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Installing
An HCL Launch installation consists of the HCL Launch server, a database, and at least one agent.
Installing agents
You can install agents from the server or from the command line on the agent system. To configure a failover server for an agent, you must install the agent from the command line.
Installing an agent in a Kubernetes cluster
An agent is a light-weight software program that automates deployments. Agents facilitate rapid feedback and continuous delivery in agile development environments while providing the audit trails, versioning, and approvals needed in production.

Installing
An HCL Launch installation consists of the HCL Launch server, a database, and at least one agent.
- System requirements and performance considerations
  The HCL Launch server runs on Windows™ and UNIX™ systems. Following some guidelines can improve the performance of the server and agents.
- Firewall and communication configuration
  Before you install the server, you must ensure that servers, agents, and other systems can connect to each other through your networks and firewalls.
- Installing the server database
  HCL Launch requires a database. You can use the following database types for an evaluation or production server.
- Installing the server
  The server provides services such as the user interface used to configure application deployments, the workflow engine, the security service, and the artifact repository, among others. Installing the server involves specifying configuration information for the server, such as the ports that the server uses.
- Installing with Kubernetes
  The HCL Launch server can be installed in a cloud-based environment, as a containerized server cluster, managed by Kubernetes. HCL Launch works with Kubernetes to simplify application deployment and manage versions in the containers.
- Installing agents
  You can install agents from the server or from the command line on the agent system. To configure a failover server for an agent, you must install the agent from the command line.
  - Installing agents remotely
    You can install agents by using the HCL Launch web application.
  - Installing agents from the command line
    Installing an agent from the command line involves running a batch file or shell script and specifying information about how the agent connects to the server or agent relay.
  - Installing agents on Windows™ through WinRS
    You can install agents remotely on Windows™ systems through WinRS.
  - Installing agents in silent mode
    In silent mode, you specify the installation properties in a text file and then run the installation without command-line prompts.
  - Installing an agent in a Kubernetes cluster
    An agent is a light-weight software program that automates deployments. Agents facilitate rapid feedback and continuous delivery in agile development environments while providing the audit trails, versioning, and approvals needed in production.
    - Adding Functionality to HCL Launch Container Agent
      To extend the containerized agents, you need to add this functionality to the HCL Launch container agent.
  - Discovering agents automatically
    You can use HCL Launch to discover potential agent locations on UNIX™ and Windows™.
  - Running agents as services on IBM® AIX®
    You can set up agents to run as system services.
  - Running agents as services on Linux™
    You can set up agents to run as system services.
  - Installing agents as systemd services
    Systemd is a new approach to handle services on new versions of Linux, for example, RHEL 7 or later.
  - Reconfiguring agents
    You can use the agent configuration script to change agents. For example, you can connect an agent to a new server.
  - Agent installation properties
    The agent properties in the installed.properties file control details about the agent, including how it connects to the server.
- Installing agent relays
  An agent relay is a communication proxy for agents that are located behind a firewall or in another network location. You can install agent relays in interactive mode or in silent mode.
- Installing plug-ins
  Plug-ins can be installed at any time. You do not need to restart the server after you install a plug-in.
- Starting HCL Launch
  Both UNIX™ and Windows™ installations require the HCL Launch server and at least one agent. If you are using a database other than Derby, make sure that the appropriate driver is installed and configured.
- Backing up and recovering
  You can back up and recover the contents of your HCL Launch installation.
- Installing and uninstalling test fixes (patches) from the server
  Test fixes are provided by IBM® support to correct specific issues. They are applied to the server as patches.

Installing an agent in a Kubernetes cluster

An agent is a light-weight software program that automates deployments. Agents facilitate rapid feedback and continuous delivery in agile development environments while providing the audit trails, versioning, and approvals needed in production.

Before you begin

Ensure that you complete the following prerequisite tasks:

Set up a working Kubernetes cluster.
Create a project/namespace where the HCL Launch agent will run.

For more information, refer to the README topic below.

About this task

You can install a containerized version of the HCL Launchagent in aKubernetes cluster by using a Helm chart.

To install using a Helm chart, see README for Helm charts.