Q20: How do I run the Java ES installer?

Answer: To run the Java ES installer, you must be superuser on a host. You can install Java ES interactively using the graphical or text-based interface, or silently by means of a reusable script called a state file. The Java ES product documentation contains syntax and examples for using the installation commands in Appendix B, Installation Commands, in Sun Java Enterprise System 5 Installation Guide for UNIX.

• Graphical mode This interactive mode provides a wizard that leads you through the process of installing Java ES software on a graphical workstation. Instructions for using the graphical installer are contained in Chapter 3, Installing With the Graphical Interface, in Sun Java Enterprise System 5 Installation Guide for UNIX. The installer tutorial provides a walkthrough of the graphical installer. See Sun Java Enterprise System 5 Installer Tutorial for UNIX.

  To run the graphical installer, type the following at the command line: ./installer

• Text-based mode This interactive mode provides the same functionality as graphical mode, but you are prompted for responses on a line-by-line basis in a terminal window. Instructions for using the text-based installer are contained in Chapter 4, Installing With the Text-Based Interface, in Sun Java Enterprise System 5 Installation Guide for UNIX.

  To run the text-based installer, type the following at the command line: ./installer -nodisplay

• Silent mode Silent mode is a non-interactive method used for installing Java ES software on multiple hosts that share similar configurations. To create the installation script, you first perform an interactive session during which your responses to the installer are captured as a set of name-value pairs in a state file. You edit the state file for host specifics, then use the state file as input to run the installer on other hosts. This process allows you to propagate one configuration across multiple hosts in your enterprise. Instructions for using silent mode are contained in Chapter 5, Installing in Silent Mode, in Sun Java Enterprise System 5 Installation Guide for UNIX, including Appendix C, Example State File, in Sun Java Enterprise System 5 Installation Guide for UNIX.

At the end of a successful interactive installation session, you are given an option of registering your installation with Sun by using the Java ES Reporter utility. For a description of Java ES Reporter, refer to How Java ES Reporter Works in Sun Java Enterprise System 5 Installation Guide for UNIX.

To practice using the installer, type the following command which runs the graphical installer without installing software: ./installer -no