IBM Global Services

ITIL Foundation Course V1.0

Introduction to the IT Infrastructure Library

Release Management

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Unit 08
Release Management

Content:

ƒ Release Management – objective and overview

ƒ Responsibilities and obligations
ƒ Some definitions
ƒ Important aspects:
– Definitive software library/definitive hardware store
– Software release
ƒ Benefits, costs, risks
ƒ Best practices
ƒ Summary

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Release Management
Integration into the IPW Model

Source: IPW Model is a trade mark of Quint Wellington and KPN Telecoms

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Release Management
Mission Statement

Release Management takes a holistic view of a change to an IT service, and

should ensure that all aspects of a release, both technical and non-technical, are
considered together.

Release Management should be used for:

ƒ Large or critical hardware rollouts, especially when there is a dependency on a
related software change in the business systems, in other words not every single
PC that needs to be installed
ƒ Major software rollouts, especially initial instances of new applications along with
accompanying software distribution and support procedures for subsequent use if
required
ƒ Bundling or batching related sets of changes into manageable-sized units
Release Management undertakes the planning, design, building, configuration,
and testing of hardware and software to create a set of release components for a
live environment. Activities also cover the planning, preparation, and scheduling
of a release to many customers and locations.

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Release Management
Goal

ƒ Plan and oversee successful rollout of software and hardware releases

ƒ Design and implement efficient procedures for distribution and installation of
changes to IT systems
ƒ Ensure changes in hardware and software are traceable, authorized, tested, and
correct
ƒ Communicate and manage expectations to the customer during planning and
rollout of releases
ƒ Agree content and rollout plan for plan plan

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Release Management
Why Release Management

Software is increasingly considered as an important capital value with even a

strategic importance. The control of software is therefore mandatory. Some of the
most important aspects are:
ƒ Preventive measures (for example, to avoid pirate copies)
ƒ Consistency (for example, compatibility of client programmes with server
programmes)
ƒ Licences (for example, software should not be used by more than the
agreed number of users simultaneously)

Release management is responsible for the storage of authorized software (self-

developed, purchased or licensed applications, or utility software), the release of
software in a production environment, the distribution of software to remote
locations, as well as the implementation of software to make it operational.

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Release Management
Tasks

Control of the
Definitive Software
Library (DSL) and
DHS
Definition of release
guidelines

Distribution of
software, hardware,
Release and linked CIs
Release
Management
Management

Performing software
Monitoring of the and hardware audits
release creation (using CMDB)

Management of
the releases

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Release Management
Definitions

Release: a collection of authorized changes to an IT service. Often divided into:

ƒ Major software releases and hardware upgrades
ƒ Minor software releases and hardware upgrades
ƒ Emergency software and hardware fixes
Release Unit: portion of IT infrastructure that is normally released together.
Full Release: all components of the Release Unit are built, tested, and implemented
together. Reduced likelihood of untested errors; longer time to implement.
Delta Release: includes only those CIs in the Release Unit that have actually changed
since the last release.
Package Release: grouping of Full and Delta Release to reduce the frequency of
releases. Reduces probability of outdated or incompatible software in use.
Definitive Software Library (DSL): Secure compound containing all definitive
authorized versions of all SW CIs (master copies). Also for master copies of
documentation.
Definitive Hardware Store: secure area containing definitive hardware spares.
CMDB: contains definitions of planned releases, and CIs impacted by planned and past
releases.

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9
Release Policy
Release Policy

Release Planning
Release Planning Development

Design,
Development Environment

Design,
Environment
Release Management

Development,
Development,
Procurement
Procurement

CMDB
IBM Global Services

CMDB with
Build
Build & Configure
& Configure

ITIL Foundation Course | Student material v1.0

with Definitive
Fit-for-Purpose
Fit-for-Purpose
Testing
Testing
Controlled
Major Activities of Release Management

Controlled Test

Definitive Software

Release Acceptance
Release Acceptance
Software Library
Test Environment
Environment

Roll-Out Planning
Roll-Out Planning
Library (DSL)
(DSL)

Communication,
Communication,
Preparation,
Preparation,
Training
Training

Distribution
Distribution &&
Live
Live

Installation
Installation
Environment
Environment

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User
User Service
Service
Individual software installation Provider
Provider

Software roll-out
Software
Software Software
Software Installation
Installation Software
Software
installation Configuration
Configuration Function
Functiontesting
testing management
installation transmission
transmission monitoring
monitoring management

