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Installing
Learn about the requirements and available installation scenarios to ensure that the deployment of BigFix Inventory goes smoothly in your environment.
Installing on Windows
A complete deployment of BigFix Inventory on Windows requires the installation of three components: the BigFix platform, the BigFix Inventory server, and an MS SQL database. Additionally, a BigFix client must be installed on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data. You can install all components from scratch or add the BigFix Inventory server to the existing BigFix infrastructure. Depending on the environment size, you can install all components on a single computer, or distribute them among multiple computers.
Step-by-step installation guide
Use the step-by-step installation guide to ensure that you complete all steps necessary to successfully install BigFix Inventory on Windows.

Installing
Learn about the requirements and available installation scenarios to ensure that the deployment of BigFix Inventory goes smoothly in your environment.
- Planning the installation
  Before you start the installation, review information about hardware and software requirements and other considerations to ensure that the installation completes successfully.
- Installing on Windows
  A complete deployment of BigFix Inventory on Windows requires the installation of three components: the BigFix platform, the BigFix Inventory server, and an MS SQL database. Additionally, a BigFix client must be installed on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data. You can install all components from scratch or add the BigFix Inventory server to the existing BigFix infrastructure. Depending on the environment size, you can install all components on a single computer, or distribute them among multiple computers.
  - Step-by-step installation guide
    Use the step-by-step installation guide to ensure that you complete all steps necessary to successfully install BigFix Inventory on Windows.
  - Installing the BigFix platform
    The BigFix platform is the core of the BigFix Inventory infrastructure. It consists of a server that coordinates the flow of data to and from the monitored computers, an administrative console, and clients that collect data from the computers in your infrastructure. Before you can install BigFix Inventory, install all components of the BigFix platform.
  - Installing BigFix Inventory
    Before you start the installation of BigFix Inventory on Windows, ensure that an MS SQL Server is installed in your infrastructure. Then, enable a dedicated fixlet site in the BigFix console and download the BigFix Inventory installer. Next, run the installation in interactive or silent mode.
  - Uninstalling
    To remove BigFix Inventory from your infrastructure, stop the application-specific actions and analyses that are running on the computers and uninstall the scanner. Then, remove the VM Manager Tool. Finally, uninstall the BigFix Inventory server. You can also remove the related database.
- Installing on Linux
  A complete deployment of BigFix Inventory on Linux requires the installation of three components: the BigFix platform, the BigFix Inventory server, and DB2 database. Additionally, a BigFix client must be installed on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data. Depending on the environment size, you can install all components on a single computer, or distribute them among multiple computers.
- Installation-related tasks
  If you encounter problems during the installation, you can check details related to the problem, fix it, and then resume the installation. If the BigFix and BigFix Inventory servers are in separated networks, you can disable the automatic address lookup to avoid problems with initial configuration. Learn how to check the current application and catalog version to make sure that your installation and initial configuration were successful.

Step-by-step installation guide for Windows

Use the step-by-step installation guide to ensure that you complete all steps necessary to successfully install BigFix Inventory on Windows.

Table 1. Step-by-step guide for installing and configuring BigFix Inventory
Stage	Installation step
1.	Plan the installation to ensure that the computer on which you want to install BigFix Inventory fulfills the following requirements: Runs on a supported operating system Fulfills the minimum hardware requirements Has sufficient disk space Has the required software installed
2	Install the BigFix platform Create the license authorization file Download the BigFix installer Install the BigFix server, console and the first client Install the BigFix client on every computer from which you want to collect software inventory data Tip: You can install the clients at this point or proceed with the installation of BigFix Inventory and install the clients later on.
3	Install BigFix Inventory Install MS SQL Server Enable the BigFix Inventory fixlet site Install the BigFix Inventory server Perform initial configuration Verify the current application and catalog version
4	Create users and groups to give users access to BigFix Inventory and to define computers for which they can see data. Set up users Set up computer groups
5	Set up scans to discover software and hardware inventory in your infrastructure. Important: The steps are not required if you enabled the default scan configuration during the installation. Optional: Distribute scans for improved performance Activate the required analyses Install the scanner Initiate software scans Schedule uploads of software scan results Collect capacity data