(Dist) Recording response files to install the product

Use the Installation Manager GUI to record response files used to install the product.

Prepare the system where we want to install the product

Install IBM Installation Manager and verify that we can access the product repositories.

IBM Installation Manager Version 1.8.5 or later is required to install the product.

When recording a response file, the selections that we make in Installation Manager are stored in an XML file. When we run Installation Manager in silent mode, Installation Manager uses the data in the XML response file to install packages. For authenticated repositories, recording the installation also creates a credential storage file that stores authentication information.

For more information about response files, see the IBM Installation Manager documentation.

Tasks

1. Optional: If we are installing from an authenticated remote repository and want to secure credentials, create a master password file.

   The master password file is a text file containing a passphrase such as "This text is the master password." This file is used to secure authentication credentials.

   If we create a master password file and use it when we create credentials, we must always specify the master password file.

   Tip: To secure this file, set permissions to restrict access to this file as appropriate for our operating system.

2. From a command line, change to the eclipse subdirectory in the directory where we installed Installation Manager.

3. Start Installation Manager from the command line using the -record option.

   Important: For authenticated repositories, specify the -secureStorageFile option and a location to create a credential storage file. The storage file stores credentials for URLs that require authentication, such as remote repositories. This credential storage file is secured with the optional master password file.

   For example:

   • (Windows) Administrator or non-administrator:
     IBMIM.exe -skipInstall "C:\temp\imRegistry" -secureStorageFile C:\IM\credential.store -masterPasswordFile C:\IM\master_password.txt -record C:\temp\install_response_file.xml

   • (UNIX) Administrator:
     ./IBMIM -skipInstall /var/temp/imRegistry -secureStorageFile /var/IM/credential.store -masterPasswordFile /var/IM/master_password.txt -record /var/temp/install_response_file.xml

   • (UNIX) Non-administrator:
     ./IBMIM -skipInstall user_home/var/temp/imRegistry -secureStorageFile user_home/var/IM/credential.store -masterPasswordFile user_home/var/IM/master_password.txt -record user_home/var/temp/install_response_file.xml

   Tip: Specifying the -skipInstall parameter records the response file without actually installing the product, which speeds up the recording.

   If we use a temporary data location with the -skipInstall parameter, Installation Manager writes the installation registry to the specified data location while recording. When we start Installation Manager again without the -skipInstall parameter, we then can use response file to install against the real installation registry.

   Do not use the -skipInstall operation on the actual agent data location used by Installation Manager. This is unsupported. Use a clean writable location, and re-use that location for future recording sessions.

4. When a window opens that requests credentials for the authenticated remote repository, enter the correct credentials, select Save password, and click OK.

   The following files are created:

   • A response file that installs the product offering, such as install_response_file.xml
   • A credential storage file to store the authentication information for our repository, such as credential.store
   • A master password text file to secure credential storage file, such as master_password.txt

5. Use the response files to install the product.

Related

Install the product offerings on distributed operating systems using the GUI.