Update: IBM Notes on MacOS High Sierra Support

Bill Malchisky  November 30 2017 02:00:00 AM

Ever since Apple released High Sierra (macOS 10.13) on 25 September 2017, there have been some interesting hiccups with certain network reliant products. I’ve worked with people on resetting encryption key rings for VPN tools and IPSEC connections, as one example. On the IBM side and as many of you know, Notes on Mac x64 has been a challenge (Including other IBM products). In working very closely with IBM on this issue, I wanted you to know the latest status.
 

Issue Summary
1. If you install Notes fresh on High Sierra, Notes will crash during the installation. If you keep at it, you will be successful, but the number of installation attempts varied a bit in our testing; the Technote (see below) states a second time shall succeed; in some cases we had to go more than that, but in the end, it would install. Thus, the installer instability is a problem;

2. If Notes is installed before upgrading to High Sierra, then Notes will keep working fine upon upgrading the macOS. In testing on my own iMac, installing Notes before upgrading to High Sierra worked well, though, I did notice that occasionally, the background on some icons changed colors until Notes is restarted. Example, the image icon inside an Action Button;

3. Additionally, we observed the installation issue both on the iMac and MBP platforms, so the installer issue does not appear to be hardware related.

Technote on IBM Support for Notes on High Sierra

 
Issue Update
* IBM reported that the fix would be released on 25 October 2017
* As of 30 November, IBM is still working on a quality, stable, reliable update
* IBM promised me an ETA by Friday, 1 December with when the fix will be available for my team to test
* Although conjecture, I suspect the broad reaching changes High Sierra introduced are delaying IBM's release
* With my client, we opened a PMR on 2 October and immediately worked closely with IBM on a fix
* We held (and continue) weekly meetings which include this PMR
* My direct communications with our assigned IBM L2 Support Technician are frequent and on-going
* It is import to note that IBM is also experiencing this issue and escalated internally through their own PMR
* I am not authorized to indicate how high or by whom, but know this matter is getting the correct attention inside IBM


Resolution Request
* My ask of IBM is to provide a stable reliable Notes 9.0.1 installer containing the latest IF12 patch
* That way we can do things in one shot, after waiting so long
* Honestly, we have not received a confirmation on whether they will provide just the installer or combine the patch, but that is our request

 
Let me know if you have any additional questions.

 

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