Group mode roadmaps and the user interface

On Linux, UNIX, IBM z/OS, and the OS X platforms, users can share packages in a common location and manage the packages with the same instance of Installation Manager using group mode. Not all IBM packages support group mode. Check the documentation for the package for group mode support. By using one of your predefined user groups, all users in the group can run the same instance of Installation Manager to manage packages that are enabled for group mode. Group mode is not available on Windows and IBM i platforms. The group owns the shared resource directory, the installation location of the Installation Manager, and all packages. The shared resources directory in group mode can be specified only the first time we install a package. Use your largest drive for this installation. We cannot change the directory location until we uninstall all packages.


Install in group mode with the user interface

Use the Installation Manager user interface in group mode to install software packages:
  1. Choose a group ID for all users who are running the group Installation Manager.

  2. Perform one of the following steps:

    1. Assign the primary group ID for all users to the chosen group ID.
    2. Before we run the group Installation Manager, run the newgrp command to change to the chosen group ID.
    3. Use the sg command to run the group Installation Manager with the chosen group ID.

    For information about permissions, see Permissions in group mode.

    User Primary group Other groups
    User_A wasadmin User_A
    User_B wasadmin User_B

  3. Set the environment variables for changing shortcuts from the default application data location.

  4. Install Installation Manager in group mode. See Start with the installation kit to install Installation Manager. As we install Installation Manager in group mode, perform the following actions:

    • Change the application data location from the default location in the home directory of the current user to a location that is read/write accessible by all users in the group.

    • Change the installation location from the default location in the home directory of the current user to a location that is read/write accessible by all users in the group.

  5. Begin installing packages in group mode using the Installation Manager user interface.

    • Specify the shared resources directory in a location that is accessible by all users in the group and has enough disk space. To change the shared resources directory later, we must uninstall all packages and reinstall the packages in the new location.
    • Change the installation location from the default location in the home directory of the current user to a location that is read/write accessible by all users in the group.
Related reference:
  • Installation Manager features

    Related information:

    Group mode roadmaps and silent installations Agent data location Install as an administrator, nonadministrator, or group
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