Help Information for System Management Interface Tool (SMIT

Note: The information contained in this article is structured as help information for the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) and is not intended for use as a procedural or conceptual article.

Software Installation and Maintenance

Selecting this menu option leads to menus for installing and updating software, listing software-related information, performing software maintenance (commit, reject, and remove software), and utilities.

Note: The Base Operating System (BOS) cannot be installed from these menus. To install the BOS, you must use the installation and maintenance menus on your BOS installation media.

For more information on these topics, go to the next level of SMIT.


Install and Update Software

Selecting this menu option leads to menus for installing and updating software.


Install Software Bundle (Easy Install)

Installs and updates software using a bundle as a template. A bundle is a list of software products that are suited for a particular use. For example the App-Dev bundle is a list of software products that an application developer probably would want to install. The actual software is not contained in the bundle; you still have to select the input device where the installation medium resides.


List Filesets in a Bundle

Lists the filesets contained in a bundle. A bundle is a list of fileset names. This option prompts you to select the bundle you want to install and the installation media you want to use. It then displays a list of the bundle filesets found on the installation media and a list of the bundle filesets not found on the installation media.


INPUT device / directory for software

Specifies the input device or directory that is the source of the software you are installing. The input device can be a tape, file system, CD-ROM, diskette drive, or a directory.

Select the List option to display a listing of available input devices.


INPUT device / directory for software

Displays the name of the input device or directory that is the source of the software you are copying. The input device can be a tape, CD-ROM, diskette drive, or a directory.

Use Cancel to return to the previous level if you need to change the name of the input device.


VIEW bundle

Specifies the name of the software bundle you want to view. Select the List option to display a listing of available bundles.

Note: Your installation media may not contain all software listed in the bundle.


Install Bundle Contents

Installs the software contained in a software bundle. To install a software bundle, see the next level of SMIT.


INPUT device / directory for software

Bundle to Install

Specifies the software bundle you want to install. A software bundle contains a list of software products available for installation. There are several system bundles, and each bundle contains a list of software products that are suited for a particular use. Software is selected for installation if it is in the bundle you choose and on the installation media.

Only software that does not require a license password or software that has access to a license password will be installed. A license password is a key that certain filesets need to have before the software can be used.

Select the List option to display a listing of software bundles.

Note: Your installation media may not contain all software contained in the bundle.


Install / Update Selectable Software (Custom Install)

Lists the menus for installing the optional software products, software bundles, maintenance level updates, or fileset updates you select.

Because a software product may be divided into several separately installable filesets, you can install only the filesets you need.


Install and Update from LATEST Available Software

Enables you to install all the latest software or selectively install some or all of the individual software products that exist on the installation media (or directory).

This menu also can be used if you are reinstalling a currently installed software product. If a product is reinstalled at the same level or at an earlier level, only the base product (no updates) will be installed.


Install and Update from LATEST Available Software

Allows you to install and/or update software from the latest levels of software available on the installation media. To shorten the list of software available to install, message and locale software are omitted from the list.


Update Currently Installed Software Products to Latest Level

Enables you to update all currently installed filesets to the latest level available on the installation media.


SOFTWARE to install

Specifies the software (filesets) and updates (fileset updates) you want to install.

You can specify software to install either by choosing the default setting (_all_latest) or by selecting from a list.

To install ALL SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AND UPDATES from the selected input device or directory for which you have a license access (that is, either the software does not need a license password or has access to the license password), choose _all_latest (the default setting). A license password is a key that allows a software product to be used.

Software products and updates are comprised of installable units called filesets. You can select to install ALL or SOME of the filesets.

Note: You do not need to have a license password to install a product, but the software may not run after it is installed without one.

Use the List option to view a list of the software available for installation from the selected input device. This list also displays information about license access. You can select the software you want to install from the list.


PREVIEW only? (install operation will NOT occur)

Indicates whether you want to preview the installation of the selected software products and updates. A preview identifies requirements for the software installation to be successful.

YES instructs the system to display information on space requirements, whether the software passed a preinstallation check, and a list of software products and updates that will be installed. This information may also contain a listing of software products and updates that cannot be installed because of requisite problems. The default for this option is NO.

By also selecting YES to the "DETAILED output?" option, the listing of the software and updates will be displayed in install order.

