You can install managed systems software by using several methods. The Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD provides installation scripts and RPM packages to install, upgrade, and uninstall Dell OpenManage™ Server Administrator and other managed system software components on your managed system. Additionally, you can install Server Administrator on multiple systems through an unattended installation across a network.
NOTE: See the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD's readme_ins.txt file for a list of the systems that are currently supported.
Unattended and Scripted Silent Installation
You can use the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD to perform an unattended and scripted silent installation of managed systems software through the command line (using RPM packages) on systems running supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating systems.
Before You Begin
Read the installation requirements to ensure that your system meets or exceeds the minimum requirements.
Read the Server Administrator Compatibility Guide. This guide contains compatibility information about Server Administrator installation and operation on various hardware platforms running supported Microsoft® Windows®, Novell® NetWare®, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating systems.
Read the Dell OpenManage installation readme_ins.txt file on the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD. The file contains the latest information about new features, fixes, and hardware requirements, in addition to information about known issues.
Read the Server Administrator readme file on the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD. The file contains the latest information about software, firmware, and driver versions, in addition to information about known issues.
Read the installation instructions for your operating system.
Installation Requirements
The following sections describe the general requirements for managed systems software.
Supported Operating System Versions
The managed systems software runs, at a minimum, on each of the following operating systems:
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES, and WS, (version 3)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES, and WS, (version 3) for Intel® Extended Memory 64 Technology (Intel EM64T)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES, and WS, (version 4) for Intel x86
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES, and WS, (version 4) for Intel EM64T
NOTE: See the Server Administrator readme file on the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD or the Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Compatibility Guide on the documentation CD for the latest detailed list of the Server Administrator services that are supported on each supported operating system.
System Requirements
Managed systems software must be installed on each system to be managed. You can then manage each system running the managed systems software locally or remotely through a supported Web browser.
Managed System Requirements
One of the supported operating system versions.
A minimum of 64 MB of RAM.
A minimum of 256 MB of free hard drive space.
Administrator rights.
A TCP/IP connection on the monitored system and the remote system to facilitate remote system management.
The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
A mouse, keyboard, and monitor to manage a system locally. The monitor requires a minimum screen resolution of 800 x 600. The recommended screen resolution setting is 1024 x 768.
The Server Administrator Remote Access Service requires that a remote access controller (RAC) be installed on the system to be managed.
See the DellRemote Access Controller 4 User's Guide or the Dell Embedded Remote Access Controller/MC User's Guide for complete software and hardware requirements.
The Server Administrator Storage Management Service requires that Dell OpenManage Storage Management be installed on the system in order to be properly managed. See the Dell OpenManage Server Administrator User's Guide for complete software and hardware requirements.
Supported Systems Management Protocol Standards
A supported systems management protocol standard must be installed on the managed system before installing Server Administrator. On supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating systems, Server Administrator only supports the SNMP systems management standard. You must install the SNMP package provided with the operating system. CIM and WMI are unavailable.
NOTE: For information about installing a supported system management protocol standard on your managed system, see your operating system documentation.
Installation Procedures
This section explains how to install, upgrade, and uninstall Server Administrator on an IA32 system that is running a supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system. Server Administrator can be installed and upgraded from the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD using the Red Hat Enterprise Linux command line.
Additionally, Server Administrator includes Dynamic Kernel Support (DKS), a feature that automatically builds a device driver for a running kernel if Server Administrator detects that none of its prebuilt device drivers support that kernel. This section includes the following topics:
Dynamic Kernel Support (DKS)
Installing and Upgrading managed system software
Performing an Unattended Installation of the managed system software
Uninstalling Server Administrator
Software License Agreement
The software license for the Red Hat Enterprise Linux version of the Dell OpenManage software is located on the CD in the root directory. Read the license.htm file. By installing or copying any of the files on this CD, you are agreeing to the terms found in this file. This file is also copied to the root of the software tree where you choose to install the Dell OpenManage software.
Dynamic Kernel Support (DKS)
Server Administrator provides precompiled device drivers for the precompiled kernels listed in the Server Administrator readme file on the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD. If the running kernel is not one of the precompiled kernels listed in the readme file, or if the running kernel is reconfigured and recompiled in such a way that none of the precompiled Server Administrator device drivers support the recompiled kernel, then Server Administrator may need to use its DKS feature to support the running kernel.
If you see the following message during Server Administrator Device Drivers startup, then Server Administrator attempted to use its DKS feature, but was unable to use the feature because certain prerequisites were not met:
Building dcd*** device driver using DKS... [FAILED]
NOTE: Server Administrator logs messages to the /var/log/messages log file.
