Installing BigFix on Linux

To install the BigFix platform on Linux, run the install.sh script and go through the installation of the BigFix server, DB2 database, and the first BigFix client. Then, install the BigFix console on a Windows computer.

Before you begin

The BigFix platform installed on Linux requires DB2 as a database. You can use an existing instance of DB2 or install it together with BigFix.

About this task

The following procedure shows the most common installation scenario for Linux. If it does not fit your environment, you need more information about each step, or other installation tasks, see: Installing on Linux systems in the BigFix documentation.

Procedure

  1. Go to the directory with the installation package, and extract the installation files.
    tar xvf installation_package
  2. From the extracted directory, go to ServerInstaller_n.n.nnn.n-rhe6.x86_64, and run the installation script.
    ./install.sh
  3. To choose the production installation, enter 2.
    Select the type of installation
    	[1] Evaluation: Request a free evaluation license from BigFix. 
    This license allows you to install a fully functional copy of the 
    BigFix on up to 1000 clients, for a period of 30 days.
    [2] Production: Install using a production license or an authorization
    1for a production license.
    Choose one of the options above or press Enter to accept the default value: [1] 
  4. To accept the license agreement, enter 1.
  5. To install all BigFix components, enter 1.
    Select the BigFix features you want to install:
    [1]  All Components (server, client, and WebReports)
    [2]  Server and client Only
    [3]  WebReports Only
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [1]
  6. To create a single or master database, enter 1.
    Select the database replication:
    [1]  Single or master database
    [2]  Replicated database
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [1]
  7. To use a local instance of DB2, enter 1.
    Select the database:
    [1]  Use a local database
    [2]  Use a remote database
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [1]
  8. Specify the installation location for BigFix.
    Choose the server's root folder:
    Specify the location for the server's root folder or 
    press <Enter> to accept the default value: /var/opt/BESServer
    
  9. Specify the installation location for Web Reports.
    Choose the WebReports server's root folder:
    Specify the location for the WebReports server's root folder or 
    press <Enter> to accept the default value: /var/opt/BESWebReportsServer
    
  10. Enter the port number for Web Reports.
    Since version 9.5.2, freshly installed Web Reports 
    is automatically configured to use HTTPS. 
    Choose the WebReports server's port number:
    Specify the port number or press <Enter> to accept the default value: 8083
    
  11. The installer checks if DB2 is installed on the server. To install it automatically from the files that are bundled with BigFix, enter 1.
    DB2 installation check
    The installer does not detect if DB2 is installed on the system. 
    Specify which option corresponds to your installation:
    [1]  DB2 is not installed, install it.
    [2]  DB2 is installed, use the installed instance.
    [3]  Exit from the installation.
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [1
  12. Default settings containing DB2 users and installation path are listed. To accept them and proceed with the installation, enter 1.
    DB2 installation
    DB2 will be installed using the following settings:
    	DB2 instance owner: db2inst1
    	DB2 fenced user: db2fenc1
    	DB2 administration server user: dasusr1
    	DB2 communication port: 50000
    	DB2 installation directory: /opt/ibm/db2/V10.5
    If you want to use different value for these settings specify them 
    in the installation response file. Refer to the product documentation
    for further details.
    [1]  Proceed to install DB2.
    [2]  Exit from the installation.
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [1]
    
  13. Specify a password for the DB2 administrative users.
    DB2 administrative user password:
    Specify the password for the DB2 administrative users:
    
  14. Enter the user name and password for the initial administrative user of BigFix or press Enter to use the default IEMAdmin. This user is required to log in to the BigFix console.
  15. To run the installation using a license authorization file, enter 1.
    Choose the type of setup that best suits your needs:
    [1]  I want to install with a BES license authorization file.
    [2]  I want to install with a production license that I already have.
    [3]  I want to install with an existing masthead.
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [1]
    
  16. If you are not using a proxy, enter 2.
    Proxy usage
    [1]  Use the proxy to access the internet
    [2]  Do not use the proxy
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [2]
    
  17. Specify the location of your license authorization file.
    License authorization location
    Enter the location of the license authorization file that 
    you received from BigFix or press <Enter> to accept the default value: 
    ./license/LicenseAuthorization.BESLicenseAuthorization
  18. Specify the DNS name or IP address of the server on which you are performing the installation, or press Enter to accept the default value.
  19. Specify the site admin private key password.
  20. Specify the key size to encrypt the credentials.
    Key size level
    Provide the key size that you want to use:
    [1]  'Min' level (2048 bits)
    [2]  'Max' level (4096 bits)
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [2]
    
  21. Specify the License folder in which the license file is to be generated and saved.
    Choose the license folder:
    Specify a folder for your private key (license.pvk), the license certificate (license.crt), 
    and the site masthead (masthead.afxm) or press <Enter> to accept the default value: ./license
    
  22. Submit the request to BigFix to obtain the license certificate:
    • If your server can access the internet, enter 1. The request will be submitted automatically.
    • If your server cannot access the Internet, enter 2, and submit the request manually:
      1. The request.BESLicenseRequest is generated and saved to a folder with your license files. Copy this request to a computer with internet access.
      2. On the computer with internet access, go to BES License Request Handler and submit the request file.
      3. The license.crt file is saved to your computer. Copy it back to the BigFix server.
      4. Return to the installation and enter 1 to import the certificate and continue with the installation.
  23. Specify the value of the deployment encoding (FXF encoding) that will be used for the content.
  24. To accept the default masthead values, enter 1.
    Advanced masthead parameters
    The masthead will be created using the following defaults:
    	Server port number: 52311
    	Use of FIPS 140-2 compliant cryptography: Disabled
    	Gather interval: One Day
    	Initial action lock: Unlocked
    	Action lock controller: Console
    	Action lock exemptions: Disabled
    	Unicode filenames in archives: Enabled
    The above default values are suitable for most of BigFix deployments.
    [1]  Use default values
    [2]  Use custom values
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [1]
  25. To run Web Reports as a root, enter 1.
    Use root user for WebReports
    If you specify true, WebReports service will run with root privileges.
    [1]  True
    [2]  False
    Choose one of the options above or press <Enter> to accept the default value: [2]
    
  26. When the installation is complete, install the BigFix console.
    Important: The BigFix console is supported only on Windows.
    1. Go to /var/opt/BESInstallers.
    2. Copy the Console folder to a Windows computer.
    3. On the Windows computer, run the setup.exe script, and follow instructions in the installation wizard.
  27. If you want to install the BigFix Inventory server on a different computer, install the BigFix client on that computer.

What to do next

You can proceed with the installation of the BigFix client on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data or with the installation of the BigFix Inventory server. You can perform these tasks in any order.