NO instructs the system to perform the installation.


COMMIT software updates?

Indicates whether you want to commit the software updates you are installing. When you commit software, you are making a commitment that previous versions of this product are NOT needed. ALL VERSIONS PRIOR TO THE ONE YOU ARE COMMITTING ARE DELETED. Committing software has two effects. It frees up disk space that was used to store older versions of that software. It eliminates the possibility of being able to reject the update and go back to the previous version.

YES instructs the system to commit the software updates you are installing. All versions prior to the one you are committing are deleted. In general, it is not recommended to commit software updates you are installing for the first time. For example, after using a new version, you may decide you prefer to use an earlier version of the software. Once you commit the software updates you are installing, you will have no way to retrieve previous versions. You must reinstall previous versions in order to use them.

NO instructs the system not to commit the software updates you are installing. The software you are installing will be applied. When software is applied to the system, it becomes the active version of the software. If it is replacing a previous version of the software, the previous version is saved in a special directory on the disk. The previous version can be retrieved, if necessary, by rejecting the current version. Once you are satisfied with the updates, you should commit them to free up disk space used by the saved files.

If you choose NO for "COMMIT software updates", then you must choose YES to "SAVE replaced files".

Whether it is desirable for you to commit software updates or not depends on the circumstances. You should consider the following in making your decision.

This is NOT your only opportunity to commit software. After you have installed the software and used it for awhile, you can commit it. Go to the Software Installation & Maintenance menu, select Maintain Installed Software and then select Commit Applied Software (Remove Saved Files).


SAVE replaced files?

Indicates whether you want to save software files that are being replaced during installation.

YES instructs the system to save previous versions of software that is being replaced. In case of a failed installation, choosing YES allows the cleanup procedure to restore the previous version of the software. If you chose NO for "COMMIT software?", then you must choose YES to "SAVE replaced files?". Choosing YES will require some additional space to save replaced files. Choosing YES also requires more installation time because of the extra processing for saving files.

NO instructs the system NOT to save previous versions of software while it is being replaced. In case of a failed installation, the previous version of the software CANNOT be restored and is marked BROKEN. You must reinstall the software update if this occurs.


ALTERNATE Save Directory

Specifies an alternate directory for the storage of replaced files for software updates. Replaced files are stored in the standard save directory structure under the directory you specify. Saved files are used to recover a previous software level upon reject or for cleanup of failed installations. Saved files are deleted upon successful reject and commit operations. Specifying an alternate save directory is useful when there is insufficient space in the default file systems or when it is undesirable to permanently expand these file systems.

This option is primarily useful in the following two circumstances.


Automatically install REQUISITE software?

Indicates whether you want to automatically install requisite software. Requisite software is software that is required for another software product to function.

YES instructs the system to automatically install any software that is a requisite for the software products you select for installation. For selected updates, choosing YES also instructs the system to install any superseding software updates found on the installation media.

If you set the option "OVERWRITE same or newer versions" to YES, you must set the option "Automatically install REQUISITE software" to NO.

To see a list of software products and requisites that will be installed, set the option "PREVIEW the installation" to YES.

NO instructs the system NOT to install software that is a requisite for the software products you select for installation. If you choose NO and the system encounters a missing requisite during the installation of a product, the installation of that product is cancelled. The system lists the missing requisite and then continues installing other software.


Automatically install REQUISITES to software

Select this option if you want the system to automatically install any software that is a requisite for the software products you select for installation. Requisite software is software that is required in order for another software product to function. When this option is not selected and the system encounters a missing requisite during the installation of a product, the installation of that product is cancelled. The system lists the missing requisite and then continues installing other software. The default for this option is selected.

To see a list of software products and requisites that will be installed, click on the PREVIEW action from the main window application.


EXTEND file systems if space needed?

Indicates whether you want the system to extend file systems if more space is needed during processing.

YES instructs the system to extend file systems as necessary. Once file system size is extended, it cannot be reduced. You must remove the entire file system. If you have plenty of hard disk space, choose YES. To preview the estimated amount of space needed, set the option "PREVIEW only?" to YES.

