fix pack level
A user on 11.50.FC3 (Solaris 10) asked how to determine his exact fix-pack level and what the newest fix pack is. Answer: run any Informix executable with -V, or SELECT dbinfo('version','full') FROM sysmaster:sysdual, which shows the full level including sub-levels like FC3W2; the latest 11.50 build was cited as xC8W3/xC9W2, with IBM's current/recommended releases page given as the reference. A side discussion on 11.50's end-of-support concluded no EOS date had been announced, as 11.50 falls under IBM's N-2 'enhanced support' policy, though posters still urged upgrading to 11.70 or 12.10.
Auto-generated by DrWatson from the posts below — may be imperfect; read the full thread.
How do I tell what my current fix-pack, or patch level is? I'm running 11.50.FC3 on Solaris 10. Also, how can I tell what the latest fix pack available for download is? Thanks!!
The output of the -V flag to most of the Informix executables will print
out the full release or in dbaccess:
SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
> SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
(constant)
IBM Informix Dynamic Server Version 12.10.FC2
1 row(s) retrieved.
In your case that would be 11.50.FC3. That is the full fixpack level. If
it was a sub-level it would return something like 11.50.FC3W2.
IB that the current latest release of 11.50 is 11.50.xC8W3, but you should
note that 11.50 is going out-of-support in the fall so you should upgrade
to v11.70.xC8 or later or v12.10.xC3 or later.
Art
Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant
ASK Database Management
Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions
and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am
associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do
those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any
entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.
On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 12:59 PM, MARK UNDERWOOD
<munderwood786@gmail.com>wrote:
> How do I tell what my current fix-pack, or patch level is? I'm running
> 11.50.FC3 on Solaris 10. Also, how can I tell what the latest fix pack
> available for download is? Thanks!!
>
>
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
>
>
--089e0116047875e36d04f4f8cff8
Is there a specific date, and a URL that shows the exact EOL for IDS 11.50?
> To: ids@iiug.org
> From: art.kagel@gmail.com
> Subject: Re: fix pack level [32746]
> Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:16:23 -0400
>
> The output of the -V flag to most of the Informix executables will print
> out the full release or in dbaccess:
>
> SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
> > SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
>
> (constant)
>
> IBM Informix Dynamic Server Version 12.10.FC2
>
> 1 row(s) retrieved.
>
> In your case that would be 11.50.FC3. That is the full fixpack level. If
> it was a sub-level it would return something like 11.50.FC3W2.
>
> IB that the current latest release of 11.50 is 11.50.xC8W3, but you should
> note that 11.50 is going out-of-support in the fall so you should upgrade
> to v11.70.xC8 or later or v12.10.xC3 or later.
>
> Art
>
> Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant
> ASK Database Management
>
> Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/
>
> Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions
> and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am
> associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do
> those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any
> entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.
>
> On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 12:59 PM, MARK UNDERWOOD
> <munderwood786@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> > How do I tell what my current fix-pack, or patch level is? I'm running
> > 11.50.FC3 on Solaris 10. Also, how can I tell what the latest fix pack
> > available for download is? Thanks!!
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
*******************************************************************************
> > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
> >
> >
>
> --089e0116047875e36d04f4f8cff8
>
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
>
The official end-of-support date for 11.50 has not yet been announced.
However, IBM's commitment has always been to support two concurrent minor
level releases (so 12.10 and 11.70) so we all expect to see an announcement
to come out soon. That is based on personal expectation not any special
knowledge.
BTW, here's the link to the current and recommended releases page:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27014361
Art
Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant
ASK Database Management
Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions
and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am
associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do
those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any
entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.
On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 2:30 PM, LARRY SORENSEN <lsorensen25@msn.com> wrote:
> Is there a specific date, and a URL that shows the exact EOL for IDS 11.50?
>
> > To: ids@iiug.org
> > From: art.kagel@gmail.com
> > Subject: Re: fix pack level [32746]
> > Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:16:23 -0400
> >
> > The output of the -V flag to most of the Informix executables will print
> > out the full release or in dbaccess:
> >
> > SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
> > > SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
> >
> > (constant)
> >
> > IBM Informix Dynamic Server Version 12.10.FC2
> >
> > 1 row(s) retrieved.
> >
> > In your case that would be 11.50.FC3. That is the full fixpack level. If
> > it was a sub-level it would return something like 11.50.FC3W2.
> >
> > IB that the current latest release of 11.50 is 11.50.xC8W3, but you
> should
> > note that 11.50 is going out-of-support in the fall so you should upgrade
> > to v11.70.xC8 or later or v12.10.xC3 or later.
> >
> > Art
> >
> > Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant
> > ASK Database Management
> >
> > Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/
> >
> > Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions
> > and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I
> am
> > associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do
> > those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any
> > entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.
> >
> > On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 12:59 PM, MARK UNDERWOOD
> > <munderwood786@gmail.com>wrote:
> >
> > > How do I tell what my current fix-pack, or patch level is? I'm running
> > > 11.50.FC3 on Solaris 10. Also, how can I tell what the latest fix pack
> > > available for download is? Thanks!!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > --089e0116047875e36d04f4f8cff8
> >
> >
> >
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
> >
>
>
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
>
>
--001a113441ae751ca004f4f9f2cc
Thank you for the information!!
