Well, it was foreshadowed here on IBM-Main not too long ago, probably by Marna. Now its in writing…. Get your z/OSMF instances functional now! After January 2022 orders using the custompac dialogs will be gone! https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/7/897/ENUS221-057/index.html&request_locale=en Availability of the z/OS ServerPac as a portable software instance and the removal of CustomPac dialog support IBM intends to provide z/OS V2.5 as a portable software instance. With this change, IBM plans to discontinue support for the CustomPac dialog method of installation for all IBM software products in Shopz in January 2022. Clients should prepare their driving system with z/OSMF now to accommodate this strategic direction and ensure that Shopz-orderable software can be installed in the future. With an installation strategy that was developed in collaboration with leading industry software vendors, IBM continues to make great strides in delivering z/OS software. Today, CICS®, IMS, Db2, and the related licensed programs can be ordered as a ServerPac in a portable software instance format, installable with z/OSMF Software Management. Building on that momentum, IBM intends to provide z/OS V2.5 in a portable software instance format. To ensure that clients can install Shopz-orderable software in the future, it is recommended that clients take steps to prepare their driving system for z/OSMF-based installations. For an overview of ServerPac with z/OSMF Software Management and the steps to follow, see the ServerPac Installation using z/OSMF content solution website. Here, clients can find a sample portable software instance that can be used to verify that their z/OS driving system is operational for installing a CICS, IMS, Db2, or z/OS ServerPac. Care is advised when clients plan to install z/OS V2.5, because the delivery choices are expected to change in Shopz in January 2022. At the general availability of z/OS V2.5, except for z/OS V2.4, and prior to January 2022, IBM intends to make all IBM z/OS software on Shopz orderable as a ServerPac, and installable as a portable software instance or by using the CustomPac dialog. It is not intended that z/OS V2.4 ServerPac will be offered as a portable software instance. Prior to January 2022, all other software (CICS, IMS, Db2, z/OS V2.5, and licensed programs) are planned to be offered as ServerPac orders deliverable through z/OSMF or the CustomPac dialog. In January 2022, the CustomPac dialog delivery option is planned to be removed for all software, including CICS, IMS, Db2, z/OS V2.5, and all licensed programs. Thereafter, it is planned that all software that is orderable as a ServerPac must be installed with z/OSMF Software Management. Although it is planned that z/OSMF will become a driving system requirement, it would be a requirement only for the system in a client's enterprise from which software installation activities are performed. However, clients might find that using z/OSMF throughout their enterprise offers tremendous benefits. If clients cannot meet the z/OSMF driving system requirements for ServerPac, the Customized Offerings Driver (5751-COD) is available on Shopz. It provides a z/OS system with z/OSMF, which will be activated at z/OS V2.5 availability.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