NO instructs the system NOT to extend file systems. If you have limited hard disk space, choose NO. If you choose NO and the system runs out of disk space during processing, a system message displays. The message indicates how much disk space is required and which file systems require the space. The system does not install the product requiring additional space but continues the installation process for other products. In some cases, an update may be marked as BROKEN if there is not enough space and the cleanup process cannot be completed..


Extend File System if Space Needed

Select this option if you want the system to extend file systems if more space is needed during processing. Selecting this option instructs the system to extend file systems as necessary. Once file system size is extended, it cannot be reduced. To regain the space, you must remove the entire file system. If you have plenty of hard disk space, you should select this option. If you have limited hard disk space, you should not select this option. When this option is not selected and the system runs out of disk space during processing, a system message displays. The message indicates how much disk space is required and which file systems require the space. The system does not install the product requiring additional space but continues the installation process for other products. The default for this option is selected.

To preview the estimated amount of space needed, click on the PREVIEW action from the main window application.


VERIFY install and check file sizes?

Indicates whether you want the system to perform some checks on the software you installed.

YES instructs the system to perform a checksum to confirm that your software files are the correct length, contain the correct number of digits and characters, and to verify requisites for all software on the system.

NO instructs the system NOT to check your installation. The verification process can add a significant amount of time to the installation process. If you want a faster installation procedure, choose NO.


OVERWRITE same or newer versions?

Set to YES if you want to reinstall the same or older version of software as the version existing on your system. Note that a YES answer is not valid for updates; an overwrite can only be done on base filesets. The default option is NO.

Note: You do not need to set this option to YES if you are applying a later version.

If you set this option to YES, you must set the "AUTOMATICALLY install requisite software?" option to NO.


Overwrite Same or Newer Version

Select this option if you want to install the same or newer version of software as the version existing on your system. The default for this option is unselected.


Install Settings Dialog in Advanced Install

Select this option if you want the system to perform some checks on the software you installed. Selecting this option instructs the system to perform a checksum to confirm that your software files are the correct length and contain the correct number of digits and characters. If this option is not selected, the system will not check files that are not affected by the update. Also, after the installation is completed, requisites are checked for all software on the system. The verification process can add a significant amount of time to the installation process. If you want a faster installation procedure, you should not select this option. The default for this option is selected.


Include corresponding LANGUAGE packages

Instructs the system to include all message filesets for filesets that you are currently installing or have previously installed. The language used during installation of the base operating system is used.

It is recommended that you leave this option set to YES if your primary language is not English. This option is ignored if the LANG variable on your system is C (LANG=C).


DETAILED output?

Indicates whether you want a detailed log of the installation messages. The default setting for this option is NO.


Bundle to install from

Specifies the software bundle you want to install from. A software bundle contains a list of software products available for installation. There are several system bundles, and each bundle contains a list of software products that are suited for a particular use. Software is available for selection if it is in the bundle you choose and on the installation media.

Select the List option to display a listing of software bundles.

Note: Your installation media may not contain all software contained in the bundle.


SOFTWARE to install

Specifies the software products you want to install that are listed in the bundle you selected.

There are two methods for specifying software to install: choose the default setting (all_licensed), or select from a list.

To install ALL SOFTWARE PRODUCTS contained both in the selected bundle and on the media for which you have license access (that is, either the software does not need a license password or has access to the license password), choose all_licensed (the default setting). A license password is a key that allows a software product to be used.

Software products are comprised of installable units called filesets. You can select to install ALL or SOME of the filesets.

Note: You can install a fileset that requires a license password without having access to the license, but the license is normally required to run some or all of the software.

Use the List option to view a list of the software available for installation from the selected input device. This list also displays information about license access. You can select the software you want to install from the list.


APPLY updates to bundle?

Indicates whether you want updates also installed for the selected software products.

YES instructs the system to install all updates on the installation media as well as the base level filesets for the selected software. Choosing YES ensures that you get the latest version of the software available on the installation media.

NO instructs the system to install only the base filesets; no updates on the media will be applied.


Update Maintenance Levels of Software

Enables you to install from only the maintenance levels that exist on the installation media.

A maintenance level is an update that contains all fileset fixes since the last release of the software product. There is one maintenance level for each software product, including the Base Operating System (BOS).

This menu option allows you to selectively install some or all of the maintenance levels that exist on the installation media (or directory). Use this option to limit the installation of the service updates to maintenance levels only.


