IFIX:
An interim fix, or ifix (previously called an emergency fix or efix) is a code update to resolve a specific known problem, or APAR, while an official PTF is undergoing the formal development process.
An APAR is an Authorized Problem Analysis Report. IBM acknowledges that there is some sort of defect in a software program. This report sums up the problem and instructs the software lab to fix it. (IXnnnnn or IYnnnnn number - and not long ago IZnnnnn)
A PTF is a Program Temporary Fix and provides a solution for a problem. (Unnnnnn number for AIX) I guess the U is for UNIX).
Most people use PTF and APAR interchangably. PTF's have the word temporary in them but really are not temporary, they are just a patch.
A temporary patch would be an efix (ifix) that you would get directly from IBM. Ifixes need to be uninstalled before a TL update (as these ifixes should be contained in the new TL level). The terminology is confusing but just think of both PTF's and APAR's as patches. There could be some sort of technical difference between the two but it doesn't really matter.
Starting in AIX 5.3 TL 10 and AIX 6.1 TL 3, the installp command will automatically remove an ifix from the system if you are installing the Technology Level, Service Pack, or PTF that provides the official fix for the problem.
more info: http://www-304.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1012104
install:
emgr -de /mnt/IZ12345.epkg.Z displays some info about an ifix package (-e: e(i)fix package name; emgr -dv3 -e <ifix>: verbose output)
emgr -pe /mnt/IZ12345.epkg.Z preview of the install of given ifix package
emgr -e /mnt/IZ12345.epkg.Z installs the specified ifix (the ifix package should be in compressed state)
listing:
emgr -l lists interim fixes (emgr -lv3: verbose mode listing)
emgr -l -L IZ12345 you can list information about a specific installed ifix by running the command (v3 (verbose) can be used)
emgr -c -L ifix_label an ifix can be verified by running the command (if -L <ifix> is omitted all installed ifixes are checked)
removal:
emgr -r -L iy77276 removes the given interim fix
emgr -r -n 1 removes the specified interim fix with the given ID (ID can be obtained: emgr -lv3)
emgr -r -u VUID removes the specified interim fix with the given VUID (VUID can be obtained: emgr -lv3)
You can also specify different levels of verbosity by using the -v flag. Level 1 is the default and level 3 is the maximum.
(I usually use v3.)
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Concurrent ifix
A concurrent ifix is initially installed to memory, then is optionally committed to disk, either at the time of installation, or at a later time. A concurrent ifix that is installed only in memory will not be loaded when the system reboots. Concurrent ifixes may also be installed in the traditional manner.
A concurrent ifix:
-a feature introduced in AIX 6.1, may be available for ifixes which fix a problem in the kernel, or certain kernel extensions.
-it can update the kernel or kernel extension in memory, without requiring a reboot.
-it is initially installed to memory, then is optionally committed to disk, either at the time of installation, or at a later time.
-if it is installed only in memory will not be loaded when the system reboots.
emgr -i IZ12345.epkg.Z installs a concurrent ifix in memory only (the ifix will not be loaded when the system reboots)
emgr -C -L IZ12345 commits a fix that is only installed in memory to disk, allowing it to be loaded when the system reboots
emgr -Ci IZ12345.epkg.Z installs an ifix in memory and commit it to disk in a single operation
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ifix states
S = Stable ifix was successfully installed in the traditional way (using the -e flag)
Q = Reboot Required ifix was installed successfully, but a reboot is required. After reboot it will be moved to the S state
P = Patched concurrent ifix has been installed only to memory. A reboot will clear the ifix from memory.
N = Not Patched concurrent ifix is not loaded in memory (conc. ifix is installed only in memory, then system was rebooted)
SP = Stable + Patched concurrent ifix has been installed in memory and committed to disk
QP = Reboot Required + Patched concurrent ifix was installed to memory and committed to disk, but the system has not been rebooted
B = Broken something has gone wrong with the installation or removal of the ifix and should be corrected
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Unable to set up Trusted Execution environment for Installation to proceed.
I wanted to install an ifix (emgre -e ...) and received the above error.
IBM says we need to cleanup old/failed installation. lppchk and installp -C did not show any error, then I found a hanging "fuser" process since weeks (ps -ef), and I saw this emgr also does some checks, and uses fuser ... and now I had another hanging "fuser" process. I tried to kill both processes without success, so I did a reboot after that ifix install was successful.