Checklist: Preparing to distribute software using central site distribution
To distribute software from a central system, complete the steps in this checklist.
Before you begin
- Become familiar with the Overview of tasks to distribute software using central site distribution. This is an overview of the central site distribution process including an outline of the objects saved using option 40 (Create a distribution media) on the GO LICPGM menu.
- Verify that the target systems have adequate storage space to handle all distributed licensed programs. Refer to Ensuring the system meets disk storage requirements for upgrades to verify adequate storage space.
- Verify that the central and target systems will be at
compatible software and hardware releases after the central site distribution.
Refer to the System i® hardware
Web site to determine the i5/OS releases that can be installed on
each model. Select the information on Marketing life. - Verify that the central and target systems will be at compatible IBM® i releases after the central site distribution. Refer to i5/OS release interoperability to verify this. If you have several systems in a network, they must be at compatible releases to exchange data or to save and restore objects.
- Ensure that all program temporary fixes (PTFs) are applied to the central system. IBM recommends that you permanently apply all Licensed Internal Code PTFs on your central system to ensure that the media can be installed on target systems that have new hardware features. For information on how to permanently apply Licensed Internal Code PTFs, see Advanced fix installation: Applying Licensed Internal Code fixes without an IPL. For more information about PTFs in the central site distribution process, refer to Distribution of program temporary fixes (PTFs).
- Ensure the central system is stable. You may want to test the central system for a few weeks to ensure stability.
- Consider running the Check Product Option (CHKPRDOPT) command on your central system to ensure that all requisite PTFs for the licensed programs you plan to distribute are installed.
Preparing to distribute software from a central system
- Select the installation method for the target systems. Choose automatic installation or manual installation as described in Installation methods for the target systems.
- If you chose the automatic installation method in step 1,
select or customize one of the following installation profiles.
- Replace current release (QRPLRELLVL)
- Install new system (QINSNEWSYS)
- IBM replace current release (QIBMRPLRLS)
- Change primary language (QCHGPRILNG)
- Select the distribution media. The media types are described in Types of distribution media for central site distribution.
- Prepare the license information of products that use IBM i license management. Refer to Preparing software license information for central site distribution.
- Create an installation program for the target system. Automatically restore additional libraries and other objects that you plan to save on the distribution media. Refer to Optional: Writing a user-defined installation program for the target systems.
- Consider compressing and decompressing licensed programs. Compress licensed programs using the Compress Object (CPROBJ) command. For information, refer to Licensed program compression and decompression for central site distribution.
- If you selected image catalog as the distribution media, go to either Optional: Preparing the central system for virtual optical images or Optional: Preparing the central system for virtual tape images.
When you are finished
- Record your selections of the installation method for the target systems, the installation profile, and the distribution media.
- Record a strategy for distributing licensed information and ensure that information is ready to distribute.
- Ensure your user-defined program works as expected.
Next topic: When you have completed the tasks in this checklist, go to Checklist: Creating central site distribution media.