SOFTWARE to install

This menu option cannot be changed. The _update_all keyword indicates that this installation process will attempt to update all currently installed filesets to the latest level available on the installation media.


PREVIEW only? (update operation will NOT occur)

Indicates whether you want to preview the update operation. A preview identifies requirements for the software update to be successful.

YES instructs the system to display information on space requirements, whether the software passed a preinstallation check, and a list of software products and updates that will be installed. This information may also contain a listing of software products and updates that cannot be installed because of requisite problems. The default for this option is NO.

By also selecting YES to the "DETAILED output?" option, the listing of the software and updates will be displayed in install order.


Update Software by Fix (APAR)

Enables you to install fileset updates that are grouped by some relationship and identified by a unique keyword, such as an APAR number. An APAR number is used to identify reported problems caused by a suspected defect in a program. A fix to an APAR can be made up of one or more fileset updates.

This menu option allows you to selectively install fixes identified by keyword. After a fix is installed, fix information is kept on the system in a fix database.


FIXES to Install

Specifies the fixes you want to install. A fix can be made up of either a single fileset update or multiple fileset updates that are related in some way; fixes are identified by unique keyword. When a fix is identified with an APAR number, it will include all the fileset updates that are necessary to fix the reported software problem that is identified by that number.

Select the List option to display a listing from which you can select one or more fixes.


Install/Update From All Available Software

Enables you to install or update software from all software available on the installation media.

This menu can be used when none of the other menus, which limit the available software in some way, fits your needs. In general, the software list from this menu will be longer than on the menus which are tailored to a specific type of installation.


Copy Software to Hard Disk for Future Installation

Copies the software products you select from an installation media, such as tape or diskette, to a directory on the hard disk. This allows you to use the hard disk directory as the input device for future installations. The default directory is /usr/sys/inst.images.


SOFTWARE package to copy

Specifies the identifiers of all packages that are available from the selected input device.

There are two methods for specifying software: Choose the default setting (all), or select from a list.

To copy all software from the specified input device onto your hard disk, choose all (the default setting).

Select the List option to display a listing of the software packages that can be copied onto your hard disk. On the SOFTWARE name list, select packages that will be copied.


DIRECTORY for storing software

Specifies the directory on your hard disk where installation images for the software you select are stored. The default directory is /usr/sys/inst.images.


DIRECTORY for temporary storage during copying

Specifies the directory that will be used to store temporary files created during copying. The default directory is /tmp. You can specify another directory. However, the directory you choose must already exist on the system. You cannot create it here. The temporary files created during copying are erased when copying is complete.


List All Software on Installation Media

Lists all software products and updates on the installation media. An update is software that fixes a defect in a software product. The installation media can be a tape, diskette, CD-ROM, or directory where installation images of the software have been saved.

This menu option will also show licensing information for products that require it.


List All Problems Fixed by Software on Installation Media

Lists specific information about the problems fixed in the specified filesets on the specified installation media. This information is normally contained only in update packages. An update is software that fixes a defect in a software product. The installation media can be a tape, diskette, CD-ROM, or a directory where installation images are stored.


SOFTWARE name

Select the F4 key to display a list of the available software on the selected input device, then select the software whose information you want to view.


List Supplemental Fileset Information on Installation Media

Lists supplemental fileset information including user instructions for the specified filesets on the specified installation media. User instructions may contain important information needed to install or update a software product. This process may take a considerable amount of time because the files containing this supplemental information must be retrieved from the installation media. The installation media can be a tape, diskette, CD-ROM, or a directory where installation images are stored.


Clean Up After a Failed Installation

Cleans up after an interrupted installation. The system attempts to clean up interrupted installations by removing software products that were partially installed. The system also attempts to revert back to the previous version of the product. If the system successfully reverts to the previous version, it becomes the currently active version. If this cannot be done, then the software product is marked as broken.

If you use SMIT to perform your installation, the system automatically performs cleanup when an installation cannot be completed because of failure or interruption. Normally, the only condition under which you may have to perform a manual cleanup is if the system shuts down or loses power during an installation.