> To: ids@iiug.org
> From: art.kagel@gmail.com
> Subject: Re: fix pack level [32748]
> Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:37:51 -0400
>
> The official end-of-support date for 11.50 has not yet been announced.
> However, IBM's commitment has always been to support two concurrent minor
> level releases (so 12.10 and 11.70) so we all expect to see an announcement
> to come out soon. That is based on personal expectation not any special
> knowledge.
>
> BTW, here's the link to the current and recommended releases page:
>
> http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27014361
>
> Art
>
> Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant
> ASK Database Management
>
> Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/
>
> Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions
> and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am
> associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do
> those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any
> entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.
>
> On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 2:30 PM, LARRY SORENSEN <lsorensen25@msn.com> wrote:
>
> > Is there a specific date, and a URL that shows the exact EOL for IDS 11.50?
> >
> > > To: ids@iiug.org
> > > From: art.kagel@gmail.com
> > > Subject: Re: fix pack level [32746]
> > > Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:16:23 -0400
> > >
> > > The output of the -V flag to most of the Informix executables will print
> > > out the full release or in dbaccess:
> > >
> > > SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
> > > > SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
> > >
> > > (constant)
> > >
> > > IBM Informix Dynamic Server Version 12.10.FC2
> > >
> > > 1 row(s) retrieved.
> > >
> > > In your case that would be 11.50.FC3. That is the full fixpack level. If
> > > it was a sub-level it would return something like 11.50.FC3W2.
> > >
> > > IB that the current latest release of 11.50 is 11.50.xC8W3, but you
> > should
> > > note that 11.50 is going out-of-support in the fall so you should upgrade
> > > to v11.70.xC8 or later or v12.10.xC3 or later.
> > >
> > > Art
> > >
> > > Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant
> > > ASK Database Management
> > >
> > > Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/
> > >
> > > Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions
> > > and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I
> > am
> > > associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do
> > > those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any
> > > entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.
> > >
> > > On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 12:59 PM, MARK UNDERWOOD
> > > <munderwood786@gmail.com>wrote:
> > >
> > > > How do I tell what my current fix-pack, or patch level is? I'm running
> > > > 11.50.FC3 on Solaris 10. Also, how can I tell what the latest fix pack
> > > > available for download is? Thanks!!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
*******************************************************************************
> > > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > --089e0116047875e36d04f4f8cff8
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
*******************************************************************************
> > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
*******************************************************************************
> > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
> >
> >
>
> --001a113441ae751ca004f4f9f2cc
>
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
>
Currently, Informix is under an N-2 policy. There is an URL somewhere...
So I wouldn't expect an EOS announcement before whatever comes next after
12.10 (13?!).
Having said that a customer with active support running on 11.50 is wasting
a lot of features.... and should make better use of their investment... and
yes, I'm fully aware that upgrading is also a cost (test, plan, test....
etc....)
Regards.
Em 19/03/2014 18:38, "Art Kagel" <art.kagel@gmail.com> escreveu:
> The official end-of-support date for 11.50 has not yet been announced.
> However, IBM's commitment has always been to support two concurrent minor
> level releases (so 12.10 and 11.70) so we all expect to see an announcement
> to come out soon. That is based on personal expectation not any special
> knowledge.
>
> BTW, here's the link to the current and recommended releases page:
>
> http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27014361
>
> Art
>
> Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant
> ASK Database Management
>
> Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/
>
> Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions
> and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am
> associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do
> those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any
> entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.
>
> On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 2:30 PM, LARRY SORENSEN <lsorensen25@msn.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Is there a specific date, and a URL that shows the exact EOL for IDS
> 11.50?
> >
> > > To: ids@iiug.org
> > > From: art.kagel@gmail.com
> > > Subject: Re: fix pack level [32746]
> > > Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:16:23 -0400
> > >
> > > The output of the -V flag to most of the Informix executables will
> print
> > > out the full release or in dbaccess:
> > >
> > > SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
> > > > SELECT dbinfo( 'version', 'full' ) from sysmaster:sysdual;
> > >
> > > (constant)
> > >
> > > IBM Informix Dynamic Server Version 12.10.FC2
> > >
> > > 1 row(s) retrieved.
> > >
> > > In your case that would be 11.50.FC3. That is the full fixpack level.
> If
> > > it was a sub-level it would return something like 11.50.FC3W2.
> > >
> > > IB that the current latest release of 11.50 is 11.50.xC8W3, but you
> > should
> > > note that 11.50 is going out-of-support in the fall so you should
> upgrade
> > > to v11.70.xC8 or later or v12.10.xC3 or later.
> > >
> > > Art
> > >
> > > Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant
> > > ASK Database Management
> > >
> > > Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/
> > >
> > > Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own
> opinions
> > > and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I
> > am
> > > associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do
> > > those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any
> > > entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.
