Recording a response file using Installation Manager without installing

You can record a response file to install, modify, or uninstall IBM Installation Manager or a Rational product.

About this task

Recording a response file does not require the product to be installed, modified, or uninstalled. You must use the -skipInstall <agentDataLocation> command-line argument. Using -skipInstall is faster because Installation Manager does not install or uninstall the product; it only records installation data. The <agentDataLocation> must be a writable directory. For information about command-line arguments, see IBM Installation Manager command-line arguments

What to do next

If you want to record updates or modifications to a product, record license management, or record uninstalling the product, you must use the same <agentDataLocation> in subsequent recording sessions. The <agentDataLocation> must exist before recording a response file.
Note: Installed products or preferences, including repository settings, that you record when not using -skipInstall option are not stored in the <agentDataLocation>.
Attention: To record different response files for the same product, you must create a separate writable directory for each response file. The -skipInstall option records additional upgrades, modifications to the set of installed features or uninstall for the specific product installation.

You must record a response file on the same platform that you are installing on.  For example, to install on a Windows machine, you must record the response file on a Windows machine.  You can record a response file on Windows XP and use the response file on Windows 2003.  To install on a Linux machine, you must record the response file on a Linux machine.

If you plan to install on multiple platforms, you must have a response file for each platform. You can download a sample response file for the different platforms and manually edit the response file. If you edit a sample response file, you do not need to install Installation Manager. You can also record a response file for the different platforms. To record the response files, you must install Installation Manager on each platform.  For example, you install Installation Manager on a Windows platform and on an AIX platform to create response files for Windows machines and AIX machines.

Recording a response file for Installation Manager

Procedure

To record installation data for the installation of Installation Manager:

  1. Extract the Installation Manager installation files. Note: The Installation Manager installation files are included with the Rational product. When you extract the Rational product installation files, you are extracting the Installation Manager installation files at the same time.
  2. Open a command prompt to the InstallerImage_platform directory.
  3. To start recording, use the command:
    • Windows® as admin: installc.exe -record <response file path and name> -skipInstall <agentDataLocation> -vmargs -Dcom.ibm.cic.agent.hidden=false
    • Windows as non-admin: userinstc.exe -record <response file path and name> -skipInstall <agentDataLocation> -vmargs -Dcom.ibm.cic.agent.hidden=false
      Note: On Windows, it is not supported to use install.exe for silent installs. Use installc.exe for silent installs.
    • Linux® and UNIX® systems: ./install -record <response file path and name> -skipInstall <agentDataLocation>
    For information about installing as an administrator or non-administrator, see Installing as an administrator or nonadministrator
  4. Installation Manager starts. The text "(Recording...)" displays in the Installation Manager title when you are recording a response file.
  5. In the Installation Manager interface, you can change preferences and directory locations for the installation. These changes are recorded in the response file.
  6. Close Installation Manager once the Install wizard is complete. The recording is not complete until Installation Manager is closed.

Recording a response file for a product install

Procedure

To record installation data for a product install with the Installation Manager installer, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the InstallerImage_platform directory where you extracted Installation Manager.
  2. Enter the following command:
    • Windows: IBMIMc.exe -record <response file path and name> -skipInstall <agentDataLocation>
      Note:  On Windows, it is not supported to use the command IBMIM.exe for silent installs. Use IBMIMc.exe for silent installs. Use IBMIM.exe for installations that are not silent and when recording a response file. Do not use the command IBMIMc on Linux and UNIX systems.
    • Linux and UNIX systems: ./IBMIM -record <response file path and name> -skipInstall <agentDataLocation>
    Example command:
    • Windows: IBMIMc -record c:\mylog\responsefile.xml -skipInstall c:\temp\recordData
    • Linux and UNIX systems: ./IBMIM –record /response_files/install_product.xml -skipInstall skipInstall/IBM_product
  3. Installation Manager opens to the Install wizard. Step through the wizard, accepting, or modifying the default values.
  4. Close Installation Manager once the Install wizard is finished. The recording is not complete until Installation Manager is closed.

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