Software Maintenance and Utilities

Selecting this menu option leads to menus for maintaining installed software and for other software-related utilities. Maintenance tasks include rejecting updates, committing updates, removing software, and cleaning up after a failed or interrupted install. Other software utilities include copying software to disk (bffcreate) and verifying software installation, requisites, and file sizes. If the system backup utilities (bos.sysmgt.sysbr) are installed, an option for backing up the system will be available.


List Installed Software

Lists information about the software installed on your system such as installation history and whether software is applied, committed, or rejected. This information is stored in the Software Vital Product Data database. Also includes selections to show the maintenance level of a software product, requisites and dependents of a software product, and files included in a software product.


List Installed Software

Lists all installed software products and updates by fileset name.


Lists all installed software products and updates by bundle name.


The name of the bundle that contains the filesets you want to list.

Select the F4 key to display a list of all the bundles installed on your system, then select the bundle name from the list.


Indicates whether you want the system to display all superseded levels of the updates you installed.

YES instructs the system to display the maintenance levels and all updates that were applied.

NO instructs the system to display only the maintenance level (if it exists) and any updates that were applied since the maintenance level.


The software products installed on your system whose updates you want to list. An update is software that fixes a defect in a software product.

Select the F4 key to display a list of all the software installed on your system, then select the software products whose updates you want to view.


List Applied but Not Committed Software Updates

Lists all applied software updates installed on the system. An applied software update is uncommitted because the previously installed version has been saved, making it possible to return to the previous version. Saving a previous version can take a significant amount of disk space. An uncommitted software update can be left in the APPLIED state, can be rejected (in which case the update is removed and the previous version is restored), or can be committed (in which case the previous version is deleted, freeing up disk space).

You can commit or reject applied updates from the Software Maintenance and Utilities menu.


List Maintenance Level of a Software Product

Lists maintenance level information about an installed software product.

A maintenance level refers to the level of updates currently installed for a product. When a maintenance level update is issued, it contains all fixes made since the base level of the software product. An individual fileset update contains only fixes made since the last maintenance level or base level of the product was issued.


SOFTWARE name

Specifies the software products installed on your system whose maintenance levels you want to list. A maintenance level is an update that contains all fileset fixes since the last release of the product.

Select the List option to display a listing of all the software installed on your system. From this list, you select the software products whose maintenance levels you want to view.


SOFTWARE name

Specifies the software products installed on your system whose installation history you want to show.

There are two methods for specifying the software products whose history you want to show: choose the default setting (all), or select from a list.

To show the history of all the software products installed on the system, choose all (the default setting.)

Select the List option to display a listing of all the software installed on your system. From this list, you select the software products whose installation history you want to show.


SOFTWARE name

Specifies the installed software products whose requisites you want to list.

There are two methods for specifying the software products whose requisites you want to list: choose the default setting (all), or select from a list.

To list the requisites for all the software products installed on the system, choose all (the default setting).

Select the List option to display a listing of all the software installed on your system. From this list, you can select the software products whose requisites you want to list.


SOFTWARE name

Specifies the installed software products whose dependents you want to list.

There are two methods for specifying the software products whose dependents you want to list: choose the default setting (all), or select from a list.

To list the dependents for all the software products installed on the system, choose all (the default setting).

Select the List option to display a listing of all the software installed on your system. From this list, you select the software products whose dependents you want to list.


SOFTWARE name

Specifies the installed software products whose file names you want to view.

Select the List option to display a listing of all the software installed on your system. From this list, you select the software products whose files you want to view.


Commit Applied Service Updates (Remove Saved Files)

Commits a software update, and removes the previous version. When software is committed, you are making a commitment that previous versions of this product are not needed. Any version of a software update that has been applied may be committed.

Committing software has two effects. It frees up disk space that was used to store the older versions of that software. It eliminates the possibility of being able to reject the update and go back to the previous version.


SOFTWARE name

Lists all the software updates installed on your system that are in the applied state. The applied state means that the software is installed but not committed. Applied software may or may not be the currently active version if there is another version that supersedes it. The most recently installed software or update is the currently active version.

Select the List option to display a listing of all the software updates on the system that are in the applied state. You then select the software updates you want to commit from the list.


PREVIEW only? (commit operation will not occur)

Indicates whether you want to preview the commit operation. A preview identifies requirements for the commit operation to be successful.

