Administrator, nonadministrator, and group mode

Administrator, nonadministrator, and group mode
We can use Installation Manager in administrator mode, nonadministrator mode, or group mode. The mode determines the directories and commands that we use for both Installation Manager and packages.

Once we use a mode to install the product, the installation cannot be undone. For example, if we use the root installation, migrating the installation repository information from the root installation to a non-root installation is not supported. Also, if you change the content, files, or directories in the agent data location directory or subdirectories, you will corrupt our product installation, forcing you to uninstall and reinstall our products.
After we use one user's account to install the product in nonadministrator mode, that installation cannot be transferred to another user's account.

Administrator mode Use when we have administrative privileges in Windows and root privileges in Linux, UNIX, ZOS IBM i, and OS X. We can administer and manage Installation Manager and packages. We can install packages in a common location accessible by all users on a system. We can install only one administrator instance of Installation Manager on a computer.
Nonadministrator mode Install packages in a location accessible only by the user who installs Installation Manager. In this mode, we cannot install packages that require administrator access rights. The packages are installed with nonadministrator rights. We can install only one instance of Installation Manager for each user on a computer.

Group mode Use to enable a group of users to share packages in a common location. These users can manage packages with the same instance of Installation Manager using group mode. Add only trusted users to the group. In group mode, package files installed or updated by one user might be started by other users in the group when these users apply service or uninstall packages with Installation Manager. Group mode is available on Linux, UNIX, IBM z/OS, and the OS X platforms. Group mode is not available on Windows or IBM i. You cannot install a package that is not enabled for group mode. We can use administrator or nonadministrator mode to install packages that are not enabled for group mode. Check the documentation for the package to determine whether the package is enabled for group mode.

Related information

Agent data location
Group mode roadmaps and silent installations
Install as an administrator, nonadministrator, or group

Administrator mode	Use when we have administrative privileges in Windows and root privileges in Linux, UNIX, ZOS IBM i, and OS X. We can administer and manage Installation Manager and packages. We can install packages in a common location accessible by all users on a system. We can install only one administrator instance of Installation Manager on a computer.
Nonadministrator mode	Install packages in a location accessible only by the user who installs Installation Manager. In this mode, we cannot install packages that require administrator access rights. The packages are installed with nonadministrator rights. We can install only one instance of Installation Manager for each user on a computer.
Group mode	Use to enable a group of users to share packages in a common location. These users can manage packages with the same instance of Installation Manager using group mode. Add only trusted users to the group. In group mode, package files installed or updated by one user might be started by other users in the group when these users apply service or uninstall packages with Installation Manager. Group mode is available on Linux, UNIX, IBM z/OS, and the OS X platforms. Group mode is not available on Windows or IBM i. You cannot install a package that is not enabled for group mode. We can use administrator or nonadministrator mode to install packages that are not enabled for group mode. Check the documentation for the package to determine whether the package is enabled for group mode.