Image catalog in AS400

What is an .iso file?

An ISO is an archive file of an optical disc. This is basically a type of disk image composed of data written in every sector of the optical disc. If you have noticed in any software installation CD, when you open it it would have several files in it. When you create an ISO image of the CD that would contain all these files in one file that has .iso extension. While creating an Image catalog it is required to transfer all the content of the installation CD to AS400, if you are going to do it via image catalog.

How to create .iso file?

You are required to have ISO converter loaded on the PC or laptop. There are many free ISO converter available for free. You just have to load the CD to CD drive and then use your software to make an ISO file of it.

FTP this ISO file to your AS400 system :-

This can be done by using FTP from your PC or laptop to AS400 system. First go to the location where you have stored your ISO image. FTP the system which you want to transfer the file. You would be required to provide credential and then put the file in the directory.

1-      FTP  <IP address/System name>

2-      Login Id

3-      Password

4-      Bin

5-      PUT library name/filename.savf   filename.savf

6-      Quit

Below is a screen print of the same.

After it has transferred you will see the below messages.

You can verify if this ISO file has loaded to the drive by  iSeries Navigator.
Go to File system>ROOT>Showcase (here Showcase is the directory where I have stored the ISO file).

What is Image Catalog?

This is a image file that enables user to apply fix and software to AS400 without using the physical media and thereby save time and effort. This enables admin to apply patch from remote location.

Create a virtual device, this is required as it would be similar as loading the CD to a drive.
Use below command

CRTDEVOPT DEVD(OPTVRT01) RSRCNAME(*VRT)

This will create a new virtual device named OPTVRT01. You will get below message when it is created.

 Description for device OPTVRT01 created.  

Now, make the virtual device active.

 wrkcfgsts *dev optvrt01

Take option 1 to vary on the device. When you refresh the device should be in ACTIVE status.

Now create image catalog in the directory where you want to store the image catalog. I am using showcase directory.


CRTIMGCLG IMGCLG(SHOWCASE) DIR('/showcase') CRTDIR(*NO)

Once this image catalog has been created, you will receive the below message.

Image catalog SHOWCASE created in library QUSRSYS.

Now, add this image catalog to the optical device.


ADDIMGCLGE IMGCLG(SHOWCASE) FROMFILE(sc_9.1.iso) TOFILE(*fromfile)

You will receive the message

Image catalog entry added to image catalog SHOWCASE.

Now, load this image catalog to the optical device.

Now, you can verify if this is loaded on to the optical device by,


WRKIMGCLGE IMGCLG(SHOWCASE)    



If it is in NOT READY status,
 Then

WRKIMGCLG *ALL

take option 8 to LOAD next to the Image catalog and provide the Optical device name.

Next it should be in ready status.

Image                               ASP                 Device
Catalog     Status      Type     Threshold  Device      Status
                                                               

SHOWCASE    Ready       Optical    *CALC    OPTVRT01    Active  

Now to verify if it is mounted correctly.

WRKIMGCLG

Take option 10 Verify Image Catalog

And take *OTHER in Verify type parameter.

You will receive message as

Image catalog SHOWCASE, type *OTHER verified.

Now this is ready to apply the patch. You just have to use LODRUN command.