YES instructs the system to display information on space requirements, whether the software passed a preinstallation check, and a list of software products and updates that will be committed. This information may also contain a listing of software products and updates that cannot be committed. The default for this option is NO.

By also selecting YES to the "DETAILED output?" option, the listing of the software and updates will be displayed in the order that they are committed.

NO instructs the system to perform the commit operation.


COMMIT Requisites ?

Indicates whether you want the system to automatically commit the requisites for the software product updates you are committing. Before a software product update can be committed, all requisites for it must also be committed. Requisite software is software that is required for another software product to function. Committing updates will not prevent removing the software products at a later time.

YES instructs the system to include any uncommitted requisite software update in the list of software to be committed. Although committing software does not change the currently active version, it does eliminate the possibility of reverting to a version installed prior to the one you are committing. The default is YES.

To see a list of updates that will be committed, choose YES to the "PREVIEW only?" option.

NO instructs the system not to include any uncommitted requisite software updates in the list of software updates to be committed. If the system encounters uncommitted requisite software updates during installation, a message displays identifying what software updates need to be committed.


Reject Applied Software Updates (Use Previous Version)

Rejects applied (or uncommitted) software product updates and reverts to the previous versions of the specified software products. When an update is rejected, that update is deleted from the system, and the version of the software product immediately previous to the update being rejected becomes the currently active version of the product. Once an update is rejected, it cannot be retrieved. If you want to use that update again, it must be reinstalled.


SOFTWARE name

Specifies the software product updates on your system that are available for rejection. The updates you reject will be deleted from the system.

Select the List option to display a listing of all the updates on the system that are in the applied state. You then select the updates you want to reject from the list.

If you reject more than 100 filesets at one time, overflow conditions may occur.


PREVIEW only? (reject operation will NOT occur)

Indicates whether you want to preview the reject operation. A preview identifies requirements for the reject operation to be successful.

YES instructs the system to display information on space requirements, whether the software passed a preinstallation check, and a list of software updates that will be rejected. This information may also contain a listing of software updates that cannot be rejected. The default for this option is NO.

By also selecting YES for the "DETAILED output?" option, the listing of the software updates will be displayed in the order that they are rejected.

NO instructs the system to perform the reject operation.


REJECT dependent software?

Indicates whether or not you want the system to reject updates that are dependent upon the updates you are rejecting. A dependent update is one that requires the selected update to be installed either before or with itself. In other words, the selected update is a prerequisite or co-requisite to the dependent update. Before an update can be rejected, all updates that are dependent upon the selected update must also be rejected.

NO instructs the system not to automatically reject updates that are dependent upon the updates you are rejecting. This selection is the default. When an update is to be rejected, if the system encounters any dependent updates that were not also selected for rejection, then an error message lists those dependent updates, and the selected update is not rejected. The system continues the rejection process for other selected updates.

YES instructs the system to automatically reject updates that are dependent upon the updates you are rejecting. Instructing the system to automatically reject updates that are dependent on the update you are rejecting may cause the deletion of an update you do not want to delete. Therefore, this selection is not recommended unless you have first verified that you also wish to reject all dependent updates. To view a list of the updates that will be automatically included before actually performing the reject operation, set this option to YES and set the option "PREVIEW only?" to YES.


EXTEND file systems if space needed?

Indicates whether you want the system to extend file systems if more space is needed during processing.

YES instructs the system to extend file systems as necessary. Once file system size is extended, it cannot be reduced. To regain the space, you must remove the entire file system. If you have plenty of hard disk space, choose YES. To preview the estimated amount of space needed, set the option "PREVIEW only?" to YES.

NO instructs the system NOT to extend file systems. If you have limited hard disk space, choose NO. If you choose NO and the system runs out of disk space during processing, a system message displays. The message indicates how much disk space is required and which file systems require the space.


Remove Software Products

Removes installed software products from the system. A software product can be committed and still be removed. Once a software product is removed from the system, it cannot be retrieved. If you want to use it again, it must be reinstalled.

When you remove a software product, the product and all of its updates (whether applied or committed) are deleted from the system. System configuration information for the product is also cleaned up, but this is dependent on the product and may not always be complete. If a previous version, release, or level of the product was installed on the system, the system will not resume using the previous version.


SOFTWARE name

Specifies the software products on your system that are available for removal. The products you remove will be deleted from the system.