System reload

Update of the CMDB

Documentation
Documentation of
ofthe
the Transmission
Transmission of
oferror
error
Configuration
Configuration Hardware
Hardware inventory
inventory CMDB
CMDB
software
software configuration
configuration protocols
protocols

Application support
Remote
Remote operation
operationof
of the
the Application
Application
Applications
Applications Guidance
Guidance to
to users
users Configuration
Configuration check
check support
application
application support

System support
System
System Update66 406.73999 l413.639799
Update / configuration of PC and308rg-0.0004
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Updates and
and 0 403.9799
Installation
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Installation System
System
technology
technology technology patches
patches of
ofupdates
updates support
support

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Release Management
DSL and DHS

DSL = Definitive Software Library

contains the master copies of all
controlled software in an organization
Quality Control
(Viruses / Licence /
Test /
DHS = Definitive Hardware Store Logical Completeness)
Storage
secure storage of definitive hardware
spares
Release issue
ƒ These are spare components and
assemblies that are maintained at
the same level as the comparative DSL
Software and
systems within the live environment. linked
Physical
ƒ Details of these components and Distribution
Configuration
Items
their respective builds and contents
are comprehensively recorded in the Physical
Storage
CMDB.

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Release Management
Software Release

Release Unit
Determines the content of the
software package
Network
Computer Release Types
Mainframes
ƒ Full Release (All software CIs from
Software
the release are built, tested, and
Management implemented together.)
Internet
System
Software ƒ Delta Release (includes only those
Software
Distribution CIs within the Release unit that
Distribution
have actually changed or are new
Planning
CDs since the last full or delta release.)
ƒ Package Release (individual
Laptops releases (full units, delta releases,
Client/Server
or both) are grouped together to
form Package Releases.)
PCs
ƒ Emergency Fix

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Release Management
Benefits

ƒ Greater success rate in hardware and software release, hence improved QOS delivered to
the business
ƒ Consistency in the release processes of hardware and software environments
ƒ Less disruption of service to business by synchronizing releases having impact on different
components
ƒ Assurance that hardware and software in use is of known quality, because releases are built
properly (quality control, testing, under Change Management)
ƒ More stable environment, as changes are bundled into releases, hence fewer
implementations required
ƒ Better expectation level because of release schedule
ƒ Audit trail of changes
ƒ Control and safeguarding of hardware and software assets
ƒ Higher rate of changes can be absorbed without affecting IT QOS by using a release
comprising multiple changes
ƒ Lower probability of illegal copies in environment
ƒ Easier detection of wrong versions and unauthorized copies
ƒ Reduced time to release and fewer delays

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Release Management
Costs

ƒ Resources
– Software: supported software tools, database
– Security for DSL
– Hardware and equipment, especially data storage
– Spare components (DHS)
– Network resources (remote control)

ƒ Staff:
– Salary, training
– Tests

ƒ Tailoring of the process

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Release Management
Risks

Potential problem areas:

ƒ Establishment of version and release guidelines with external suppliers

ƒ Bypass defined procedures
ƒ Creation of the definitive software library
ƒ DSL integration using automatic software distribution
ƒ Ensure that version numbering guidelines comply with releases
ƒ Staff resistance to procedures because of lack of knowledge of benefits.
Education is required.

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Release Management
Best Practices

ƒ Physical storage of all operational software in the definitive software library

(DSL)
ƒ Distribution of each software item from the DSL. Use of the DSL as source
for distribution.
ƒ Integration of Release Management (operational), Change Management
(control), and Configuration Management (control and administration)
ƒ Control of each software item using release, version, and package
guidelines
ƒ Release Management process also for additionally purchased software (not
only for self-developed software)

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Release Management
Summary

ƒ Release Management undertakes the planning, design, building, configuration,

and testing of hardware and software to create a set of release components for a
live environment. The focus is to protect the live environment and services
through the implementation of formal procedures and release checks.
ƒ A Release is a collection of authorized changes to an IT service.
ƒ Responsibilities: control of the DSL, definition, building and management of
software releases, distribution of software CIs, software audits
ƒ Release types: Full, Package, Delta Release, and Emergency Fix
ƒ DSL and DHS
ƒ Process relationship
– Release Management (Operational)
– Change Management (Control).
– Configuration Management (Control and Administration).

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