Checklist: Prepare to distribute software using central site distribution

Before you begin

1. Become familiar with the Overview of tasks to distribute software using central site distribution. This is an overview of the central site distribution process including an outline of the objects saved using option 40 (Create a distribution media) on the GO LICPGM menu.
2. Verify that the target systems have adequate storage space to handle all distributed licensed programs. Refer to Ensuring the server meets disk storage requirements for upgrades to verify adequate storage space.
3. Verify that the central and target systems will be at compatible software and hardware releases after the central site distribution. Refer to the IBM^® eServer™ i5 and iSeries™ System Handbook to determine which i5/OS™ releases can be installed on what models.
4. Verify that the central and target systems will be at compatible i5/OS releases after the central site distribution. Refer to i5/OS Release interoperability to verify this. If you have several iSeries servers in a network, they must be at compatible releases to exchange data or to save and restore objects.
5. Ensure that you do not plan to distribute IBM WebSphere^® Host Publisher. This product does not support save and restore functions and thus cannot be distributed. To install IBM WebSphere Host Publisher on the target system, refer to the iSeries Access for Web site .
6. Ensure that all program temporary fixes (PTFs) are applied to the central system. For more information about PTFs in the central site distribution process, refer to Central site distribution of program temporary fixes (PTFs).
7. Ensure the central system is stable. You may want to test the central system for a few weeks to ensure stability.

Prepare to distribute software from a central system

1. Select the installation method for the target systems. Choose automatic installation or manual installation as described in Installation methods for the target systems.
2. If you chose the automatic installation method in step 1, select or customize one of the following installation profiles.
   • Replace current release (QRPLRELLVL)
   • Install new system (QINSNEWSYS)
   • IBM replace current release (QIBMRPLRLS)
   • Change primary language (QCHGPRILNG)
   You can also create your own installation profile. For more information, refer to Installation profiles for central site distribution.
3. Select the distribution media. Select image catalog, tape, digital video disc (DVD), or CD-ROM as described in Types of distribution media for central site distribution.
4. Prepare the license information of products that use i5/OS license management. Refer to Prepare software license information for central site distribution.
5. Create an installation program for the target system. Automatically restore additional libraries and other objects that you plan to save on the distribution media. Refer to Optional: Write a user-defined installation program for the target systems.
6. Consider compressing and decompressing licensed programs. Compress licensed programs using the Compress Object (CPROBJ) command. For information, refer to Licensed program compression and decompression for central site distribution.
7. If you selected image catalog as the distribution media, go to Optional: Prepare the central system for virtual images.

When you are finished

1. Record your selections of the installation method for the target systems, the installation profile, and the distribution media.
2. Record a strategy for distributing licensed information and ensure that information is ready to distribute.
3. Ensure your user-defined program works as expected.

Next topic: When you have completed the tasks in this checklist, go to Checklist: Create central site distribution media.