To use DKS, you should identify which kernel you have running, then check the DKS prerequisites.
Determining the Running Kernel
Log in as root.
Type the following command at a console and press <Enter>: uname -r
The system displays a message identifying the running kernel. If it is not one of those listed in the managed system software readme file, then the managed system software may need to use DKS to support it.
Dynamic Kernel Support Prerequisites
For managed system software to use DKS, the following dependencies must be met before starting Server Administrator.
The running kernel must have loadable module support enabled.
The source for building kernel modules for the running kernel must be available from /lib/modules/`uname –r`/build. On systems running Red Hat Enterprise Linux (version 3 and below), the kernel-source RPM provides the necessary kernel source. On systems running Red Hat Enterprise Linux (version 4), the kernel*-devel RPMs provide the necessary kernel source for building kernel modules.
The GNU make utility must be installed. The make RPM provides this utility.
The GNU C compiler (gcc) must be installed. The gcc RPM provides this compiler.
The GNU linker (ld) must be installed. The binutils RPM provides this linker.
When these prerequisites have been met, DKS will automatically build a device driver when needed during Server Administrator startup.
Using Dynamic Kernel Support After Server Administrator Installation
To enable Server Administrator to support a kernel that is not supported by a precompiled device driver and is loaded after Server Administrator has been installed, perform the following steps:
Ensure that the DKS prerequisites are met on the system to be managed.
Boot the new kernel on the system.
Server Administrator builds a device driver for the kernel running on the system the first time that Server Administrator starts after the kernel is loaded. By default, Server Administrator starts during system startup.
Copying a Dynamically Built Device Driver to Systems Running the Same Kernel
When Server Administrator dynamically builds a device driver for the running kernel, it installs the device driver into the /lib/modules/kernel/misc directory, where kernel is the kernel name (returned by typing uname -r). If you have a system running the same kernel for which a device driver was built, you can copy the newly built device driver to the /var/omsa/dks/kernel directory on the other system for use by Server Administrator. This action allows Server Administrator to use DKS on multiple systems without having to install the kernel source on every system.
An example is the following scenario: System A is running a kernel that is not supported by one of the Server Administrator precompiled device drivers. System B is running the same kernel. Perform the following steps to build a device driver on system A and copy the device driver to system B for use by Server Administrator:
Ensure that the DKS prerequisites are met on system A.
Start Server Administrator on system A.
Server Administrator builds a device driver for the kernel running on system A during startup.
Type uname -r on system A to determine the name of the running kernel.
Copy any dcd*.* files in the /lib/modules/kernel/misc/ directoryon system A to the
/var/omsa/dks/kernel directory on system B, where kernel is the kernel name returned by typing
uname -r in step 4.
NOTE: The /lib/modules/kernel/misc directory contains two or more of the following files: dcdbas.*, dcdesm.*, dcdipm.*, or dcdtvm.*.
NOTE: You might have to create the /var/omsa/dks/kerneldirectory on system B. For example, if the kernel name is 1.2.3-4smp, you can create the directory by typing: mkdir -p /var/omsa/dks/1.2.3-4smp
Start Server Administrator on system B.
Server Administrator detects that the device driver you copied to the /var/omsa/dks/kerneldirectory supports the running kernel and uses that device driver.
NOTE: You can also use this procedure when upgrading Server Administrator if the new version of Server Administrator does not support the running kernel with a precompiled device driver.
NOTE: When you have uninstalled Server Administrator from system B, the /var/omsa/dks/kernel/dcd*.* files that you copied to system B are not removed. You must remove the files if they are no longer needed.
Installing and Upgrading Managed System Software
This section explains how to install and upgrade managed system software using the following installation options:
Use the srvadmin-install.sh shell script for a custom installation, in either interactive or silent mode
Use an RPM to perform an unattended installation of managed system software on multiple systems
Prerequisites for Installing Managed System Software
You must be logged in as root.
The running kernel must have loadable module support enabled.
Your /opt directory must have at least 250 MB of free space, and your /tmp and /var directories each must have at least 20 MB of free space. If you choose to use a non-default directory for the installation, then that directory also must have at least 250 MB of free space.
The ucd-snmp or net-snmp package that is provided with the operating system must be installed. If you want to use supporting agents for the ucd-snmp or net-snmp agent, you must install the operating system support for the SNMP standard before you install Server Administrator. For more information about installing SNMP, see the installation instructions for the operating system you are running on your system.
NOTE: When installing an RPM package in Red Hat Enterprise Linux, to avoid warnings concerning the RPM–GPG key, import the key with a command similar to the following:
You must install all the prerequisite RPMs required for successful installation. Please see the Server Administrator readme file on the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD.
