Change the primary installation

We can use the setmqinst command to set or unset an installation as the primary installation.

About this task

This task applies to UNIX, Linux , and Windows.

The primary installation is the installation to which required system-wide locations refer. For more information about the primary installation, and considerations for choosing your primary installation, see Choosing a primary installation.

If an installation of IBM® WebSphere MQ Version 7.1 or later is coexisting with an installation of IBM WebSphere MQ Version 7.0.1, the IBM WebSphere MQ Version 7.0.1 installation must be the primary. It is flagged as primary when the IBM WebSphere MQ Version 7.1 or later version is installed, and the IBM WebSphere MQ Version 7.1 or later installation cannot be made primary.

During the installation process on Windows, we can specify that the installation is to be the primary installation.

On UNIX and Linux systems, you must issue a setmqinst command after installation to set the installation as the primary installation.

Set the primary installation.

Unset the primary installation.

Set the primary installation

Procedure

To set an installation as the primary installation:

1. Check if an installation is already the primary installation by entering the following command:

    MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH/bin/dspmqinst
   

   where MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH is the installation path of a IBM WebSphere MQ Version 7.1 or later installation.
2. If an existing IBM WebSphere MQ Version 7.1 or later installation is set as the primary installation, unset it by following the instructions in Unset the primary installation. If IBM WebSphere MQ Version 7.0.1 is installed on the system, the primary installation cannot be changed.
3. Make sure that you are logged on with the appropriate authority:
   • As root on UNIX and Linux.
   • As a member of the Administrators group on Windows systems.
4. Enter one of the following commands:
   • To set the primary installation using the path of the installation you want to be the primary installation:

      MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH/bin/setmqinst -i -p MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH
     

   • To set the primary installation using the name of the installation you want to be the primary installation:

      MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH/bin/setmqinst -i -n installationName
     

5. On Windows systems, restart the system.

Unset the primary installation

Procedure

To unset an installation as the primary installation:

1. Check which installation is the primary installation by entering the following command:

    MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH/bin/dspmqinst
   

   where MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH is the installation path of a IBM WebSphere MQ Version 7.1 or later installation.

   If IBM WebSphere MQ Version 7.0.1 is the primary installation, we cannot unset the primary installation.

2. Make sure that you are logged on with the appropriate authority:
   • As root on UNIX and Linux.
   • As a member of the Administrators group on Windows systems.
3. Enter one of the following commands:
   • To unset the primary installation using the path of the installation you no longer want to be the primary installation:

      MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH/bin/setmqinst -x -p MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH
     

   • To unset the primary installation using the name of the installation you no longer want to be the primary installation:

      MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH/bin/setmqinst -x -n installationName