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 by using
group mode.
Important: Not all IBM packages
support group mode. Check the documentation for your 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.
Important: The shared resources directory in group mode can
be specified only the first time you install a package. Use your largest
drive for this installation. You cannot change the directory location
until you uninstall all packages.
Installing in group mode with the user interface
Use the Installation Manager user interface in group mode to install software packages:- Choose a group ID for all users who are running the group Installation Manager.
- Perform one of the following steps:
- Assign the primary group ID for all users to the chosen group ID.
- Before you run the group Installation Manager, run the newgrp command to change to the chosen group ID.
- Use the sg command to run the group Installation Manager with the chosen group ID.
For information about permissions, see Permissions in group mode.
Table 1. Example User Primary group Other groups User_A wasadmin User_A User_B wasadmin User_B - Set the environment variables for changing shortcuts from the default application data location.
- Install Installation
Manager in
group mode. See Start with the installation kit to install Installation Manager.Note: As you 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.
- Begin installing packages in group mode by 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, you 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.