Software Management

The Software Management module is used to install and remove software on the Netra server. This module recognizes software that is supplied in the Solaris package, patch, or cluster formats. All Sun software and most third-party software can be managed using this module.

The list of packages, patches, and clusters are displayed in a selection box on the browser page. The performance is significantly improved when administered from HotJava.

A package is a collection of files and directories required to form a software application.

A cluster is a logical grouping of software packages associated with a specific software product.

A patch is a collection of files and directories that replace or update existing files and directories that are preventing proper execution of the software. The existing software is derived from a specified package format and can be installed only if the package it fixes is already present.

When installing or removing software associated with specific hardware, ensure that the hardware is already installed and is part of the system device list. For example, before you install the Token Ring Interface software, make sure that the Token Ring Interface card is installed in the Netra server and that the server has regenerated its list of attached devices (see "Restart and Shutdown").

Install and Remove Options

The Software Management module offers the following options:

• Select new installation medium - Use this option to set the installation medium from which to do future installs. Clusters, packages or patches to be installed on the Netra can be on installation media such as CD-ROM, diskette, or mounted directories. The CD-ROM is the default installation medium.

• Install clusters, packages, or patches - Use this option to install clusters, packages, or patches from the selected installation medium. Once the installation is complete, you should restart the Netra server.

• Remove packages or patches - Use this option to remove packages or patches that are installed on the Netra server. Once they are removed, you should restart the Netra server.

• View packages or patches - Use this option to see what packages or patches (if any) are installed on the Netra server.

To Specify the Installation Medium

1. From the Main Administration page, under "System Administration," click Software Management.

   The Software Management Administration page is displayed.

2. Under "Select Installation Medium," Select new installation medium.

   The Select Installation Medium page is displayed.

3. Choose the medium from which to install packages or patches.

   If you select CD-ROM or Diskette, the medium is automatically mounted onto the system as part of the installation. If you select Directory, enter the path to the directory from which to install the software.

To Install Clusters, Packages, or Patches

1. From the Main Administration page, under "System Administration," click Software Management.

   The Software Management Administration page is displayed.

2. Under "Install," click Clusters, Packages, or Patches.

3. Complete the form using the information in the following table.

   Table 9-10 Installing Packages or Patches

   Option	Description
   Install All Clusters/Packages/Patches	Installs all clusters, packages, or patches from the selected installation medium.
   Install Selected Clusters/Packages/Patches	Installs only the clusters, packages, or patches you select from the list. If you select this option, you must also select at least one cluster/package/patch; if you select any clusters/packages/patches, you must also select this option.

4. Click OK.

   When clicking OK to install software, you see a message stating that the module is currently installing software. If left as it is, the browser periodically reloads the page until the process has completed, after which it displays the result.

   Alternatively, you can perform other administration tasks and then return to the software module. The next time you visit the module, if the installation is incomplete, you see a message stating that the module is currently installing software; if the installation is complete, you see the result of the installation. The result lists all the successfully installed software and any problems.

5. Restart the Netra server using System Administration: Restart and Shutdown.

To Remove Packages or Patches

The Software Management module cannot remove a package if there is another package on the system that requires its presence. The module attempts to remove packages in the order in which they are displayed, and since this may not reflect the dependency order, the removal of a core package may fail even if the packages that depend upon it are also removed. If this happens, reselect the packages that failed and remove them again.

1. From the Main Administration page, under "System Administration," click Software Management.

   The Software Management Administration page is displayed.

2. Under "Remove," click Packages or Patches.

3. Select one or more Packages or Patches (or All patches); click OK.

4. Restart the Netra server using System Administration -> Restart and Shutdown.

To View Installed Packages or Patches

1. From the Main Administration page, under "System Administration," click Software Management.

   The Software Management Administration page is displayed.

2. Under "View," click Installed Packages or Installed patches.

   The Viewed Installed Packages or Viewed Installed Patches page is displayed.