Select the List option to display a listing of all software products installed on the system. You then select the products you want to remove from the list.

If you remove more than 100 filesets at one time, overflow conditions may occur.


PREVIEW only? (remove operation will NOT occur)

Indicates whether you want to preview the removal of the selected software products and updates. A preview identifies requirements for the remove operation to be successful.

YES instructs the system to display information on space requirements, whether the software passed a preinstallation check, and a list of software products that will be removed. This information may also contain a listing of software products that cannot be removed. The default for this option is YES.

By also selecting YES to the option "DETAILED output?", the listing of the software will be displayed in the order of removal.

NO instructs the system to perform the remove operation.


REMOVE dependent software

Indicates whether you want the system to remove other software products and other products' updates that are dependent upon the software product you are removing. A dependent product or update is one that requires the selected product to be installed either before or with itself. In other words, the selected software product is a prerequisite or co-requisite to the dependent product or update. Before a software product can be removed, all products and updates that are dependent upon the selected product must also be removed.

NO instructs the system NOT to automatically remove software products and updates that are dependent upon the product you are removing. This selection is recommended. When a product is to be removed, if the system encounters any dependent products or updates that were not also selected for removal, then an error message lists those dependent products and updates, and the selected product is not removed. The system continues the removal process for other selected products.

YES instructs the system to automatically remove software products and updates that are dependent upon the product you are rejecting. Instructing the system to automatically remove products and updates that are dependent on the product you are removing may cause the removal of a product you do not want to remove. This selection is not recommended unless you have first verified that you also wish to remove all dependent software. To view a list of the software that will be automatically included before actually performing the remove operation, set this option to YES and set the option "PREVIEW only?" to YES.


Check Software File Sizes After installation

Instructs the system to check whether a software product has been changed or corrupted. The system checks that your software files are the correct length and that inventory data is accurate. The system compares the calculated values to a standard set of stored values to see if they differ. If the values differ, the product should not verify correctly. However, some changed or corrupted files may not be identified with this process.


SOFTWARE name

Specifies the software products on your system that are available to be verified. Select the List option to display a listing of all software products installed on the system. You then select the products you want to verify.


UPDATE software inventory if discrepancy is found?

Indicates whether or not you want the system to use a software product that you have intentionally modified as the new standard for installation verification.

Each software product has a set of standard values that describe the length and number of characters of its files. The system uses these standard values as a reference against which to check the current values. When a verification is performed the system examines the product's files and calculates their length and number of characters. It then compares these values to the stored standard values. If the numbers do not match, the system notifies you that the product has changed.

Therefore, if you have intentionally modified a software product and you want the new values to become the standard for future comparisons, choose YES.


Verify Software Requisites and Installations

Instructs the system to verify installed software for installation of requisites and for consistency of the installation state. For each installed fileset the system will check to see if all requisite software is installed, and any discrepancies will be reported. Also, the system will verify the consistency of the installation state of the fileset and report any problems.

Software can be divided into three parts: usr, root, and share. Software always has a usr part but may or may not have root and share parts. The share part of software must be packaged into a separate fileset. If a root part exists, it is packaged into the same fileset as the usr part. For an install operation (apply, commit, reject, or remove) on a fileset with both usr and root parts, an interruption or failure of the operation can cause the installation state of the usr and root parts to become inconsistent.

The situation of an inconsistent state between the usr and root parts of a fileset is more common for diskless and dataless client machines than for a standard machine. Since an install operation must occur for each diskless / dataless client for the root part of a fileset, it is more common for an interrupted or failed installation to cause the root part of the software to be out of synchronization with the usr part of the software for some of the client machines.

For those unfamiliar with the division of software packages into parts, a brief explanation is given. The share part of software is software that can be shared among machines of a different hardware architecture; for example, man pages and data files often fall into this category. The usr part of software is software that can be shared among machines of the same hardware architecture; the majority of software falls into this category. The root part of software is software that must be specific for each machine running the software; this software usually deals with the hardware or software configuration of the machine.


List Software and Related Information

Selecting this menu option leads to menus for listing software and information related to that software. You will be able to list installed software and its related information or list software on the media and its related information.


