Managing IBM Installation Manager repositories

You can configure internal and external Installation Manager repositories to manage software packages, fix packs, and interim fixes for virtual system patterns.

About this task

When you import pattern types to Cloud Pak System Software for Power®, the software packages are automatically uploaded to Storehouse and the internal Installation Manager repository. You can also manually add software packages to the repository.

When users create virtual system patterns in the Pattern Builder, they can choose from the versions of the software that are in the repository when they add a component to a pattern.

The versions for the software components that display in the Pattern Builder assets palette are generated from the installation packages that are in the Installation Manager repositories (both internal and external). These entries are cached at two levels: metadata for the packages and the Installation Manager repository query results. Both of these caches have a 30-minute default refresh interval. If you update the Installation Manager repository and you do not want to wait for the automatic refresh of the cache, you can manually refresh the cache from the Installation Manager page (System > IBM Installation Manager Repository). Click Refresh Cache on this page to manually refresh the cache.

When a virtual system pattern that uses a software package from the Installation Manager repository is deployed, the Installation Manager client is automatically installed on the virtual machine. This client is used to install the specified software from the Installation Manager repository.

In version 2.2.2.0 and later, the Installation Manager client that is installed is version 1.8.5. If needed, use these steps to upgrade the client in instances that were deployed with previous versions:
  • Select the instance.
  • Click Check for updates in the Pattern type section of the Instance Details page.

    The list of available updates displays. The plug-in for the Installation Manager client, which is listed as one of the available updates if the client in the instance is an earlier version, is vsys.im/<version>.

  • Click Update.
Important: Some virtual system patterns, such as the IBM® WebSphere® Application Server Pattern, require either the internal Installation Manager repository or a configured external Installation Manager repository that contains the required offerings before you deploy the pattern. For more information, see the documentation for the pattern.