ITM Agent Insights: Linux OS agent (LZ) install issues on SLES 12 (64-bit)

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I recently worked with a customer where we found a unique Linux OS (LZ) agent install issue on a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 12 - 64 bit server. I thought it will be good to share the results in case you run into the same issue.

For starters, you need to know that a LZ agent install on SLES 12 requires the following workaround:

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21692454 

However, even before the install actually starts the installer gives an arithmetic error

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./install.sh[3036]: [: number19: arithmetic syntax error

./install.sh[3284]: checkDiskSpace[610]: [: kbAvail: arithmetic syntax error

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I did some internal testing which indicated the following results: (6.30.FP6 is the latest full install in the 6.30 series)

• If you install 6.30.FP6 pristine on SLES 12 with only the mksh package installed, it will install successfully.

• If you install 6.30.FP6 pristine on SLES 12 with the ksh (93v) package installed, the installation will fail with messages similar to the error described above.

Attempting to install ITM 6.30.FP2, using the setarch work-around, the prerequisite checker will fail if the ksh package is not installed.

Searching for known problems, I came across a number of references stating that ksh (93v) was not stable and that there was a new package for ksh (93vu) that is available.

You can download ksh (93vu) from the following location (SUSE support): http://download.opensuse.org/update/openSUSE-current/x86_64/ksh-93vu-7.2.x86_64.rpm.mirrorlist

Once you upgrade to the new ksh (93vu) version:

STEP 1: Install ITM 6.30.FP2 with setarch work-around.

• Prereqchecker for KJR returned a status of FAIL because OS is not listed as supported. Respond 1 to continue.
• Prereqchecker for selected components returned a status of FAIL. I opened another terminal for the system and reviewed the results.txt log file. All failures were due to OS not listed as supported. Respond 1 to continue.
• Installation completed successfully.

STEP 2: Upgrade to ITM 6.30.FP4 without setarch work-around.

• Installation completed successfully.

The resolution is to upgrade the ksh package to the following: http://download.opensuse.org/update/openSUSE-current/x86_64/ksh-93vu-7.2.x86_64.rpm.mirrorlist

NOTE:

• This error does not occur in the 93s version of the shell (SLES 10).

• This error does not occur in the 93u version of the shell (SLES 11).

• This error does occur in the 93v version of the shell (SLES 12). This makes the error a regression.

• This error does not occur in the 93vu version of the shell (SLES 12 + 93vu rpm).

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