Install and Update Software by Package Name (includes devices and printers)

Allows you to install and update software for filesets in packages that you select. What this allows you to do is limit the display of fileset selections to just a few packages rather than all the packages on the media.

For example, to install additional devices and printer software you select your input device, select devices and printers from the Select Packages to List menus, and select the individual filesets from the next Select Software to Install popup menu.


List Installed Software and Related Information

Selecting this menu option leads to menus for listing installed software and information related to installed software.


List Software on Media and Related Information

Selecting this menu option leads to menus for listing software on the installation media and information related to software on the installation media.


Show Fix (APAR) Installation Status

Lists detailed information about Fix (APAR) installation status. An APAR contains one or more software updates that fix a specific software problem. This option tells you whether a specified APAR is installed. If the APAR is not installed, the option tells you which software updates must be installed in order for the APAR to be installed completely.


List Fileset Containing File

Identifies which fileset contains a specified system file and provides information about the file type.


<Blank menu options used for visual separators>

This line is intentionally left blank as a visual task separator.


SOFTWARE to install

Specifies the fileset names and levels that you selected on the previous menu. Do not edit this field. If you want to change this list, back out of this menu and select the filesets from the list of software.


SOFTWARE to install

Specifies the software products you want to install.

You can specify software to install either by entering fileset name level pairs or by selecting from a list.

Software products and updates are comprised of installable units called filesets. You can select ALL or SOME of a software product's filesets.

Note: You do not need to have a license password to install a product, but the software may not run after it is installed without one.

Use the List option to view a list of the software available for installation from the selected input device. This list also displays information about license access. You can select the software you want to install from the list.


FIX ID

Specify the FIX ID for which you would like to see installation status. Select the List option to display a listing of FIX IDs.


File Name to Search For

Enter a system file name. You can use the * wildcard character. For example you can enter /usr/sbin/installp to see information about the /usr/sbin/installp file, or you can enter /usr/sbin/* to see information about all files located in the /usr/sbin directory.


Target Disk(s) to install

Select the disk or disks that the mksysb image will be restored to. Only disks that currently have no associated volume group are displayed in the listing.


Device or image name

Specify the device or path name where the mksysb image is stored.


image.data File

Specify the customized image.data file to use to create the alternate rootvg. The default is to use the image.data file from the mksysb image.


Customization script

Specify the customization script to run after the mksysb image has been restored to the alternate rootvg volume group.


Set bootlist to boot from this disk on next reboot?

Indicates whether you want to set the bootlist to boot from the alternate rootvg at the next system reboot.


Reboot when complete?

Indicates whether you want to reboot the system when the alternate disk installation is complete.


Verbose output?

Indicates whether you want to show the names of all the files as they are being restored from the mksysb image.


Debug output?

Indicates whether you want to show the debug shell (set -x) output.


Target Disk(s) to install

Select the disk or disks which the rootvg will be cloned to. Only disks that currently have no associated volume group are displayed in the listing.


image.data file

Specify the customized image.data file to use to create the alternate rootvg. The default is to create a new image.data from the rootvg.


Exclude list

Specify the exclude list file to use to specify any files or directories not to copy to the alternate rootvg.


Bundle to install

Specify a file containing a list of filesets or packages to install into the alternate rootvg.


Fileset(s) to install

Specify a list of filesets to install into the alternate rootvg after the clone.


Fix bundle to install

Specify a file containing a list of APARs to install into the alternate rootvg.


Fixes to install

Specify a list of APARs to install into the alternate rootvg.


Directory or device with images

Specify a directory or device with install or update images to install into the alternate rootvg.


Customization script

Specify the customization script to run after the clone of the rootvg.


Verbose output?

Indicates whether you want to show files as they are being backed up from the rootvg.


Specify the customized resolv.conf file to replace the existing file on the alternate rootvg. The default is to use the resolv.conf file from the mksysb image.


Phase to execute

Specifies the phase(s) you wish to execute in this session. Phase 1 will create and install the alternate disk. Phase 2 will run any specified customization script and, for cloning only, install updates or filesets. Phase 3 will unmount the file systems, as well as change the file system and logical volume names. The default is to perform all three phases. Note that Phase 3 must be completed for a disk to become bootable as a rootvg.


The full path to the file that contains the output of the 'lslpp -Lcq' command for a system to filter against.