VMS73_UPDATE-V0400

[Jefferson Humber]

Does anybody know if there is a VMS_UPDATE-V0400 in the pipeline ?

If so any ideas on an ETA ?

[Jefferson Humber]

Sorry, my last post should of said VMS73_UPDATE-V0400 !

Cheers,

Jeff

[Antoniov.]

There is VMS731_UPDATE-V0400 avaiable for V7.3-1 here http://www5.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/search.do
Also you can find VMS73_UPDATE-V0300 for V7.3 http://www5.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/search.do

Antonio Vigliotti

[Jefferson Humber]

I appreciate the rollup's for other versions. But am only interested in 7.3

I have a system that needs updating, and a newer rollup patch would make my life easier. Otherwise it's V0300 and a load of other patches to install to bring it up to date.

[John Gillings · Accepted solution]

Jeff,

>VMS73_UPDATE If so any ideas on an ETA ?

It's unlikely you'll see another VMS73_UPDATE. There have been a few recent patches released for V7.3, but don't expect too many more. You should be installing V7.3-2.


>I appreciate the rollup's for other versions. But am only interested in 7.3

V7.3-1 and V7.3-2 ARE "rollup's" for V7.3. The dash releases can be thought of as big UPDATE ECOs, but with full QA integration testing to the standard of a normal operating system release.

The official OpenVMS Support Statement has this to say:

"
Enhancement Releases for OpenVMS contain enhancements to existing features and maintenance updates.
The version number increases to show a revision by using a dash (e.g., 7.2-1 for VMS)

Enhancement releases are shipped to service customers who have a valid service update contract, however, License Subscription service is not required.

Application Impact: The release may contain new hardware support, software enhancements and maintenance, but the changes are isolated and have no impact on applications. We are confident that the new release has 100% binary compatibility with the previous release. If an application compatibility problem is discovered, we will assign the problem a high priority and commit to providing a fix.

There is no need for ISVs to test on the new release or produce a new application kit.

"


Note carefully "There is no need for ISVs to test on the new release or produce a new application kit." Applications cannot tell the difference between V7.3, V7.3-1 or V7.3-2 (except that -2 usually runs MUCH faster!)

The idea of the dash releases is that operations staff can treat them like large patches, rather than as an upgrade project.

It always amazes me how quickly some people will install a hot patch image "off the back of the net", but shy away from a fully tested and *guaranteed* application neutral enhancement release.

Please reconsider your reasons for remaining on V7.3. If you don't have any problems at all, then fine, stay where you are. But, that you're asking about an UPDATE kit suggests you may have a problem, in which case V7.3-2 is the right place to go.

[Jan van den Ende]

John,

How I would like to fully agree with you!
And in the past, I did.
But 7.3-1 => 7.3-2 was NOT flawless for us.
And we are not alone in that, Wim even opened a thread about it, and he got several contributions:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=655880

So, yeah... in the good old times. ok; but now in a critical environment I wouldn't go without testing. But that goes for ANY patch!

Jan