Installing Managed System Software Using the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server
Management CD
The Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD uses RPMs to install each component. The CD is divided into subdirectories to enable easy-to-execute Express Install or Custom Install paths.
If you would like to review the software before you install it, follow this procedure:
Load the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD into your
system's CD drive.
If necessary, use the command line to mount the CD using a command such as: mount /mnt/cdrom
When you have mounted the CD, you can navigate to it with cd /mnt/cdrom/srvadmin/linux/
Get a listing of the directories with ls.
The directories on the CD that pertain to Red Hat Enterprise Linux are the following:
srvadmin/linux
srvadmin/linux/express-install-with-RAC3
srvadmin/linux/express-install-with-RAC4
srvadmin/linux/custom
srvadmin/linux/RPMS
srvadmin/linux/supportscripts
Express Install
You can follow either of two paths for the Express Install. One is using the RPMs yourself to perform the Express Install, and the other is using a provided shell script to perform the express installation in silent and unattended mode.
Using the RPMs Yourself To Perform the Express Installation
Log on as root to the system running the supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating
system where you want to install the managed system components.
Insert the Dell PowerEdgeInstallation and Server Management CD into the CD drive.
If necessary, use the command line to mount the CD using a command such as: mount /mnt/cdrom
To perform an express installation with Dell™ Remote Access Card III (DRAC III), navigate
to the srvadmin/linux/express-install-with-RAC3 directory.
or
To perform an Express Install with Dell Remote Access Controller 4 (DRAC 4), navigate to srvadmin/linux/express-install-with-RAC4 directory.
NOTE: If your server belongs to the group of Dell PowerEdge™ x8xx servers (for example, PowerEdge1850, 2850, and so on), navigate to the express-install-with-RAC4 directory.
If your server belongs to a supported group of earlier PowerEdge servers (for example, PowerEdge 1750, 2600, and so on), navigate to the express-install-with-RAC3 directory.
Install all of the RPMs in the directory to which you have navigated. Use the
following command:
rpm -ihv *.rpm
Server Administrator services do not start automatically.
Start the Server Administrator services after the installation using the srvadmin-services.sh
script by using the sh srvadmin-services start command.
Using the Shell Script To Perform the Express Silent and Unattended Installation
Log on as root to the system running the supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating
system where you want to install the managed system components.
Insert the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD into the CD drive.
If necessary, use the command line to mount the CD using a command such as: mount /mnt/cdrom
Navigate to the srvadmin/linux/supportscripts directory.
Run the srvadmin-install.sh shell script as shown below, which performs a silent and
unattended express installation. All of the components, including any applicable remote
access controller (DRAC III or DRAC 4) software components, will be installed.
sh srvadmin-install.sh --express
or
sh srvadmin-install.sh -x
NOTE: If a remote access controller is not present, then RAC software components will not be installed.
Server Administrator services do not start automatically.
Start the Server Administrator services after the installation using the srvadmin-services.sh
script by using the sh srvadmin-services start command.
Custom Install
Managed system software provides two custom installation paths. One is RPM-based, with pre-configured custom directories, and the other is shell script-based.
Using Pre-configured Custom Directories to Perform the Custom Installation
See Table 7-1 for details about using the RPMs to perform a custom installation using pre-configured custom directories.
Table 7-1. Custom Installation Using Pre-Configured Directories
Directory
Details
To facilitate an RPM-based custom installation, add the RPMs from the following directory:
/srvadmin/linux/custom/srvadmin-base
Contains base Server Administrator with command line interface
Then customize the installation by adding the RPMs from the following directories:
/srvadmin/linux/custom/add-diagnostics
Diagnostics component packages
/srvadmin/linux/custom/add-RAC3
DRAC III component packages
/srvadmin/linux/custom/add-RAC4
DRAC 4 component packages
/srvadmin/linux/custom/add-storageservices
Storage Management component packages
/srvadmin/linux/custom/add-webserver
Web Server component packages
The following is an example of custom RPMs-based installation of Server Administrator, including the installation of the Storage Management Service and Diagnostics Service components.
Log on as root to the system running the supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating
system where you want to install the managed system components.
Insert the Dell PowerEdgeInstallation and Server Management CD into the CD drive.
If necessary, mount the CD using a command such as: mount /mnt/cdrom.
NOTE: The add-RAC3 and add-RAC4 packages are mutually exclusive.
Server Administrator services do not start automatically.
Start the Server Administrator services after the installation by using the command:
sh srvadmin-services start
Using the Shell Script to Perform the Custom Installation
You can run the Server Administrator Custom Install script in interactive mode or in silent and unattended mode.
