Updating the software catalog to ensure accuracy of software discovery and reporting

The software catalog is automatically updated during every upgrade of . However, as an exception, you can manually update the software catalog for troubleshooting purposes.

Before you begin

  • 9.2.11 Starting from application update 9.2.11, the Software Catalog Update task automatically triggers the following actions:
    • The catalog is downloaded to the following directory:
      • Linux icon/opt/ibm/BFI/wlp/usr/servers/server1/data/sam/catalog/BFI
      • Windows icon C:\Program Files\IBM\BFI\wlp\usr\servers\server1\data\sam\catalog\BFI
    • The catalog is automatically uploaded to the BigFix Inventory server during the next import of data. No additional actions are required.
  • For versions before 9.2.11, the software catalog is downloaded with the Software Catalog Update task but it still needs to be manually uploaded to the BigFix Inventory server according to this procedure. An icon representing a user. You must have the Manage Uploads permission to perform this task.
  • If the computer where the BigFix server is installed does not have the Internet access, ensure that the content of the BigFix Inventory site is up-to-date before you download the catalog. For more information, see: Updating the fixlet site.

About this task

The software catalog is called BFI_Catalog_version-timestamp.zip and consists of the following files:
  • Software catalog in canonical 2.0 format: IBMSoftwareCatalog_canonical_2.0_form_date.xml.
  • 9.2.5 Software catalog in canonical 3.0 format: IBMExtendedCatalog_canonical_3.0_form_date.xml. The file consists of low priority applications; for example, open source software, freeware, and games. The content of the file will be expanded to include high priority business applications with time. The file is included in each software catalog, however, it is ignored by BigFix Inventory versions lower than 9.2.5.
  • Charge unit data file that contains information about charge unit definitions, their relations with products, and some additional parameters: charge_unit_parameters_dataversion_version.csv.
  • Part numbers file that contains information about part numbers that are used for software licensing purposes: part_numbers_dataversion_version.csv.
  • Catalog metadata file that describes the software catalog: catalog_package.properties.
  • 9.2.13 FlexPoint bundles file that contains information about products that can be assigned to each of the available FlexPoint Offerings: flexpoint_bundles_dataversion_version.csv

Procedure

  • 9.2.11 For versions 9.2.11 and higher
    1. Log in to the BigFix console.
    2. In the navigation bar, click Sites > External Sites > IBM BigFix Inventory v9 > Fixlets and Tasks.
    3. In the upper-right pane, select Software Catalog Update, and then click Take Action. The action is applicable only on the computer on which the BigFix Inventory server is installed. Select the computer, and click OK.
      If the task is not applicable on that computer, see: Catalog problems.
    4. Wait for the scheduled import of data or run it manually.
  • For versions before 9.2.11
    1. Download the software catalog
      1. Log in to the BigFix console.
      2. In the navigation bar, click Sites > External Sites > IBM BigFix Inventory v9 > Fixlets and Tasks.
      3. In the upper-right pane, select Software Catalog Update, and choose the option to download the software catalog for BigFix Inventory version before 9.2.11.0.
      4. Optional: Copy the file to the computer from which you access the BigFix Inventory web user interface.
    2. Upload the software catalog to BigFix Inventory.
      1. Log in to BigFix Inventory.
      2. In the navigation bar, click Management > Catalog Upload.
      3. Click Browse and select the software catalog file.
      4. To upload the file, click Upload. The software catalog file and the charge unit data are listed in the Upload and Import History table. Their status is Pending.
      5. Wait for the scheduled import of data or run it manually.

Results

During the import, scanner catalogs that are used for software discovery are created and automatically distributed to the computers in your infrastructure.

What to do next

If the automatic distribution of scanner catalogs fails, computers on which the catalog was not updated have the Outdated Catalog status on the Scan Health widget. You must manually update scanner catalogs on these computers. If you use the disconnected scanner, distribute the downloaded software catalog to each computer.