Technical data

Installing, Upgrading, and Updating Software

3.7 Using the POLYCENTER Software Installation Utility

Table 3–4 Privileges Required by the POLYCENTER Software Installation Utility

Operations Privileges Required

COPY, EXTRACT, FIND, LIST, PACKAGE None

CONFIGURE, SHOW SYSLCK

UIC)

INSTALL, RECONFIGURE, REMOVE SYSLCK, SYSPRV (or a system UIC),

TMPMBX, and CMKRNL

Note that commands you execute from the kit you are installing might require

additional privileges. Check the installation guides that you receive with product

kits for these privileges.

3.7.1 Product Files and Databases

The following ﬁles are used by the POLYCENTER Software Installation utility:

• The product description ﬁle (PDF), is provided by the software

manufacturer. It contains all the information the POLYCENTER Software

Installation utility needs for installing either a software product or a set

of software products. The PDF includes a list of conﬁguration choices the

product offers, default choices, and product requirements (such as minimum

hardware conﬁgurations and system parameter values).

•Aproduct text ﬁle (PTF), is optionally supplied by the software

manufacturer. It provides information about the product. The information

includes product name, producer, conﬁguration choice descriptions, and

message text used during product installation.

•Aproduct conﬁguration ﬁle (PCF), is optional. It may be supplied by

software manufacturer, or you can create it by using the CONFIGURE

operation. A PCF contains responses to some or all of the installation

questions for a product. It can provide default or required choices, which may

differ from the default choices provided in the PDF.

• The product database (PDB), is created automatically by the

POLYCENTER Software Installation utility. When products are installed,

the ﬁles and other objects that make up the product, such as directories and

accounts, are recorded in the PDB. The conﬁguration choices made during

installation are also recorded.

You can access the PDB to show what products are installed and the

dependencies between them. You can also list the ﬁles and other objects

that make up each product, or the history of installation and upgrade activity.

3.7.2 Format of Software Product Kits

Software products compliant with the POLYCENTER Software Installation utility

are distributed in one of two formats:

• Sequential copy format. In this form, the PDF, the PTF, and all ﬁles that

comprise the product are packaged in a single container ﬁle. This container

ﬁle can be placed either on a random-access device, such as a compact disc, or

on a sequential access device, such as a magnetic tape. Most layered products

are distributed in sequential copy format.

3–16 Installing, Upgrading, and Updating Software