> > >
> > > On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 12:59 PM, MARK UNDERWOOD
> > > <munderwood786@gmail.com>wrote:
> > >
> > > > How do I tell what my current fix-pack, or patch level is? I'm
> running
> > > > 11.50.FC3 on Solaris 10. Also, how can I tell what the latest fix
> pack
> > > > available for download is? Thanks!!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> > > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > --089e0116047875e36d04f4f8cff8
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
> >
> >
>
> --001a113441ae751ca004f4f9f2cc
>
>
>
>
*******************************************************************************
> Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.
>
>
--047d7bd6ac0686ea4904f4fab77c
Hi Art, Are you sure 11.50 is going out of support that soon? I would take "the fall" to mean 30th September 2014, since 30th September has been a common end-of-support date for IBM/Informix products. There is nothing on http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/support/lifecycle/ about this and in the past a decent amount of notice is given. There are products on that page with advertised end-of-support dates in 2018. If it is happening in 2014, IBM should hurry up and make an official announcement. I think there's unlikely to be any generally available fix pack beyond 11.50.xC9W2 so even late adopters should now be looking at 11.70 or 12.10. Ben.
Ben: As I said, no official word, just my gut. As Fernando stated, anyone who is on support and still using 11.50 is missing out on new features, expanded SQL support, improved optimizer operations, etc. by not upgrading to 11.70 or 12.10. So EOS or not, additional fixpacks or not, folks should be planning to upgrade. Art Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant ASK Database Management Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/ Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves. On Thu, Mar 20, 2014 at 1:54 AM, BENJAMIN THOMPSON < benjamin.thompson@bskyb.com> wrote: > Hi Art, > > Are you sure 11.50 is going out of support that soon? I would take "the > fall" > to mean 30th September 2014, since 30th September has been a common > end-of-support date for IBM/Informix products. > > There is nothing on http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/support/lifecycle/ > about this and in the past a decent amount of notice is given. There are > products on that page with advertised end-of-support dates in 2018. If it > is > happening in 2014, IBM should hurry up and make an official announcement. > > I think there's unlikely to be any generally available fix pack beyond > 11.50.xC9W2 so even late adopters should now be looking at 11.70 or 12.10. > > Ben. > > > > ******************************************************************************* > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > --001a11c36ca8fd39e404f507a202
This must be clear for existing 11.50 customers. Although I disagree with this policy, it's the official policy (and I'm sure most customers like it): Informix 11.50 is under enhanced support policy. In very simplistic and practical terms, this is "N-2". Full details are here: http://www-01.ibm.com/software/support/lifecycle/faq.html#n-2%20support%20initia tive And in the Product LiIfecycle page it's marked as "E" (enhanced) instead of "S" (standard): http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/support/lifecycle/ So, there is no announced EOS and I wouldn't expect one before whatever comes after 12.10. So, if customers prefer to hold still and waste the new functionality they're free to do it without being afraid they'll loose support in a few months. As a side note, the reasons why I disagree with this policy are simple: 1- Currently if a customer needs a new fix on 11.50 it will be a special build. I've been told these are "expensive" 2- It seems to be easier/faster to get fixes on 11.70 and 12.10 3- No one on the market does this... last time I checked there was only one version of Oracle being supported (now there should be 2 as they released 12c) 4- It contributes to keep customers on old versions that more easily loose on a feature comparison side by side. And this happens every day in customer sites 5- It delays the adoption of new features. If the version in place has a new feature it's easy to use it. If you need to upgrade first, people tend to use workarounds 6- Upgrades are opportunities to get back in touch with customers (through services and support) My 2 cents... On Thu, Mar 20, 2014 at 10:57 AM, Art Kagel <art.kagel@gmail.com> wrote: > Ben: > > As I said, no official word, just my gut. As Fernando stated, anyone who > is on support and still using 11.50 is missing out on new features, > expanded SQL support, improved optimizer operations, etc. by not upgrading > to 11.70 or 12.10. So EOS or not, additional fixpacks or not, folks should > be planning to upgrade. > > Art > > Art S. Kagel, Principal Consultant > ASK Database Management > > Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/ > > Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions > and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am > associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do > those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any > entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves. > > On Thu, Mar 20, 2014 at 1:54 AM, BENJAMIN THOMPSON < > benjamin.thompson@bskyb.com> wrote: > > > Hi Art, > > > > Are you sure 11.50 is going out of support that soon? I would take "the > > fall" > > to mean 30th September 2014, since 30th September has been a common > > end-of-support date for IBM/Informix products. > > > > There is nothing on > http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/support/lifecycle/ > > about this and in the past a decent amount of notice is given. There are > > products on that page with advertised end-of-support dates in 2018. If it > > is > > happening in 2014, IBM should hurry up and make an official announcement. > > > > I think there's unlikely to be any generally available fix pack beyond > > 11.50.xC9W2 so even late adopters should now be looking at 11.70 or > 12.10. > > > > Ben. > > > > > > > > > > ******************************************************************************* > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > > > > > --001a11c36ca8fd39e404f507a202 > > > > ******************************************************************************* > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > -- Fernando Nunes Portugal http://informix-technology.blogspot.com My email works... but I don't check it frequently... --089e013d0502e3a76904f507f729