Getting Started with TURNOVER Lifecycle Manager for IBM i

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Understand system requirements, prerequisites, and planning for installing or upgrading TURNOVER® Lifecycle Manager on IBM i.
  • Perform a first-time installation on a single IBM i server.
  • Upgrade from previous versions, either over existing installations or into test environments.
  • Authorize the product using license files.
  • Handle advanced configurations including multiple environments, national languages, iASP setups, and removal procedures.
  • Access additional resources like installation menus and hotsite loading.

This summary distills the 50-page guide (August 2022 edition) into key sections for system administrators. TURNOVER® Lifecycle Manager is an application lifecycle management tool for IBM i, supporting change management, distribution, and multilingual environments. Note: As of October 2025, this appears to be the latest guide based on available sources; check unicomsi.com or softlanding.com for updates.

Key Concepts

  • Libraries and Environments: Uses libraries like SOFTTURN (product), SOFTTURND (data), SOFTTURNE (language), and ARCHIVESRC (source archive). Environments manage multiple data/language setups.
  • Installation Process: Simplified with M4LODRUN command; handles restore, analysis, and install phases automatically.
  • Upgrade Types: Over existing (replaces live system) or to test (separate libraries for experimentation).
  • Licensing: Requires valid license files from UNICOM; applied via commands like M4VFYLIC.
  • Subsystems and Jobs: TSERVER subsystem with autostart jobs (TOMSGRCV, TURNESCQ, TURCRARE, WISEDESK) for monitoring and distribution.
  • iASP Support: Configurations for *SYSBAS, iASP-only, or mixed setups.

Module 1: Preparing to Install or Upgrade

Minimum System Requirements

Prerequisites

  • IBM PTF for TURNOVER® SVN (see Administrator’s Guide).
  • Use QSECOFR or *SECOFR authority profile.
  • Check for existing TURNOVER profile/library.
  • End autostart jobs (TOMSGRCV, TURNESCQ, TURCRARE, WISEDESK/WDDYNUPD).
  • End TSERVER subsystem and TURNOVER® Helpdesk.
  • Ensure no forms are running/distributing; no locks on SOFTTURN/D/E.

Planning the Installation

  • Avoid adding TURNOVER libraries to system/user library lists.
  • Use Product library entry for secure changes.
  • Simplified procedure: One command (M4LODRUN) handles restore/analysis/install.
  • Know procedure: First-time vs. Upgrade.

Module 2: Getting Started on a Single IBM i Server

  • Obtain installation files (TN4WVnnn.savf) from SoftLanding support.

Downloading to PC

  1. Sign on as QSECOFR.
  2. Create library TN4WVnnn and save file TN4WVnnn.
  3. FTP (binary mode) from PC to IBM i save file.

Downloading Directly to IBM i

  • Place in library TN4WVnnn.

Starting the Process

  1. Add library to list: ADDLIBLE TN4WVnnn POSITION(*LAST).
  2. If no M4SYS: RSTOBJ M4SETUP... to QTEMP, then M4SETUP.
    • Or if M4SYS installed: M4SYS/M4LODRUN DSTLIB(TN4WVnnn).
  3. Accept license (F14).
  4. On Installation menu, select 1 and confirm Y.
  5. Proceed to first-time or upgrade panels.

Module 3: Installing for the First Time

What Happens

  • Creates libraries (SOFTTURN/D/E, ARCHIVESRC), profiles (TURNOVER, TOMSGRCV, TURNESCQ), QGPL commands (TURNOVER, STRPWM), TSERVER subsystem, and autostart jobs.
  • For iASP: See Module 7.

Steps

  1. On panel 1: Set libraries and ASP (default 1 or device).
  2. Panel 2: Set type (D=Development, R=Remote).
  3. Panel 3: Set TURNOVER profile password.
  4. Panel 4: Review; set execution (B=Batch recommended).
  5. Submit job (TODEMO); verify completion.
  • If fails: Restart via M4LODRUN or INSTALL menu.

Post-Install

  • Backup SOFTTURND daily.
  • Add STRSBS QGPL/TSERVER to QSTRUP.
  • Sign on as TURNOVER; apply license.
  • Start with TURNOVER command; try tutorial.

Module 4: Upgrading to a New Release

Preparing

  • Backup libraries.
  • Check interfaces/exit programs (no recompiles needed).
  • Installation library TLM2XINST holds save files; delete after.

Running Upgrade

  • From M4LODRUN: Accept license, confirm upgrade.
  • Choose: Over existing (live) or test environment.

