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Upgrade FAQ

Frequently Asked Rocket AS or ICE Upgrade Questions

How long will an upgrade take?

This depends on the methods chosen and the administrative arrangements in your IT department. Typically it will take from 1 day to 1 week.

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How quickly have other Rocket customers upgraded?

Some customers have installed and had Rocket AS or ICE in production within a day!

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What resources will be required?

Typically it requires 1 systems programmer. For testing your applications, you need someone familiar with running the applications.

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What skills are required?

The systems programmer needs to be able to read English (for the Program Directory and other manuals) and to be comfortable with using TSO and SMP/E (for MVS) or CMS and VMSES/E (for VM).

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Is it difficult?

No - we get very few upgrade installation queries from our customers.

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How do I migrate my AS or ICE database to Rocket AS or ICE?

No migration is required.

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Do my applications need changing?

No. A major design objective of Rocket is to give total upward compatibility with all previous versions of Rocket AS and ICE and IBM versions.

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What will be the total elapsed time?

If you are upgrading from IBM Versions - From asking Rocket for a quote to finishing the upgrade can take as little as one week. Delays are experienced mostly for administrative reasons, such as getting contracts signed.

Once Rocket receives a signed contract (this can be by fax), you can either download the code yourself from Rocket Service Pages (contact us for an RSP userid) or have the product tapes and Program Directory mailed to you which may take 1-3 working days. The upgrade will then take about a week.

If you are upgrading from Rocket AS or ICE version 5 or version 6.1 - upgrading can be even quicker. Simply contact us for a Rocket Service Pages (RSP) userid and download the code yourself from Rocket Service Pages (RSP).

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What support can Rocket provide?

Rocket provides a web based self-service resource for our customers to obtain maintenance information, documentation, and technical support for all Rocket and Rocket brand products. Registered customers can access the portal, using their login account at: http://www.rocketsoftware.com/support.

Customers who have not yet registered for a login account can do so by selecting the “Need an account?” link on the customer portal login page.

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Is support available out-of-hours?

The Rocket Customer Portal provides:

  • 24/7 download access to available products, fixes, and documentation.
  • An easy, instant method to submit requests for support.
  • The ability to check the status of an open support issue.
  • An expansive database to research and self-troubleshoot known technical issues.
  • A direct link to Rocket’s global team of technical support engineers and software developers.

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Does Rocket provide on-site installation support?

This should not be necessary. However, Rocket can provide on-site support for a fee if required. You may also want to consider our "Remote Diagnostic" and video conferencing service, which is a standard service available to Rocket customers. Local Rocket Business Associates may also be able to provide support if required.

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If I have a problem with Rocket AS or ICE can I revert to a previous version?

Yes, provided you are not relying on the new function provided in Rocket AS or ICE, your tables and applications will continue to work (although no support is available for IBM versions). However, this is very unlikely to be needed.

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Are there any changes in operation?

There are very few changes and they are documented in the Enhancements and Changes manual. All of them are minor and generally cause no problem whatsoever. Click here to view the Rocket AS and ICE manuals online(select Display Bookshelves and then the release of AS you require).

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What options do I have for testing my new installation?

Option 1: You can set up a test system alongside your production system if you wish. This will take longer because the systems programmer will need to set up a parallel set of definitions (for example VTAM definitions).

Option 2: You can install the Rocket AS software alongside your existing installation in a separate set of libraries and the users can switch between them as required for testing.

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What testing does Rocket recommend?

If you already have a test or development environment then it may make sense to upgrade that first and then upgrade the production environment when you are confident that it is correctly installed. If you do not have a test or development environment already then Rocket recommends Option 2 above.

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How do I set up Rocket AS or ICE alongside an earlier version?

Installing with MVS - On MVS the best way to do this is to use a simple naming convention to distinguish between the two levels. For example, install Rocket AS or ICE V 6.2 in data sets with high level qualifiers of ASPP.V6R2. Then provide different EXECs, CLISTs, or logon procedures to allocate the appropriate set of data sets.

Installing with VM - The use of high level qualifiers does not apply with CMS files. Another way to control which level of AS or ICE you use is to LINK to different mini-disks or ACCESS different SFS directories for the different levels.

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How do I go about planning the installation?

Refer to the appropriate Rocket AS Program Directory. Click here to view the AS and ICE manuals online (select Display Bookshelves and then the release of AS you require).

Click here to view a summary of the steps involved in installing AS and ICE Version 6 on an MVS system.

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What are the software pre-requisites for Rocket AS or ICE?

Rocket AS and ICE runs with all the latest software levels (for example DB2 Version 8 and DB2 9, all levels of z/OS and all levels of z/VM). The minimum software levels for Rocket AS are essentially the same as for earlier versions. However Rocket does not use FFST, nor does it support the CICS client. Rocket AS or ICE V 5.3 (or later) will not run on VM/ESA v1.1.5 (370 Feature). The Program Directory lists some recommended maintenance. However, if your existing level is running satisfactorily, you should not need any extra maintenance before upgrading to Rocket.

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Are there any extra considerations for IBM versions older than V 4.2?

Yes. These are covered by the AS V 5.2 level of the AS Enhancements and Changes manual. To view the Rocket AS Version 5.2 Enhancements and Changes manual in PDF format click here. The upgrade is still very straightforward. If you are considering upgrading from IBM AS v1, 2, or 3, please email us at as.support@rocketsoftware.com for additional information and guidance.

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What do I receive from Rocket?

The material you receive from Rocket will vary depending if you downloaded some of the code and other information from the Rocket web site or if everything is mailed to you. Available material includes:

  • AS Product Code - This material can be:
    • Downloaded from Rocket Service Pages (RSP). Contact us for an RSP userid.
    • Sent to you on a CD called AS, ICE Products and Publications
    • Sent to you on a tape cartridge (3480, 3490, 3590 or 4mm DAT formats available)
  • Other Product Code - This includes other software such as Client Connections and Rocket Shuttle AS Edition. This material can be:
    • Downloaded from Rocket Service Pages (RSP).
    • Sent to you on a CD called AS Link.
  • Publication materials - This material can be:
    • Downloaded from Rocket Service Pages (RSP).
    • Viewed and/or download via the Rocket website.
    • Included on a CD-ROM called AS, ICE Products and Publications which can be sent to you upon request. The publications are available in PDF and IBM BookManager formats on this CD.
    • Printed copies of the Program Directory can be sent to you upon request.

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    Licensed customers of AS or ICE V 5 or later can download the latest release from the Rocket Customer Portal. Alternatively send an email to as.sales@rocketsoftware.com

    If you are upgrading from Rocket AS or ICE click here to upgrade to the latest Rocket AS or ICE.

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Support and Service for IBM AS and IBM ICE Discontinued

IBM discontinued support and service for all versions of IBM AS and IBM ICE. This includes all releases up to and including IBM AS/ICE \Version 4.2.

To be fully supported, you must now upgrade from an IBM version of AS and ICE to Rocket AS (formerly ASTRAC AS or ICE (formerly ASTRAC ICE).