The basic usage of the script is:
srvadmin-install.sh [OPTION]...
Server Administrator Custom Installation Utility
This utility will run in interactive mode if you do not specify any options, and it will run silently if you provide one or more options.
The options are:
[-x|--express] installs all components including RAC. Any other options passed will be ignored.
[-b|--base] installs Base components.
[-d|--diags] installs Diagnostics components, including Base.
[-s|--storage] installs Storage components, including Base.
[-r|--rac]installs applicable RAC components, including Base.
[-w|--web] installs Web Server components, including Base.
Using the Custom Install Script To Run in the Silent and Unattended Mode
The following is an example of a silent and unattended custom installation using the srvadmin-install.sh shell script.
Log on as root to the system running the supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating
system where you want to install the managed system components.
Insert the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD into the CD drive.
If necessary, mount the CD using a command such as: mount /mnt/cdrom.
Navigate to the srvadmin/linux/supportscripts directory.
To install Diagnostic Service and Storage Management Service components, type the
following command.
sh srvadmin-install.sh --diags --storage (these are long options)
or
sh srvadmin-install.sh -ds (these are short options)
NOTE: Long options can be combined with short options, and vice-versa.
Server Administrator services do not start automatically.
Start Server Administrator the services after the installation by using the sh srvadmin-servicesstart command.
Using the Shell Script to Perform the Custom Installation in Interactive Mode
This procedure uses the installation shell script to prompt you for the installation of specific components through the installation.
Log on as root to the system running the supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating
system where you want to install the managed system components.
Insert the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD into the CD drive.
If necessary, mount the CD using the mount /mnt/cdrom command.
Navigate to the srvadmin/linux/supportscripts directory.
Execute the script with the sh srvadmin-install.sh command, which displays a list of
component options. If any of the components are already installed, then those components
are listed separately with a check mark next to them. The Server Administrator custom
installation options are displayed.
Choose C to copy, I to install, R to reset and start over, or Q to quit.
If you choose C, you are prompted to enter the absolute destination path.
If you choose I, a message states that the RPMs will be installed in the /opt/dell/srvadmin directory. You can then choose Y to change, or <Enter> to use the default installation path.
When the installation is complete, the script will have an option for starting the services.
Choose N to start the services manually.
Performing an Unattended Installation of the Managed System Software
You can use The Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD's Express Install and Custom Install options for the unattended installation procedure.
Unattended installation allows you simultaneously to install Server Administrator on multiple systems. You can perform an unattended installation by creating an unattended installation package that contains all of the necessary managed system software files.
The unattended installation package is distributed to the remote systems using a software distribution tool from an ISV. After the package is distributed, RPM installs the software.
Creating and Distributing the Express Unattended Installation Package
The Express Install unattended installation option uses the /srvadmin/linux/express-install-with-RAC3 or /srvadmin/linux/express-install-with-RAC4 subdirectory of the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD as the unattended installation package. RPM accesses the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD to install all required Server Administrator components on selected remote systems.
Distributing the Express-Install subdirectory as the Express Unattended Installation Package
Distribute the /srvadmin/linux/express-install-with-RAC3 or /srvadmin/linux/express-install-with-RAC4 subdirectory of the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD to
your target systems.
Configure your ISV software distribution software to execute rpm –i *.rpm from the
subdirectory.
When the ISV software runs, it executes the RPMs to install Server Administrator on each remote system.
Creating and Distributing the Custom Unattended Installation Package
The Custom Install unattended installation option creates an unattended installation package in a directory on your system's hard drive. To create an unattended installation package, see the procedure outlined in "Custom Install."
Distributing Unattended Installation Packages
The custom unattended installation package is located in the directory you created in the preceding step 6 of the custom installation (see "Custom Install"). This directory contains all of the RPMs for the managed system software components to distribute.
Configure your ISV software distribution software to execute rpm –i *.rpm after the
unattended installation package has been distributed.
Use your ISV distribution software to distribute the unattended installation package to the
remote systems. The RPM command installs Server Administrator on each remote system.
Dependency Check
RPM has a test feature that verifies software dependencies without actually installing any software. To execute this dependency check, type rpm –ihv *.rpm –-test. This command is valid for all of the installation types.
NOTE: The rpm command's –-test feature does not perform any hardware verification. It will only check for RPM software dependencies.
Upgrading From Previous Versions
If your system is running Dell OpenManage software prior to version 4.2, uninstall the current version before attempting to install the new version.
