimmed.

Note: When specifying a host within an NSH path, you can use either the host name of the IP address (IPv4 or IPv6).

Base Repository Location

Enter the following information:

Field

Description

Base Repository Location

NSH path to the location where base-level payload files are stored. Base-level payload files are not copied to the repository location.

Base Repository Network URL

URL of the location where base-level metadata and payload files are stored. Specifying a value for this field is optional if you have selected the Copy to agent at staging option for the Network URL Type For Payload Deployment field.

Notes:

  • If the patches that you require do not contain dependencies, you need not specify values for the Base Repository Location and Base Repository Network URL fields.
  • For more information about how to upgrade or install AIX patches using the Base Repository Location and the Base Repository Network URL options, see Creating-a-patch-catalog-for-AIX-in-online-mode.

Note: When specifying a host within an NSH path, you can use either the host name of the IP address (IPv4 or IPv6).


OS Base Version

Version of the operating system (OS) for which you want to source Technology Levels, Service Packs, and so on. The SUMA download option works out of the box with AIX 7.2, AIX 7.1, and AIX 6.1. However, starting 23.1 you can add new OS Base Version (for example, AIX 7.3) by modifying the xml configuration file for AIX (for the Supported-platforms) and importing it through the Patch Global Configuration dialog box. For more information, see Preparing-the-configuration-file-for-AIX.

Filters

Filters limit the amount of information brought into the catalog. For an offline catalog, re-create the filters defined in the configuration file used by the download utility. Available filter types are as follows:

  • By Update Level
  • By Fix Type
  • By Fix ID

Only patches that match the combinations you define are added to the catalog. You can define filters either when the catalog is created or later, when you edit the catalog. To begin, click Add Filter and select from the following:

Field

Description

By Update Level

Select either Technology Level or Service Pack (which includes Concluding Service packs). The corresponding list is enabled. You can include more than one Technology Level or Service Pack in the patch catalog.
Note:The list of available Technology Levels and Service Packs depends on a file downloaded from the vendor and stored on your server. To see the identifier list in the patch catalog, you must identify the location of the file in the AIX Updates List File box. For more information, see the AIX Updates List File field in Global configuration parameters list.

By Fix Type

Select one of the following three fix types for a particular update level — All Latest Fixes, All Security Fixes, or All Critical Fixes. Only one Fix Type filter can be included in the patch catalog.

Note: The SUMA download option is only supported for the All Latest Fixes update level.

OS Level

Fixes of a particular type are downloaded for the Operating System Level defined here.

By Fix ID

Create an individual filter for a specific APAR or PTF. Multiple filters of this type are permitted in the patch catalog.

  • Type: Select either APAR or PTF. Multiple filters of this type are permitted in the patch catalog.
  • APAR Id/PTF Id: Enter the identifier for the APAR/PTF.
    If the patch catalog contains this type of filter, you can create an Include/Exclude list as part of the analysis options for a Patching Job based on this patch catalog.

Note: The SUMA download option is only supported for PTF type of filters.


 

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