Upgrading Over Existing

  • Renames old libraries (TOPRDnnnnn etc.), copies data, loads new commands, sets authorities, creates TSERVER/jobs.
  1. Confirm environments; omit with 4 if needed.
  2. Set batch (B).
  3. Handle objects/locks if prompted (move/delete or bypass).
  4. Submit TOUPGRADE; verify.
  5. Move custom objects; apply license.

Upgrading to Test Environment

  • Copies setup/data to test libraries for experimentation (not mergeable to live).
  • Phases: Copy to test, run parallel (test for features, live for work), activate live.
  1. Option 2 on environment: Set test libraries (SOFTTEST etc.), copy *DFTS (setup only).
  2. Set batch; submit TOUPGRADE.
  3. Access test: SOFTTESTE/TURNOVER.
  4. After testing: Upgrade live (over existing), migrate objects, adjust settings, backup/delete old/test libs.
  • If fails: Check log; restart via M4LODRUN or INSTALL menu.

Post-Upgrade Checks

  • Set *PUBLIC *USE on SOFTTURN/D/E and TURNOVER job description.

Module 5: Authorizing Products

  • License controls use; supplied by UNICOM.

Checking/Applying Licenses

  1. Backup old license.
  2. Rename new to license.new; copy to /home/unicom/licenses/xxx/.
  3. Run M4SYS/M4VFYLIC (or from M4DSPPRD opt 7); set product (*ALL), replace *YES.

Displaying Details

  1. M4SYS/M4DSPPRD PRODCD(xxx).
  2. Option 6: View license file.
  3. Option 7: Verify new; Option 8: Change folder.

Changing Location

  • Use M4SYS/M4CHGLIC; specify code/version/path; copy file.

Module 6: Additional Installation Information

Installation Menu (GO TLM2XINST/INSTALL)

  • 1: Install objects.
  • 2: Send to remotes.
  • 4: View history log.
  • 7: Work with queues.
  • 8: Work with network files.
  • 10: Install secondary language.

Restarting Procedure

  • If interrupted: GO TLM2XINST/INSTALL, option 1.

Applying License Files

  • Use TWRKLIC (auto-runs on expiry) or M4DSPPRD.

Changing System Startup for TSERVER

  • DSPSYSVAL QSTRUPPGM; find source via TDSPOBJD.
  • Edit/recompile QSTRUP to add STRSBS QGPL/TSERVER.

Loading at Hotsite

  • For disaster recovery: Get auth code, restore libraries/profiles, set authorities, apply license.

Using National Language Libraries

  • Language lib holds printer files/help/commands; switch via F22 on main menu.
  • Multiple: Add environment records with matching message files.

Using Multiple Data Libraries

  • For separate groups/products: Duplicate/reload SOFTTURND, add environments.

Maintaining Environment File

  • WRKTOENV: Display/add/change records (product/data/language libs, CCSID).

Impact of Multiple Environments on Distribution

  • Multilingual: Match names on prod; default used otherwise.
  • Multidata: Match environments; use different form number ranges to avoid duplicates.

Effect of OS Level on Distribution

  • Set TGTRLS=*PRV on create commands/global defaults for lower OS prod systems.

Using Permanent Testing Environment

  • Install to separate libs (SOFTTEST etc.); change TURNOVER profile/commands post-install.
  • Apply upgrades to test first by specifying test lib.

Removing TURNOVER® Lifecycle Manager

  • Delete: Libraries, QGPL commands, autostart entries, TSERVER objects, leftover form libs, profiles, /TURNOVER IFS folder.

Module 7: iASP Configurations

Possible Configurations

  • *SYSBAS only: All libs in ASP1-32; allows cross-iASP promotion.
  • iASP only: All libs in same iASP group.
  • Mixed: Product in *SYSBAS, data/language in iASP (data same group).

New Install into iASP

  • SETASPGRP first; set ASP Device on install panel; Y/N per lib.

Upgrade into iASP

  • SETASPGRP; run M4LODRUN or INSTALL opt 1.

Temporary Libraries in iASP

  • Create/set TTMPLIBASP (-1) and TTMPLIBDEV (device) data areas in product lib.

Distribution Considerations

  • In *FTP overrides: Set "Remote product library iASP" on both sender/remote.

Assessment and Next Steps

  • Quiz Ideas: Minimum OS version? Steps to apply license? How to set up test environment?
  • Practice: Install/upgrade in a non-production IBM i; configure iASP if available.
  • Further Learning: TURNOVER® User Guide, Developer’s Guide, Administrator’s Guide; supplements on softlanding.com; contact support (603-924-8818 or tech.support@softlanding.com). Experiment with environments and distributions.

Resources

Resource 1

TURNOVER-IBMi_Getting_Started

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