AIX DESKTOP SERVICES INTRODUCTION AIX Service is a service and support environment for the AIX desktop. Brief high level overview is as follows: - Download from diskette or from FTP - Environment installs on user's system - Utilizes a web browser to provide the GUI - Information subscriptions (user slected) - AIX Service updates available via e-mail or FTP (No updates are sent automatically. You must initiate the updates.) - Links to free and fee AIX services on the internet __________________________________________________________________________ SYSTEM PREREQUISITES - AIX Version 3.2.5 or later - AIXWindows - X11R5 - Web browser (Netscape version 2.0 or later recommended.) - Two-way Email access to the AIX Service Server via the Internet -------- or -------- Internet HTTP access (Without the email or internet access, you will still be able to use some of the AIX service tools, but you will have limited access to service information and no way to stay up-to-date.) _________________________________________________________________________ STARTING AIX SERVICE INSTALLATION You must be root in order to install AIX Service. 1. Log in as superuser (if not already) If you "su" to root, please specify the "-" option as follows: # su - 2. cd /usr/sys/inst.images as superuser 3. rm .toc (if the file ".toc" exists) 4. ftp service.boulder.ibm.com Name (service.boulder.ibm.com:root): anonymous Password: your@email.address ftp> cd aix/tools/pitstop ftp> bin ftp> get aixservice.install ftp> bye 5. Enter "smitty install_latest" from the command line. With the cursor on the "INPUT device / directory for software" line, press F4. Select "/usr/sys/inst.images" and then press Enter. With the cursor on the "SOFTWARE to install" line, press F4. Find the line that reads: + 2.0.0.0 IBM AIX Service Desktop Environment" or @ 2.0.0.0 IBM AIX Service Desktop Environment" Move the cursor to that line and press F7 to select. Then press Enter. NOTE: If you are trying to reinstall the SAME VERSION, set the "AUTOMATICALLY install requisite software?" to "no" and set "OVERWRITE same or newer versions?" to "yes". The SMIT menu should look as follows: * INPUT device / directory for software /usr/sys/inst.images * SOFTWARE to install [@ 2.0.0.0 IBM AIX Ser> + PREVIEW only? (install operation will NOT occur) no + COMMIT software updates? yes + SAVE replaced files? no + AUTOMATICALLY install requisite software? no + EXTEND file systems if space needed? yes + OVERWRITE same or newer versions? yes + VERIFY install and check file sizes? no + Include corresponding LANGUAGE filesets? yes + DETAILED output? no + Press Enter to begin the installation. On the "ARE YOU SURE?" message, press Enter again. 6. When installation is complete, smit should show the OK status. Use page-down key to verify that the install was successful. The bottom of the smit scroll window should show: Installation Summary -------------------- Name Level Part Event Result ----------------------------------------------------------------------- service.rte 2.0.0.0 USR APPLY SUCCESS NOTE: If instead you see the message: Already installed then you need to press F3 and go back to Step 5 and set "AUTOMATICALLY install requisite software?" to "no" and set "OVERWRITE same or newer versions?" to "yes". To exit smitty, press F10. _________________________________________________________________________ STARTING AIX SERVICE INSTALLATION Once Service has been installed, you can start the AIX Service installation process by typing from the command line: -- Log in as superuser # cd /usr/lpp/service/install # ls -- You should see the following files: LICENSE svc_aixserv_install.sh README install_service.sh tempservd aixservice.tar.Z untrans Determine the full-path to your browser (you will need it during the next step). For example, type "whence netscape". If the browser is in your "PATH" you will see a response such as "/usr/local/bin/netscape". This is the full-path to your browser. Then type the following from the command line: # ./install_service.sh This program will display its progress as it proceeds. You will have to enter your browser path in Step 1 and check and enter your DISPLAY variable in Step 4. 1. Checking for Web browser The AIX Service requires the use of a Web browser. Netscape (TM) Navigator 2.0 or later is recommended. Please enter the full-path-name of your browser below or just press Enter to exit the installation. Please enter the full-path name of your browser: Type the full-path name, e.g., /usr/local/bin/netscape. Then press the Enter key. 2. Checking for the temporary daemon. Please wait.... 3. Installing the temporary Service Daemon. Please wait.... /usr/lpp/service/install/tempservd [11464] started on port [21167] Server Working Directory: /usr/lpp/service - serviced may not have started successfully. - Installation continuing. 4. Setting up /usr/bin/service link. We need to set your DISPLAY variable so we can start the web browser /usr/local/bin/netscape to complete the installation. Please enter the DISPLAY variable below for example "machine_name:0" (don't forget the ":0" or other suffix) and press Enter. Enter DISPLAY (): 5. The installation will continue using your Web browser. Please wait until your browser comes up to complete the installation. + Starting the browser /usr/local/bin/netscape.... Please be patient.... Please wait.... NOTE 1: If the browser does NOT come up, try to fix the problem and restart this installation by typing: /usr/lpp/service/install/install_service.sh from the command line. NOTE 2: If your Netscape browser DOES come up, but this "pop up" appears: "The requested item could not be loaded by proxy. Netscape Proxy's network connection was refused by the server: localhost:21167 The server may not be accepting connections or may be busy. Try connecting again later. " Select "Options", then "Network Preferences..." from the Netscape top menu bar. Then select "Proxies" and "No proxies" from "Network Preferences" pop up. Then exit Netscape and restart this installation by typing: /usr/lpp/service/install/install_service.sh from the command line. _________________________________________________________________________ COMPLETE AIX SERVICE INSTALLATION USING BROWSER Once you the browserhas started, the install process will continue. Each step of the process will be displayed in your browser. If you exit the install, you can at any time start it over again. For the most