Creating a custom software package

This topic describes how to use the Custom Package Editor in IBM Director.

Use the Custom Package Editor to import the software and build a software package without using a wizard. You can specify the files, target directory names and paths, and installation programs or batch files that perform the software installation.

Complete the following steps to import and build a software package:

  1. In the IBM Director Console Tasks pane, double-click the Software Distribution task.
  2. In the Software Distribution Manager window, double-click Custom Package Editor.
  3. In the Create Custom Package window, in the General page, specify the package name and any distribution options and prerequisites.
  4. On the Files page, specify the files to use by navigating to each file in the Source File System pane and clicking Add. You can change whether the files are displayed from the local management console or from the management server by selecting from the list at the top of the pane.
    Note: If you want to include all subdirectories in a parent directory, select the Include subfolders check box or the Save full path information check box if maintaining the file structure is important; then, select the directory and click Add.
  5. Select to distribute a software package to a managed system running an AIX, Linux, i5/OS™, or Windows operating system by selecting the applicable check box on the applicable page.
  6. (Optional) In the Execute Pre-Distribution pane, click Advanced.
  7. (Optional) In the Pre-Distribution window, select an application to run on the managed system before the software distribution occurs. You can select multiple applications and specify the order in which they run. When complete, click OK.
  8. (Optional) In the Execute Pre-Distribution pane, select the File exists on target system check box if the specified application exists on the managed system.
  9. (Optional, i5/OS only) In the Execute Pre-Distribution pane, click Native or QShell to select how the application is to be run.
  10. (Optional) In the Execute Post-Distribution pane, click Advanced
  11. (Optional) In the Post-Distribution window, select an application to run on the managed system before the software distribution occurs. You can select multiple applications and specify the order in which they run. When complete, click OK.
  12. (Optional, i5/OS only) In the Execute Post-Distribution pane, click Native or QShell to select how the application is to be run.
  13. (Optional, AIX, Linux, and i5/OS only) Click File Permissions.
  14. (Optional, AIX, Linux, and i5/OS only) In the File Permissions window, set the file and directory permissions for the software distribution and click OK.
    Note: (Managed systems running Linux only) By default, files that are copied to a managed system running Linux are set with the default permission or the account that IBM Director Agent runs as, which is the root account. Use the File Permissions window to set alternative permissions for the software distribution.
  15. Optional: (Windows only) Click Do Nothing or Restart Computer to select whether to restart the managed system after the software distribution is completed.
  16. Optional: (Windows only) Click Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 Configuration.
  17. Optional: (Windows only) In the Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 Configuration window, specify that changes in Windows system files, INI files, and Registry keys are to be distributed to the managed system and click OK.
  18. Click OK. The package name is displayed in the IBM Director Console Tasks pane under the All Software Distribution Packages category.
You can distribute the software package now or schedule a later time for distribution.

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