Upgrading From Version 4.3 and Greater
For Dell OpenManage software versions 4.3 and later, you can upgrade your system using an RPM or the srvadmin-install.sh shell script. Ensure that all installed components are upgraded when you perform either procedure.
Using the RPM
Log on as root to the system running Red Hat Enterprise Linux that requires the upgraded
managed system components.
Insert the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD into the CD drive on
your system.
If the CD does not mount automatically, use a command similar to the following:
mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom
After the CD mounts, navigate to the RPMS directory by using a command similar to the
following:
cd /mnt/cdrom /srvadmin/linux/RPMS
cd /media/cdrom /srvadmin/linux/RPMS
Upgrade the Red Hat Enterprise Linux system using a single long command or individual
RPMs. The single long command is a combination of RPMs and can be executed by typing
just one command.
To upgrade all the previously installed packages with the single command, type:
Log on as root to the system running Red Hat Enterprise Linux that requires the upgrade.
Insert the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management CD into the CD drive on your
system. If the CD does not mount automatically, type mount /mnt/cdrom.
After the CD mounts, navigate to the shell script subdirectory on the CD by typing one of the
following:
cd /mnt/cdrom/srvadmin/linux/supportscripts
cd /media/cdrom/srvadmin/linux/supportscripts.
Run the following script:
sh srvadmin-install.sh
The script detects any previous version of Server Administrator. If a previous version is installed, a message appears stating the current version and installed components.
For example:
Server Administrator version 4.4.0 is currently installed.
Installed components are:
- srvadmin-omilcore
- srvadmin-hapi
- srvadmin-deng
- srvadmin-isvc
Next, the script prompts you with the following message:
Do you want to upgrade Server Administrator to 4.5.0?
Press ('y' for yes | 'Enter' to exit):
Select y to upgrade the system.
Server Administrator is upgraded to version 4.5.0.
Uninstalling Managed System Software
You can uninstall managed system software from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux command line. Additionally, you can perform an unattended uninstallation on multiple systems simultaneously.
Prerequisites for Uninstalling Managed System Software
You must be logged in as root.
Uninstalling Managed System Software From the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Command Line
An uninstallation script is located on the CD under the /srvadmin/linux/supportscripts directory. You can execute the script by typing srvadmin-uninstall.sh and then pressing <Return>, or you can follow this procedure to run the RPM itself:
Log on as root to the system running Red Hat Enterprise Linux where you want to uninstall
the managed system components.
Close any open application programs and disable any virus-scanning software.
NOTE: The following rpm command does not prompt for confirmation to uninstall. After you enter this command, the product will be uninstalled.
NOTE: The ticks in the following command must be back-ticks.
Type the following at a command prompt:
rpm –e `rpm –qa | grep srvadmin`
All of the Dell OpenManage software components are uninstalled.
Custom Uninstallation of Specific Components
Some individual components of Dell OpenManage can be uninstalled without uninstalling all of Dell OpenManage. To uninstall a specific component, you can find the RPM files for the component in the corresponding custom directory. For example, in the add-diagnostics directory you can run the rpm -e command to remove all the associated diagnostics files. Following are examples:
To uninstall only the Web server, use the command:
rpm –e srvadmin-iws
To uninstall diagnostics, use the command:
rpm –e srvadmin-old
To uninstall storage, use the command:
rpm –e srvadmin-storage
Using Dell OpenManage with VMware ESX Server Software
NOTE: Dell OpenManage installation with VMware ESX Server software requires special steps. These steps vary depending on the Dell OpenManage version and ESX Server version; only a limited number of combinations are supported.
See the VMware Systems Compatibility Guide located in the Resource Center at www.dell.com/vmware to determine the versions of ESX Server software compatible with this release of Dell OpenManage. Each ESX Server release from Dell has an associated Dell VMware ESX Server Deployment Guide, also posted at this Web location. Instructions for installing supported versions of Dell OpenManage available at the time of that ESX Server release are found in that ESX Server release's Deployment Guide. Instructions for installing any supported subsequently released versions of Dell OpenManage are posted to the same location in a separate, clearly labeled document.
Managed System Software Installation Using Third-Party
Deployment Software
You can use third-party deployment software, such as Altiris Deployment Solution, to install managed system software onto supported Dell servers. To distribute and install managed system software using Altiris, start your Altiris application and import OpenManage_Jobs.bin located on the Dell PowerEdgeInstallation and Server Management CD at \srvadmin\support\Altiris. Specify a job folder into which to import it. You might need to modify the Run Script and Copy File tasks to match your deployment environment. Once complete, you can then schedule your job to run on the supported Dell systems that are managed from within your Altiris Deployment Solution.