part the installation will proceed without intervention. However, there are several points where your input may be required. STEP 1. ACCEPT LICENSE AGREEMENT Select "View License Agreement" to read the agreement. Then select "Accept Terms" or "Exit Install". If you decline terms the installation process will stop. If you accept terms, the installation will continue. STEP 2. STOP SERVICE DAEMON If a serrvice daemon ("serviced") is currently running, it will be stopped. STEP 3. CHECK FOR PREVIOUS INSTALL AIX services files and scripts are installed under the directory /usr/lpp/service/aixservice. If you are reinstalling AIX services, the files may already exist, so the following message will be displayed: "Directory /usr/lpp/service/aixservice is in use. Perhaps Service has been installed before. "Continuing will overwrite existing files in the /usr/lpp/service/aixservice directory." Select "Install AIX Service Files" to continue with the installation. The AIX services files and scripts will be overwritten with the later versions. Information files you may have downloaded during prior use of the AIX services will not be deleted. STEP 4. CHECK FOR FREE SPACE If there is enough free space in /usr/lpp/service/aixservice, the browser will display "Sufficient space" and continue. If there is not enough space, the amount of space needed will be displayed. At that point you may take steps to correct the problem such as: -- Increase the size of the /usr/lpp/service filesystem using "smit fs". -- Create a symbolic link from /usr/lpp/service/aixservice to another file system, e.g.: # ln -fs /other/filesystem/directory /usr/lpp/service/aixservice Then select "Continue?" to try again. STEP 5. CHECK SERVICE GROUP AIX service uses a user named "service" and group "staff" as the owner of the service files and script and as the user that runs the cgi-scripts. The standard AIX installation provides a group "staff". So typically the browser will report "Group staff exists" and continue. If for some reason this group has been removed from your system, recreate it using "smit group" and the standard defaults. And then continue the installation or start it over again. STEP 6. CREATE SERVICE USER The user "service" will be created if it does not exist. If it already exists, you will be asked if this user may be used by AIX services. STEP 7. CREATE MAIL HANDLING USER The user "pscmail" will be created if it does not exist. If it already exists, you will be asked if this user may be used by AIX services for automated email handling. Click on "Use pscmail" to continue. STEP 8. INSTALL AIX SERVICE FILES Installs the AIX Service files and scripts into the /usr/lpp/service/aixservices directory. STEP 9. SET FILE OWNERSHIP AND PERMISSIONS Sets the correct file ownership and permissions. STEP 10. CREATE AIX SERVICE CONFIGURATION FILE Creates the file /usr/lpp/service/aixservice/bin/AIXService.cfg. STEP 11. CREATE LINKS TO AIX SERVICE Creates the symbolic link to /Service and /PitStop. STEP 12. CREATE LINK TO STARTUP SCRIPT Creates a link to /usr/bin/service from /usr/lpp/service/aixservice/bin/service to startup AIX services from the command line. STEP 13. START SERVICE DAEMON Starts the service daemon "serviced". STEP 14. INSTALLING THE SERVICE ICON A form is displayed that allows you to install a "Service" icon in either of two locations (or both): -- On your COSE desktop control panel -- Within your COSE Application Manager The "Service" icon allows you to bring up AIX Service in your browser simply by clicking on the icon with your mouse. If you do not have the COSE desktop installed on your computer, this form will not appear. You will go directly to the next configuration task. After installing the Service Icon you have to log out and log back in to make it active. HOWEVER, please continue with Step 15 first so you can register and subscribe to services. STEP 15. START AIX SERVICE The basic AIX Service installation is now complete. Select "Start AIX Service" to bring up "AIX Service" in your browser. "AIX Service" will start on the Registration menu (see following). REGISTERING & SUBSCRIBING TO INFORMATION SERVICES A form will be displayed that requests your name and email address (and other optional information). It also allows you to subscribe to several categories of information: -- AIX Alerts: Information alerting you to problems and fixes available for the RS/6000 and AIX -- AIX Service Newsletter: Information keeping you up-to-date on the latest available AIX service and support news Information you subscribe to will be delivered automatically to your system and you will be notified when new items arrive. You can display the new items by starting AIX Service. NOTE: If you installed the Service Icon in Step 14 (above) you will have to log out and log back in to make it active. __________________________________________________________________________ HOW TO START AIX SERVICES At any point that you want to run AIX services, you can do so as follows: -- You may log in as an ordinary user (you do not need to be superuser) -- If you have installed the service icon on the COSE control panel: - Click on the Service Icon -- If you have installed the service icon on in the Application Manager: - Click on the Application Manager icon (the file drawer) on the COSE control panel - Double-click on "Service tools" - Double-click on "Service" If a browser is already running on your system, it will display the AIX Service main menu. Otherwise your browser will be started to display the AIX Service main menu. -- Alternatively, or if you did not install the Service Icon (or if you do not have COSE) type one of the following at the command line: # service or # /usr/bin/service or # /usr/lpp/service/aixservice/bin/service The AIX Service main menu will be displayed. NOTE: If your Netscape browser comes up with a blank screen and a "pop up" message says you cannot connect to the server... try again later, do the following: Select "Options", then "Network Preferences..." from the Netscape top menu bar. Then select "Proxies" and "No proxies" from "Network Preferences" pop up. Then restart AIX Service from the icon or command line. __________________________________________________________________________ HOW TO GET SUPPORT Email to psserv@austin.ibm.com. Or if you are a Supportline customer, call 1-800-call-aix and specify that you are having problems installing AIX Desktop Services.