Creating software packages to distribute

This topic describes the IBM® Update Assistant.

The IBM Update Assistant is a wizard that imports software that is distributed by IBM into IBM Director and creates the software package or packages for distribution. The IBM Update Assistant can import these types of software packages:
  • Packages in the Solution Install format, an architecture that provides a universal way to package and distribute software
  • Packages in the UpdateXpress for xSeries® format
Solution Install packages enable software distribution to Level-0 managed systems, Level-1 managed systems, and Level-2 managed systems. Solution Install packages contain the following elements:
  • Installable unit (IU) of software that is self-extracting, self-installing and runs in silent, unattended mode
  • Installable unit deployment descriptor (IUDD) XML file, the PackagedIU.xml file that describes the dependencies of the package
  • Artifact XML file that describes the installation instructions for the IU
  • An XML file in xSeries format that enables Software Health Check for the package
A Solution Install package may be in the form of a JAR file, a Zip file, or a Solution Install formatted directory structure that can be accessed through the ComponentNamePackagedIU.xml file.
註: The ComponentName prefix is optional.
UpdateXpress packages can only be distributed to Level-2 managed systems. UpdateXpress packages contain the following elements:
  • The software-update file that is self-extracting, self-installing and runs in silent, unattended mode
  • An XML file that describes the software-update file and how to install it

Complete the following steps to import the software and create one or more software packages:

  1. In the IBM Director Console Tasks pane, double-click the Software Distribution task.
  2. (Standard) In the Software Distribution Manager window, double-click IBM Update Assistant. (Premium) Expand the Wizards tree. Double-click IBM Update Assistant.
  3. In the IBM Update Assistant wizard, specify whether the files are on the local management console or on the management server by clicking the applicable button.
  4. Type the location of the XML, JAR, or Zip file that describes the software package or packages that you want to import, or click Browse to locate the file.
  5. Select the Make Category Private check box to make the new category visible to only the IBM Director account that created it.
  6. Click Next. If one software package is specified in the XML file, the package is displayed in the Packages pane. If more than one software package is specified, a tree structure is displayed in the Packages pane. For example, for UpdateXpress, a folder is displayed for each managed-system machine type that is specified in the XML file. Expanding each folder displays a list of the software packages that apply to the specific managed system machine type. If you click a package in the Packages pane, a description of the software package is displayed in the Details pane. By default, no software packages are selected for import into IBM Director, which is indicated by the red X beside each package in the Packages pane.
  7. Double-click the package or packages in the Packages pane to select the package for import. Or, if you want to select all the packages, or just those that are deemed critical by IBM, you can right-click the folder and click Select All Items or Select Critical Items. The red X beside a package in the Packages pane changes to a green check mark to indicate that the package will be imported.
    1. (Managed systems running Windows® only) In the Options pane, you can specify an alternative installation script to run by typing the path name in the Alternate install script field. Options are not displayed when you are working with Server Plus Pack software packages for managed systems running Windows.
    2. (Upgrading IBM Director Agent on managed systems running Linux® only) In the Options pane, you can specify an alternative installation script to run by typing the path name in the Alternate response file/script field.
    3. (Managed systems running AIX® only) In the Options pane, you can specify an alternative installation script to run by typing the path name in the Alternate response file/script field.
  8. Click Finish.
If you import only one software package, the package name is displayed in the IBM Director Console Tasks pane under the All Software Distribution Packages category. If you import more than one software package, a software-distribution category is created for each selected software package. Individual software packages are displayed under each category. The packages also are displayed in the IBM Director Console Tasks pane under All Software Distribution Packages.
註: If you want to change the contents of a software-distribution category, use the category editor.

You can distribute the software package or software-package category that contains the packages that you want to distribute now, or you can set a time to distribute the software package or software-package category using Scheduler. Packages in the software-package category are distributed in the order listed in the category editor.

(C) Copyright IBM Corporation 1999,2005. All Rights Reserved.