Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques to vary on and vary off databases simultaneously across a pair of nodes in a mirroring environment. A dual vary off operation is initiated at a first node of the pair of nodes, the dual vary off operation to be performed on copies of a database respectively stored on the pair of nodes, the operation to be performed in tandem with the second node. At the first node the copy of the database stored on the first node is informed of the dual vary off operation, and an operating system of the first node is also informed of the dual vary off operation. Upon receipt at the first node of an indication from the second node that it has completed its vary off operation, the first node completes the dual vary off operation. An analogous technique is performed for a dual vary on operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for loading new code in the initial program load (IPL) path to reduce system restarts may be provided by receiving a new component for an operating system (OS) running on a computing device; identifying a given component of the OS that is currently running as corresponding to the new component; updating a header of the given component to indicate that the given component is to-be-updated a filepath for the new component; upon initializing the operating system during a subsequent boot of the computing device, checking the header of the given component when loading the given component from an IPL path for the OS to determine that the given component is to-be-updated, and in response: loading the new component into the IPL path according to the filepath within the header of the given component; removing the given component from the IPL path; and executing the new component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques to vary on and vary off databases simultaneously across a pair of nodes in a mirroring environment. A dual vary off operation is initiated at a first node of the pair of nodes, the dual vary off operation to be performed on copies of a database respectively stored on the pair of nodes, the operation to be performed in tandem with the second node. At the first node the copy of the database stored on the first node is informed of the dual vary off operation, and an operating system of the first node is also informed of the dual vary off operation. Upon receipt at the first node of an indication from the second node that it has completed its vary off operation, the first node completes the dual vary off operation. An analogous technique is performed for a dual vary on operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for loading new code in the initial program load (IPL) path to reduce system restarts may be provided by receiving a new component for an operating system (OS) running on a computing device; identifying a given component of the OS that is currently running as corresponding to the new component; updating a header of the given component to indicate that the given component is to-be-updated a filepath for the new component; upon initializing the operating system during a subsequent boot of the computing device, checking the header of the given component when loading the given component from an IPL path for the OS to determine that the given component is to-be-updated, and in response: loading the new component into the IPL path according to the filepath within the header of the given component; removing the given component from the IPL path; and executing the new component.